Replacing MH with CFL Revisited

[bigleo48]

All,

Saw a video on Kleenrite website about replacing my 250W Metal Halide bulbs with 65W CFLs. I saw some postings about this but they were 3 or 4 years old so I figured I'd revisit it.

First, I did not realize that both bulbs are E39 Mogul base sockets. This makes the change over easy. Just bypass the transformer and capacitor and connect 110VAC direct to the socket. So no cost on the conversion.

It also seems they are about the same size, so they should fit in my Scottsdale fixtures.

It also seems that the CFLs have about the same cool white 4100K color and the same amount of perceived light output.

Price wise is about even with the CFL having a longer lifespan and less decay with instant on.

At 110VAC, that's about a 1/4 of the power consumption. A good savings for no real cost.

Have any of you done this? If so, then what are your perceived results?

Thanks in advance...Big

 

[2Biz]

I started a thread on this about a year ago....

http://forum.autocareforum.com/showthread.php?t=6668

I did some homework and ended up using the 85w CFL's from 1000bulbs.com...

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/8254/FC85-S50OD.html

Because of the length of the bulb, I decided to go with a standard base which gave me an extra 1" inside the fixture. Although, I believe the arm that the base is attached to can be bent upward to allow for this so you can use the 85w mogul base bulbs. I also decided to go with the 5000K Full Spectrum bulb since it is a brighter white light. I have no regrets in using the brighter white bulbs.

I changed all my fixtures over to use CFL's towards the end of March last year and haven't had a single failure. I realized about a 65% savings over the metal halides. Instead of using the 85w bulbs at my vac stations, I used the 40w bulbs. I rarely have anybody use the vacs at night. Its more for security.

3 - 4 months ago, the price for these bulbs sky rocketed...Over $25 ea...I see now they are back down to a respectable $17.19 ea...Something else to consider...

The only thing better than switching to CFL's would be to switch to T5-HO's. But then you have to factor in the cost of fixtures, but the bulbs are much cheaper. So far I have no complaints with the CFL's but would someday like to switch over to the T5-Ho's....

 

[cantbreak80]

2...
You've experienced no cold weather issues with the CFLs? Like slow starting, dimness, failure to illuminate?

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I saw the same KR info in their magazine. I've been slowly converting over to T5HO, but for the fixtures that I haven't replaced yet I figured that when a bulb goes out I'd replace it with a cfl.

Just bypass the transformer and capacitor and connect 110VAC direct to the socket. So no cost on the conversion.

Make sure you check your voltage - my bay lights run 240V, I think thats common. Agreed though, very low cost.

 

[Indiana Wash]

I switched to T5HO's. Single best money savings I have done. It cost me $4000 plus my time. My wash is brighter and more inviting. I am saving $250.00 per month on electricity and probably $40 a month on bulbs. I am very happy with my change.

 

[washnvac]

I have switched about 15 fixtures with no issues. Replacing 175 and 250 mh with the 105 watt full spectrum (5000k) from 1000bulbs.com. No cold issues whatsoever. Nice bright, white light. Also put these in four 400 watt mh fixtures over vacuum stations.

 

[borumrm]

I saw the same KR info in their magazine. I've been slowly converting over to T5HO, but for the fixtures that I haven't replaced yet I figured that when a bulb goes out I'd replace it with a cfl.


Make sure you check your voltage - my bay lights run 240V, I think thats common. Agreed though, very low cost.

So what do you use if you have 240V?

 

[2Biz]

2...
You've experienced no cold weather issues with the CFLs? Like slow starting, dimness, failure to illuminate?

No slow starting, dimming issues, or cold weather issues. They are or appear to be the same brightness as they were when installed a year ago. If you haven't made the switch from high powered Mercury Vapor or Metal Halide bulbs, you're missing out on some significant savings....

 

[washnvac]

So what do you use if you have 240V?

The correct way, would be to add in a step down transformer. The illegal way is to take one hot lead, and use the ground; then tape off the remaining hot lead. I did this on 2 fixtures up high out of any customer reach. I think transformers may be around $70. Or you could rewire the circuit in your breaker panel,at the same time rewiring the light fixtures.

 

[soapy]

My local power company is advertising that the old style T12 flourescent bulbs will no longer be produced after July of this year. If anyone is still using them either stock up on bulbs or change them out now. I was in LOwes last week and saw they had some water proof 4 foot T8 fixtures for around $50. They are 32 watt and would be a cheap fixture if you need any.

 

[MEP001]

So what do you use if you have 240V?

There are 240V mogul base versions.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I think my lighting is 207V. Would the 240V versions work?

 

[washnvac]

There are 240V mogul base versions.

Where are the 240v versions? I have seen 277v versions, but not the 208/240v.

 

[bigleo48]

So far I have no complaints with the CFL's but would someday like to switch over to the T5-Ho's....

Thks...why the T5-HOs over the CFLs? IS it the price of the bulbs? Four T5F54 bulbs still get s to 220 watts, so no real power saving vs a 250W MH. Unless I go from 6 to 3 fixtures.

Would you suggest a T5-Hos fixture in such a wet environment as inside a IBA? I was looking at something like this http://www.prolighting.com/4t5wetlohiba.html

I looked at my Scottsdales in my IBA and they are vertical mounted bulbs, so I don't think a 10" large CFL will fit. Anyway, my fixtures are rotting away and will need to be replaced.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

I looked at my Scottsdales in my IBA and they are vertical mounted bulbs, so I don't think a 10" large CFL will fit. Anyway, my fixtures are rotting away and will need to be replaced.

I've got the same problem. My 320 watt MH bulbs are 8" long with not much room to spare in the fixture for a longer bulb. I've looked and looked for one that would fit without luck.

 

[MEP001]

Where are the 240v versions? I have seen 277v versions, but not the 208/240v.

I used to see them 1000bulbs.com but couldn't find them there now.

why the T5-HOs over the CFLs?

T5HO are quite a bit brighter per watt than CFL's.

 

[2Biz]

Thks...why the T5-HOs over the CFLs? IS it the price of the bulbs? Four T5F54 bulbs still get s to 220 watts, so no real power saving vs a 250W MH. Unless I go from 6 to 3 fixtures.

Would you suggest a T5-Hos fixture in such a wet environment as inside a IBA? I was looking at something like this http://www.prolighting.com/4t5wetlohiba.html

I looked at my Scottsdales in my IBA and they are vertical mounted bulbs, so I don't think a 10" large CFL will fit. Anyway, my fixtures are rotting away and will need to be replaced.

I bought a (2) bulb T5HO fixture to go over my changer. It uses 108w. The amount of light output of the T5HO is very noticable compared to my CFL converted Hubbels. I'll keep my Hubbels for now, but if I ever have the notion to change lenses, I wouldn't waiste the money. I'd buy T5HO's instead. The fixtures are a little over $100 each. I got mine here and the owner is a great person to deal with.

http://www.smartlightingsolutions.com/vapor-wet.html

These fixtures are completely water tight. You can get different lenses, clear impact resistant acrylic or polycarbonate lens...They also come with SS hardware...I would think it would work great in an IBA or where ever you want to put them. I think you'll find you won't need as many as you suggested. A double bulb fixture puts out over 10,000 lumens....

To address your issue with a 10" bulb not fitting in your Scottsdales... Could you possibly change out the mogul base and use a medium base like I did with my Hubbels? It gains you about an inch...

 

[soapy]

I have some 4 bulb T5 Ho in automatic bays and they have worked great. A 4 bulb T5 puts out more light than the 250 MH. I would compare them to a 400 watt MH for usable light output. A 2 bulb T5 is close to a 250 MH for usable light at less than half the wattage and without the light degrading over time like a MH.

 

[Mel(NC)]

If you compare lumens per watt, there is no advantage to converting from MH to CFL's. The output for both degrade over time. Values vary a lot between brands and size but here is rough comparison between the lighting sources:

Source Initial lumens/watt Mean Lumens/watt
MH..................84.............................58
CFL.................65.............................52
T5HO...............93............................ 86
T8HO...............93.............................86

Unless I am missing something, you are getting less light if you are replacing MH bulbs with a smaller wattage CFL. The big savings is going to the T5 or T8 high outputs.

 

[soapy]

Flourescents generally have a higher Kelvin number making the light they do produce more friendly to the human eye. The human eye can in other words process the light better from the CFL.