Lighting,,and no help in the FAQ section.

[louisville97]

To all the Imperial Leaders that know all. I am in the process of upgrading an extremely efficient refrigerator/grow cabinet. I am needing help on the positioning of the 400w metal halide bulb. I am converting from a vertical MH bulb to a horizontal mount. I am told that the bulb must be mounted a certain way, or it runs the risk of exploding due to the sheer mass of the element sagging when it gets hot. I have seen Cool Tubes using horizontal mounted MH bulbs, and all of the Mogul sockets are listed as being "positionable" to ensure correct alignment of the bulb. I can mount my bulb and socket any way I choose, but I need to know what position the bulb should be in after mounting. ie. element up, down, sideways left, sideways right,,,etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton in advance.

Bruce

[turtle420]

I am told that the bulb must be mounted a certain way, or it runs the risk of exploding due to the sheer mass of the element sagging when it gets hot.
Hello... :)

I don't think that what you've been told is right. That bulbs aren't that shitty.

As for positioning, I would place it sideways... ;)

[justaseed]

if the bulb is a unversal position bulb you can mount it anyway yo want. otherwise it has to be horizontal.

be careful what you post turtle. there are alot of bulbs that can only be mounted horizontally. you don't want to post incorrect info.

[louisville97]

I don't know if it makes any difference, but all my ballasts were originally vertical bulb units. So you don't think it will cause any harm if I switch it over to horizontal and paying no attention to bulb position? I was curious as to why the sockets for the horizontal ones specified bulb position. They are only 400w and don't throw off near as much heat as all my 1000w do, so I thought it would be okay to convert. I just read justa's second part and I think I might try to contact a bulb or ballast manufacturer and see what they say. All of the ballasts I have were made only about 10 miles from here so I might give them a shout on Monday morning. I have seen many MH parking lot and security lights mounted sideways but was told you shouldn't. Thanks again.

[turtle420]

if the bulb is a unversal position bulb you can mount it anyway yo want. otherwise it has to be horizontal.

be careful what you post turtle. there are alot of bulbs that can only be mounted horizontally. you don't want to post incorrect info.
That's a new one for me... thanks for the correction. :)

[DoctorFeelGood]

I don't know if it makes any difference, but all my ballasts were originally vertical bulb units. So you don't think it will cause any harm if I switch it over to horizontal and paying no attention to bulb position? I was curious as to why the sockets for the horizontal ones specified bulb position. They are only 400w and don't throw off near as much heat as all my 1000w do, so I thought it would be okay to convert. I just read justa's second part and I think I might try to contact a bulb or ballast manufacturer and see what they say. All of the ballasts I have were made only about 10 miles from here so I might give them a shout on Monday morning. I have seen many MH parking lot and security lights mounted sideways but was told you shouldn't. Thanks again.


The bulbs wont explode unless you break them.
However hanging a bulb incorrectly will reduce its life ALOT.
For example I have a 400W MH/HPS switchable ballast, Horizontal bulbs I must let my light cool until I can touch it without burn before I can move it(raise or lower)My reflector(bulb holder) is on chains I have to move 1 at a time so at moving my bulb its position will go from - to / and if its hot my bulb will deteriorate at a rapid rate. If you do this when its real hot it may not come on again I had one do this to me my supplier asked a few questions then explained why it happened.
Contact your supplier they will be able to help you more than anyone here can.
DFG

[Zandor]

What is the exact part number and manufacture of the bulb in question?

That will tell me if it is a universal bulb or not. 99% of all bulbs sold in hydro stores are universal bulbs these day's. The transformer is remote is it not? The mog socket does not care how it's hung and will work in any position.

[latewood]

just make sure that you fasten the mogul base to a metal electrical box w/cover that attached to something rigid (i.e. attached around the hole in your box sidewall), will support the weight a 400w-1000w base/lamp.:)