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November 20, 2008 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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fluorescent grow lights
Did I read somewhere on here that florescent lights lose some of their light power after using for a seed starting season and should be replaced each year? I hate to say that mine are going on their 4th season so if that is true, I better replace this year.
Sue |
November 20, 2008 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brownville, Ne
Posts: 3,284
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I am with you. My bulbs have been in place four years at least and seem to give pretty good results. I think I will replace some of the older bulbs this year. Any bulbs that flicker or are noticeably dimmer than the others are gone. Maybe a sticker with the year changed on the fixture will help and then change out the bulbs on a four or five year rotation.
I do remember this topic from a year or so ago somewhere had some pretty specific information on percentage of light reduction after so much time. I am sure one of the light technicians will chime in.
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November 20, 2008 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mid-Ohio
Posts: 847
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Those of us who grow ornamental plants year round under fluorescent lights (on for 16 hours a day every day) often change out tubes once a year if we want good flowering on light loving species. Technically, after about 8-10 months (how many hours is that?) the output starts to drop steeply, and then the curve flattens out at a lower output for years before they decide to burn out.
For seed starting one month a year new tubes will last forever. When you are trying to get orchids to flower well you need alot more light than when you are just trying for vegetative growth. |
November 20, 2008 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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I use them approx. 3 months each year so that would be a total of 9 months of use to date.
Sue |
November 20, 2008 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 2,618
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Very easy to decide what to do.
1. Get a new tube and put it in. 2. Put it next to your old ones and compare. 3. If you can't see a difference, don't change. 4. If the old ones look dimmer, time to change. dcarch
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November 21, 2008 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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Here is a graph. T8 flourescent is the one for most people's
standard 4' flourescent lights (40 watt bulbs, 80 watt fixtures): http://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/te...with_time.html (There is lots of good info on that site.) Edit: Should be "T12 flourescent is the one for most people's standard 4' flourescent lights ..."
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November 21, 2008 | #7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 2,618
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Quote:
Also keep in mind that for all lights requiring ballasts, electronic ballasts will make the lights last much longer. (most new flourescent fixtures have E. ballasts). dcarch
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November 21, 2008 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mid-Ohio
Posts: 847
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Thanks for posting that, I did not know that the T-8s held their output better than the T-12s. It looks like dirt accumulation has alot to do with declining output too.
I think the T-8s are only 32 watts = more efficient. The older T-12s were 40watts, then dropped to 38 watts. Most of the cheaper shoplights fixtures still use the thicker T-12s unless that has changed in the last two years. (For those of you who don't know, the number represents tube diameter in 1/12 inches, I forget what the "T" stands for.) |
December 2, 2008 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Santa Ana, Calif.
Posts: 13
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Thanks for the website - I'll check it out. I only use my bulbs once a year for about a month.
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January 18, 2009 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 104
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I wonder if the compact fluorescent light bulbs would work?
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January 18, 2009 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 2,618
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Yes, CFL works, except they are not as efficient. High wattage CFL are expensive, and they last about 8,000 hours. Tubes last 20,000 hours.
dcarch
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February 14, 2009 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 27
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type of flourescent tubes?
Wondering which are the best types? I believe the higher the color temperature, the closer to daylight they're supposed to be?
I got some of these: Philips 4 Ft. F40 T12 Spectrum Lamp, 40 Watt Daylight Deluxe Fluorescent Bulb (2-Pack) specs:
Jackster |
November 21, 2008 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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Mine are the 1 1/2", 40 watt bulbs. How does one know if they have electronic ballasts? The fixtures are 5-6 years old. Sounds like a good cleaning will brighten them some. Thanks for the graph.
Sue |
November 21, 2008 | #14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 2,618
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Quote:
Electronic is smaller and on the ballast it will sometimes say electronic. I would throw away magnetic ballast fixtures and get the new ones. It pays soon enough. If you are into tinkering. With electronic ballasts you can try "over driving" the lamps for more light output. dcarch
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November 21, 2008 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Unfortunately, not all electronic ballasts are created equal. Couldn't overdrive my Phillips electronic ballasts. Ami
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