Security Light: Metal Halide VS High-pressure Sodium????

[LD1]

Wanting to get a security light to keep things lit at night. My motion detectors are costing me too much $$$ to run and maintain. I do like the light they put out though, but with too many close trees, and dogs, they seem to be on more than they are off. And total wattage of them is close to 1200:confused2:

I think 1 security light atop a 30-35' pole will be enough to cover the area I want.

So here's the issue, I DONT LIKE THE ORANGE HPS LIGHT.

My parents still have an old mercury vapor light. I like, but cannot get them anymore (at least that I could find).

After a little research, I think I am sold on the metal Halide. Seems there isnt much difference between MH and MV except avalibility.

So here's the delima: I have a HPS fixture. I dont want to buy a MH fixture. About all the ones at lowes et al are junk and dont get too many good reviews. And the one I have is the one our rural coop uses and they are really good.

I have googled for about the last hour or so and some say there is no issue using a MH in a HPS fixture of the same wattage, and others say you have to buy the conversions bulbs which cost 4x's more.

So...any of you have any experience. Can I stick a 100w MH bulb in this "standard electric company issue" HPS fixture????

 

[rockshaft]

I doubt that would work. I've run halides before (they put out a really nice natural light), but in my case they had special ballasts.

I've personally never liked Mercury Vapor- too cold. I don't care for the sodiums either, but I would choose them over MV.

You should look into LEDs. The local ski trail system I frequent has converted all there trail lights over to high output LEDs and they're very nice. More efficient and have the same output. I'm sure they cost more initially- but you'd make it up on the operational cost over time.

 

[LD1]

Wow, I cant believe no other responses.

I certainly cant be the only one that hates the HPS orange glow and looking for an alternative.:thumbsup:

 

[jonyyuma]

Okay, you get over twice the lighting time from the bulbs with LU.[HPS}..It takes a ballast conversion to convert to MH lamps. I use one of each on my home at diffent ends. The Lu lamp draws twice the bugs to it too...My poles are 6 foot above the eave on house.. Makes for easier changes.. Mercury vapor is harder to find.. I had less trouble from them for years..MH is much prettier lighting.. Like they said what about LED? where?How much?r

 

[jonyyuma]

Oh yeah, the conversion lamps are made by EYE, and they are not fool proof...nor cheap..

 

[LD1]

Okay, you get over twice the lighting time from the bulbs with LU.[HPS}..It takes a ballast conversion to convert to MH lamps. I use one of each on my home at diffent ends. The Lu lamp draws twice the bugs to it too...My poles are 6 foot above the eave on house.. Makes for easier changes.. Mercury vapor is harder to find.. I had less trouble from them for years..MH is much prettier lighting.. Like they said what about LED? where?How much?r

The LED's are really expensive for any that have a good broadcast of light. So that is not even a consideration. I HAVE made up my mind to go with a MH bulb. The sole question I have is weather they will work in the HPS fixture.

HPS AND MH both require a ballast. Again, I am getting mixed info from googling.

Another forum had a member that said the "conversion" bulbs are no different than regular MH bulbs. Just re-labled and 4x's the cost. I dont know much about them but he went into some specifics. About the MH bulb only requires 2 ignitors and the HPS needed 3. And THAT is why the MH will work with a HPS ballast/fixture BUT not Vice versa. Just wanting to confirm that. Because I already have a used 100w HPS light/fixture, and was wondering if it would work if I put a 100W MH bulb in it.

Since the bulbs are only ~$15, I might just get one and try it out if I dont get a definitive answer by then.:thumbsup:

 

[rockshaft]

LED option
The sky is the limit on price, but here is one that looks promising:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Waterpoof-Security-Floodlight-Ledwholesalers-3703WH/dp/B005QHKHI2/ref=sr_1_17?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1331074006&sr=1-17]Amazon.com: 70 Watt LED Waterpoof Outdoor Security Floodlight 85-264 Volt Ac Bright White By Ledwholesalers, 3703WH: Home Improvement[/ame]

 

[brokenknee]

Wow, I cant believe no other responses.

I certainly cant be the only one that hates the HPS orange glow and looking for an alternative.:thumbsup:

Naw, your not the only one. I am just to cheap to change. I pay the power company $8 bucks a month year round. Something goes wrong they fix it. I hate the color, but put up with it for the convenience.

 

[rockshaft]

I had our utility company remove our pole mounted MV. I prefer having lights I can switch on/off.

 

[mrmikey]

I prefer having lights I can switch on/off.

Ditto. I moved out here from the burbs and I loved the dark. I even had a sodium light that was at the end of my driveway removed because I too wanted lights I controlled. Now the neighbor across the street got a sodium light installed on a pole at the end of her yard, almost where mine was origonally, grrrrr.
Saying that, I have a flourex light Lights of America 65W Fluorex Floodlight (White) (9265) over the door to my garage, it's bright but I think I'm going to replace it with a mercury vapor light 175W Mercury Vapour Light | Princess Auto .
Are the MV lights instant on or do they have a warm up time?.....Mike