Ever seen these types of lights?

[e-tek]

Was at my local Habitat Re-Store today and saw these lights. I don't know much about lights, but could they be high output Sodium or Metal-Halide types? They were listed at $18 each! If they are some kind of super-light that I could retro-fit into my shop, I may grab some....

The ones in front were listed at $50:

 

[ForceFed70]

They certainly look like an HID of some type. And Likely very bright.

Unfortuantely, you need to be careful with this lighting. In general - the stuff that is reasonably energy efficient gives out a poor quality of light. Whereas the stuff with good light quality runs hot and ***** back the juice.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The long ones actually look like street lamps and the round ones look like MH(metal halide) but could be HPS(high pressure sodium). Unfortunately, as 'forcefed' said, they do **** quite a bit of juice! FL(fluorescents) are probably a better bet for most home shops! The other thing u have to watch for is some HID lighting is rated for 277v or 480v(highway and street lamps), though many ballasts are multi volt. But of course, the only way to really know is to read the label!

 

[rockchucker]

The Street Lamps are 1000w HPS from the look of it and the other ones are Metal Halide. Either of those are going to pump out some SERIOUS heat and not really put out a good light for work environment. Just my opinion of course.

You may want to try some T-5 fixtures with some alternating Red Spectrum and Blue Spectrum Bulbs. I use this style of Lighting in my shop and it is like daylight. Compared to the power of what the lights you posted are going to **** up you could throw 4- 4 Bulb T-5's with the right Bulbs in there and get a LOT more usable light.

They are not cheap...


https://www.accessfixtures.com/product-p/ss-hb-4-t5-ge.htm

But they are WELL worth the money.


For Bulbs I would get alternating ~3000k and 6000k. By alternating I mean use half of one style and half of the other to mimic real Daylight.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

A clear close up of the data tags on both of them would certainly help.

Charles

 

[Norcal]

Those are LPS, Low Pressure Sodium, horrible shop lights because of their monochromatic color, yellow, but do make good security lighting.

http://www.nofs.navy.mil/about_NOFS/staff/cbl/LPSnet/LPS-references.html

http://www.edisontechcenter.org/SodiumLamps.html

Wattages avail. are 18,35,55,90,135,180 watts the ones pictured are most likely either 35 or 55W.

 

[Drew_flux]

they look like the lights at the local sports field. not as bright as a hid but not as power hungry either. I can only remember changing 3 or 4 out of the 50 on site.

 

[ddawg16]

The fact that someone took them down is a pretty good clue that it's not worth your time to put them up.

But....I would have stopped and had a second look as well.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The fact that someone took them down is a pretty good clue that it's not worth your time to put them up.

But....I would have stopped and had a second look as well.

Good point. Who knows if they even work!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The fact that someone took them down is a pretty good clue that it's not worth your time to put them up.

But....I would have stopped and had a second look as well.

Many times lighting is removed not because it is obsolete but rather due to remodeling of a business or building, or for slight gains in energy efficiency. Remember, improvements that result in energy efficiency is very likely a special tax write or incentive and may also be a capital project that can be totally written off in one year, when a company needs a tax deduction. Its not always about age or efficiency.

Also, because lighting is "old style" or not as energy efficient as the new stuff you can buy (if you have enough money) does not mean the lights won't preform quite well, and for the little use they may see, they will be a good bargain or compromise. I have Metal Halide 400w fixtures with translucent acrylic reflectors. They are very attractive, and provide lots of light, but are the older probe start type, and certainly not as energy efficient as later T8 and T5 fixtures.

They were removed from Wal-Mart and Sams Club stores in the Atlanta area. The main reason they were removed was liability. They are old enough that they do not have a bottom lens on them, and a shattered bulb will rain hot glass down on customers and if the outer glass breaks on the bulb, they will continue to work, but customers will be exposed to lots of UV that can cause major burns in short order. The secondary reason they were removed was efficiency. When you have as much lighting as Wal-Mart has, even a slight improvement in efficiency makes a huge difference in the power bill. I bought the 13 fixtures (#13 is a spare) for $500 several years ago, and have made very good use of them. They were all on last night for the first time in a very long time, and it was nice to have them, but I really would feel bad if I had paid several thousand to install all new, up to date, efficient fixtures that would only have saved me a few dollars at the most on power bills over these several years.

Charles

 

[knobby]

Those are LPS, Low Pressure Sodium, horrible shop lights because of their monochromatic color, yellow, but do make good security lighting.

http://www.nofs.navy.mil/about_NOFS/staff/cbl/LPSnet/LPS-references.html

http://www.edisontechcenter.org/SodiumLamps.html

Wattages avail. are 18,35,55,90,135,180 watts the ones pictured are most likely either 35 or 55W.

one of the oldest forms of HID very good lumen to watt ratio and the best lumen maintenance of HIDs lots of mercury in the lamps tho

very good yard security lights if that is what you are looking for

also the lamps are position oriented and need to be mounted horizontal or the operating life will be reduced considerably

 

[Kevin54]

If it's a Habitat ReStore, make them an offer on one light, then take it home and try it. Habitat ReStores will negotiate when it comes to selling things. Offer them $9 or $10 for one. If it doesn't work, then you're not out much. If you have a garage sale sometime, put it in there for $15 and someone will more than likely buy it. Or ask the ReStore if you can have one to try and if it works, you'll be back to buy more, and if it doesn't work, you'll bring it back. Our local Restore will negotiate all the time.