Barn light bulbs

[ct71rr]

Hello all, for those of us with Barn Lights (exterior); What are you using for bulbs? I'm having a tough time finding them. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mustang51js]

I don't have a barn but I have hooked up metal halide lights on them. Basically it's whatever light you want

 

[ct71rr]

I don't have a barn but I have hooked up metal halide lights on them. Basically it's whatever light you want

Are metal halide bulbs ok for exterior use?

 

[lbmcse]

Are metal halide bulbs ok for exterior use?

In a suitable enclosure, yes. The bulb itself is rarely rated for indoor/outdoor/wet/damp etc. conditions. The fixture, or housing, is the deciding factor. The classic "barn light" fixture is suitable for wet conditions, but the ballast to drive a M.H. bulb will have to be located remotely, as it's just too big. Just read the enclosed documentation to confirm that the one you choose suits your needs. You should be fine.

 

[rburke65]

I have clear filament bulbs and CFLs in my outside fixtures. They are mostly for ascent lightly though. I do not keep the outside of the shop lighted as a rule.

 

[Norcal]

Are metal halide bulbs ok for exterior use?

Metal Halide lamps operate at a high temperature & most are not rated for a unenclosed fixture, & lamps smaller then 175 watts are pulse type & need a pulse rated lampholder because they require a high voltage igniter to start, a standard lampholder is not suitable.

There is a maximum distance between the lamp & ballast, for that information the ballast manufacturer or their catalog would have to be consulted.

"Barn lights" used incandescent lamps, & larger ones used 300-500 watt lamps with mogul bases, took out a number of 1943 vintage fixtures made by the Smoot-Holman Company w/ intact paper labels on them & in perfect condition that were used w/ 300 watt lamps & a number of ones made by Westinghouse, all were scrapped wish I had kept them. Smoot-Holman was still in business in the late 60's but was gone in the 70's. Westinghouse got out of the lighting biz in the early 1980's.

 

[Mustang51js]

When I said metal halide I was talking about a whole enclosed fixture, I didn't realize you were talking about a certain light when you said barn lights,I thought you were just asking what kind of light do people use so that's what I meant by anything. If it's something for a standard socket I would think a standard incandescent bulb or cfl would work. Maybe a new led bulb but would prob drop the life of it being exposed to the moisture

 

[Kevin54]

ct71rr.....what type of Barn Lights are you talking about? Are you talking about security lighting like a street light sort of fixture, or are you talking about the porcelain green light fixtures that used to hang outside of old barns and buildings?

 

[ct71rr]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Kevin54, I have the goose neck lights that look like the old porcelain fixtures. The bulbs are exposed on mine. Like this:
http://www.barnlightelectric.com/go...k-lighting/the-old-dixie-gooseneck-light.html

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What sockets do yours have in them? Standard medium base, or mogul base? Incandescent mogul bulbs are difficult to find (not impossible, just not readily available). With Uncle Sam dictating what kinds of light bulbs you must use, incandescent bulbs in general are more difficult to find. I think I would screw in some sort of floodlight bulb. They are available in narrow and wide beams, and while they would not look like you expect the fixture to look, they would be more weatherproof as they are designed to work outdoors, and would probably give you better light.

Charles

 

[Jeff Ivers]

My barn lights use bulbs with a larger than household size base (don't know name). I found adapters that screw in and convert the fixture to acccept normal household size screw-in bulbs and I am now using CFLs in the barn.

 

[Norcal]

My barn lights use bulbs with a larger than household size base (don't know name). I found adapters that screw in and convert the fixture to acccept normal household size screw-in bulbs and I am now using CFLs in the barn.

Mogul base, standard lamps are medium base.

 

[strnge]

Is there a law that requires which kind of lightbulb that you can use exposed outside in a Barn Light?

 

[Random Guy]

Do you have A Home Depot near you? If you do, I'd go check out the Cree LED bulbs they have. They come in 2700 or 5000K, and 40, 60 75, or 100W replacement. Assembled in America and a 10 year warranty. I have a few, and I've been really happy with them so far.

 

[ct71rr]

Do you have A Home Depot near you? If you do, I'd go check out the Cree LED bulbs they have. They come in 2700 or 5000K, and 40, 60 75, or 100W replacement. Assembled in America and a 10 year warranty. I have a few, and I've been really happy with them so far.

I do. I'll have to check those out. I didn't realize they are OK for outdoor use.

Thanks for the info everyone

 

[Random Guy]

They are damp rated, so as long as the fixture shields them from getting wet they should be fine. If you want to be extra safe, they've just come out with a PAR38 unit that is wet rated. It is 3000K, 90W equivalent, and comes in a spot or a flood version. Make sure you pick up the right one, the packages look the same except for one corner.

 

[ct71rr]

Thanks for the info Random Guy!

 

[j p smith]

These are a globe style bulb, 60 watt. I get them from store that only does lighting. If I remember they run about 3 to 4 dollars each. I have mine on dusk to dawn sensors. I don't think I change them more than once a year.

 

[ct71rr]

Thanks j p smith

 

[Norcal]

Found these at a Sacramento Home Depot.



SMUD Sacramento Municipal Utility District was giving a better rebate then PG&E, I bought 5 for a 1930's lighting fixture, much brighter then the CFL's that were used before.