Replacement for mercury vapor light

[cobrabob]

HD had a outdoor flourecent light that replaces a mercury vapor light. Light output is claimed to be the same but is less wattage therfore saving electricity. Has anyone tried these?
They also had a replacement flourecent bulb that screws directly into the mercury vapor housing. This doesn't seem possible.

 

[SteveU]

What was the wattage & price on these bulbs? I have a mercury light that the sensor is bad so whenever the switch is on it is running even in bright sunshine, a bulb like that would be a big help for the times we forget to turn it off.

 

[mulepackin]

What was the wattage & price on these bulbs? I have a mercury light that the sensor is bad so whenever the switch is on it is running even in bright sunshine, a bulb like that would be a big help for the times we forget to turn it off.

The electric eye is an easily replaced, readily available item. No matter what type of bulb you are burning, at least replace the eye. Don't give the electric co. any more of your hard earned cash than you have to.

 

[Junkman]

What was the wattage & price on these bulbs? I have a mercury light that the sensor is bad so whenever the switch is on it is running even in bright sunshine, a bulb like that would be a big help for the times we forget to turn it off.

I purchased my mercury vapor light from HD a few years ago, and when the sensor went bad, I called Cooper Industries, and they send me free replacement parts. This was about 3 years ago, so I don't know if they have changed the policy about replacement parts being free. Mine are 175 watts, and I am very happy with them. I don't know if there is a fluorescent bulb that will interchange with the mercury vapor bulb, but if there is, and it give out the same amount of light, I would consider it for the energy savings. The question of replacement bulb cost vs. energy savings also has to be calculated. Not all energy saving items are cost effective.

 

[cobrabob]

They had 40 watt for $25 on sale and 65 watt lights I think for $47.

 

[Junkman]

They had 40 watt for $25 on sale and 65 watt lights I think for $47.

Was that the bulb only or the complete fixture including bulb?

 

[cobrabob]

That's the complete fixture. I found it on the HD web site but I don't know how to add a link to this post. Sorry!

 

[cobrabob]

Oh, they also had a flourecent bulb only that can be used in the old mercury vapor fixture.

 

[ranger_dood]

I'd be curious to see how well a flourescent bulb would work outdoors, in sub-freezing temperatures. Most of the flouro's I've seen are very sensitive to cold, and will either not light, or be very dim until they generate enough heat to light themselves. In my dad's detached garage, I usually have to run the jet heater for 10 minutes or so before all the lights will come on.

 

[cobrabob]

I didn't realize HD has reviews of the products sold and although there are only 2 reviews so far, they have rated them poor for the reasons ranger dood pointed out. Sorry I didn't see that sooner.

 

[SteveU]

I'd be curious to see how well a flourescent bulb would work outdoors, in sub-freezing temperatures. Most of the flouro's I've seen are very sensitive to cold, and will either not light, or be very dim until they generate enough heat to light themselves. In my dad's detached garage, I usually have to run the jet heater for 10 minutes or so before all the lights will come on.

I have one of the spiral twist fluorescent screw in bulbs in the overhang to my porch. I turn it on each morning & it has never failed to light even when it is below 0* F though it is real dim for the first few moments then comes up to full brightness within a couple minuites. I wouldn't have a problem with this amount of delay since the mercury light does the same thing as long as it actually does come up to full brightness.