Yard Light/Yard Pole Light

[Mufrat62]

After about 10 years of use the light in our yard light finally gave up. I climbed up the pole and took the bulb out but also decided to change the dusk to dawn eye. Tonight it stays on for about 5 minutes and then goes out for about 1 then back on. I know if I let this go on it will likely just end up with the bulb wearing out early. Any thoughts on what could be wrong?? The dusk to dawn eye looks exactly the same as the old one.

 

[trbomax]

Is this an old merc/vapor light? I had the last remaining one on the property do that,I was told the ballast was tired and wouldnt keep the gas excited. Anyway,I just replaced it last week with an 85w compact unit from HD,on sale for $29 ! The light is 2x better!

 

[Mufrat62]

Yes , it may just be wore out. Will likely have to replace it as you have done. What colour light is it now- white or the orangeish colour light>

 

[Random Guy]

Make sure you used the correct wattage and type of lamp for your yard light. The ballasts in those fixtures are for specific types and wattages of lamp, and will behave strangely if lamped incorrectly. Also, make sure that when the lamp warms up, the light isn't reflecting off something and making it turn off.

 

[trbomax]

Yes , it may just be wore out. Will likely have to replace it as you have done. What colour light is it now- white or the orangeish colour light>

They are full spectrum,white.My mistake,65w/500w equivelent.

 

[djkyle65]

After about 10 years of use the light in our yard light finally gave up. I climbed up the pole and took the bulb out but also decided to change the dusk to dawn eye. Tonight it stays on for about 5 minutes and then goes out for about 1 then back on. I know if I let this go on it will likely just end up with the bulb wearing out early. Any thoughts on what could be wrong?? The dusk to dawn eye looks exactly the same as the old one.

What type of light was it? If it was the sodium (orange light) then it will most likely be the bulb i have worked on quite a few of those with that problem.

 

[Mufrat62]

Your messages got me to checking my work to date. I got the old bulb and compared it with the picture of the package from the new bulb I installed. The image on the box looked similar but not quite as well the package read Mercury Vapour. I took the old bulb and compared it with a High Pressure Sodium and I think I had installed the wrong bulb. Mostly my fault I guess as I should have double checked it. I had bought the new bulb at Canadian Tire store and I had been looking at the bulb section when a nice employee sees me and sees the used bulb in my hand. He points to the package I was looking at and says, "thats the one you need". I thanked him for the info and thought - what a good sales person. Well I bought a High Pressure Sodium and installed it so we will see what happens tonight. I'll post what happens when it gets dark. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[Random Guy]

Did the old bulb give off a bluish-white light, or more of a golden yellow light?

 

[Mufrat62]

Random-It gave off a yellowish orange light. I changed to a new bulb last night and works great- yellowish orange light.

 

[Random Guy]

Random-It gave off a yellowish orange light. I changed to a new bulb last night and works great- yellowish orange light.

Yep, yellow orange means it is high pressure sodium.