Dirty Bulb?

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #1

so I've just noticed somthing on my 400w hps bulb, it looks like the stuff that is left behind when you pull off a sticker. it wasnt there when I got the bulb but I think I may have accidentaly gotten a bit of water on it when I was spraying my plants. is this bad? I took the bulb out and tried to clean it but it wouldnt come off ( yes I made sure to use a cloth so I didn't leave any fingerprints on the bulb)

 

MightyBuddha

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #2

It seems like something burned onto the bulb glass... leaf, cloth, could be anything. Don't think you will be able to remove it without destroying the bulb. I think your gonna have to replace it or keep running with it... though that may be risky depending on the chance of bulb failure.

** This advice comes from a non-growing perspective but working with extremely hot lights in a TV production enviornment.

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #3

risky how? like fire hazard risky?

 

MightyBuddha

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #4

In the event the bulb exploded, yeah.

 

mogie

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #5

Replace metal halide bulbs after 1 to 1 1/2 years of use, and replace high pressure sodium bulbs after 1 1/2 to 2 years of use. The bulbs will continue to light beyond this point but have lost as much as 30% of their lumen output while still consuming the same amount of electricity.

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #6

too bad my bulb is only 4 days old =(

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #7

but how does having some dirt or whatever the hell is on my bulb make it explode?

 

mogie

Well-Known Member

• Dec 5, 2006

• #8

If there is something foreign on the bulb and it gets hot it can explode. People that are into foliar feeding are warned about being very careful around their bulbs. The water spashing onto the bulb can be a diaster.

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 6, 2006

• #9

so should I replace it then?

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 6, 2006

• #10

and is that what you think it is? water?

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 6, 2006

• #11

just checked the room and its up to 34 *C gonna turn off the light and light up my little 50watt halogen to give em a bit of juice hopefully i can get a new bulb by tomoro

 

Biggietalls

Well-Known Member

• Dec 6, 2006

• #12

just put a little bit of paint/laquer thinner on a cloth and wipe it off

 

charbroiled

Well-Known Member

• Dec 7, 2006

• #13

used some lighter fluid and it worked fine tnx for the idea biggie

 

Biggietalls

Well-Known Member

• Dec 7, 2006

• #14

no problem