Can I replace metal halide with LED? The Pros and Cons
Today, replacing your old HID bulb with an energy-saving, high-efficiency LED light is pretty ordinary. So, yes, you can change any HID light you want, really. You can switch your metal halide bulb rather quickly as well. But you will also need to remove the ballast and set up the wiring. Alternatively, you can use a LED retrofit with a driver to speed things up.
The old lamps illuminated industrial halls, warehouses, workshops, and large companies. The first metal halide bulbs with a power consumption of around 400 watts were not so cost-effective. Unlike those older models, the current 1000W MH lamps have a slightly better design and components.
Currently, different industrial and commercial LED lamp models are available. Simply put, you can replace the old metal halide fixtures with 3 types of LED lighting solutions for indoor and outdoor applications:
1. Linear LED floodlights
Generally, these projectors replace the old watertight ceiling lights on busways. The power consumption certainly decreases, big advantage you get is the greater light output. Basically, they let you work with adequate lighting in most conditions.
2. Industrial LED lamps
Also known as UFO high bay lights. In detail, these unique lights are ideal to completely replace the old lighting body. Plus, they ensure incredible savings. These projectors are available in several versions. Usually, ranging from 200 to 400 watt. But lately, manufacturers are producing more powerful fittings, as the power requirements change. Besides, the installation height of the lighting plays a critical role. Mostly, you find them in sports facilities and grow rooms.
3. LED bulbs with E27 or E40 socket
Generally speaking, these lights are suitable for replacing 250-1000w metal halide bulbs. Before you install the LED equivalent lights, you have to rewire each housing. Alternatively, you need to safely detach the ballast and convert it by using a retrofit model. These models come with their own instructions. But in general, they use the same screw base to insert the lamp and a driver. The driver is nothing more than a box with the wires you need to connect to the power supply.
The Pros
- LED lights are energy-saving
- Huge model variety
- Better tech means better features and life span
The Cons
- You need to rewire the LED replacement or call a professional
- It takes time to convert several MH bulbs on your own
What is 1000W metal halide LED equivalent?
Like any artificial light source, a 1000W metal halide bulb has a certain lumen output range. That is the first info you need to look out for. That is, if you are going to replace the old MH lamp with a replacement that has the same light output. Because that is what a 1000 watt metal halide LED equivalent does. It gives you the same light intensity. In short, when replacing a metal halide product, the lumen output becomes essential.
This is how you find the equivalent LED light. The equivalent LED light should have more or less the same lumen output to maintain the same brightness and installation height. If you need brighter lights, pick a LED light with up to 10% or 20% more lumens. Broadly speaking, you will find that the 250W to 400W LED light lumen value is equivalent to 1000W metal halide light sources.
Tips on how to install a 1000W metal halide LED replacement
1. Getting the right lumen output of LED lights
When we have to buy a lamp, we often find ourselves faced with a terminology that is not always easy to digest. Especially if it is the first time that you try to convert an MH fixture.
The luminous flux defines the amount of light emitted by a luminaire in one second. For the record, it is measured in lumen (lm). Frequently, this piece of technical data appears in the product spec sheet. Or on the manufacturer’s catalog.
Knowing the lumens of a light bulb and its power gives you an idea of how bright a light source is. You can even measure the lamp energy efficiency by calculating the lumen per watt ratio (lm/W).
So, first, get an equivalent LED replacement or retrofit product list. Then, calculate the lumen per watt ratio to determine which of them is the best deal.
2. Screw base of the 1000W MH equivalent bulb
Make sure to select a suitable screw base for the lamp holder. If you install a LED retrofit, you should not have any problems finding a compatible screw base. After all, the screw base’s only purpose is to hold the whole lighting apparatus.
If you want to convert the lighting system but keep the housing, you still should look out for the same screw base. For example, a compact 1000 watt MH bulb with a MOG screw base could require you to find a LED equivalent with the same size as well. Especially in tight housings.
Mainly, you need to read the fine print on the HID screw base. Depending on the country of production or national standard, you might find:
- E39, E40, or MOG for a mogul screw base
- E26 or E27 for medium screw bases
You must select the same screw base size. Otherwise, you will also have to install a brand-new screw base socket.
3. Color temperature
When you hear experts talking about the light bulb color temperature, they are discussing the luminous flux hue. Each artificial light source emits a yellowish, or bluish, white light. This physical property is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). For most LED products, it ranges from 2,000 to 10,000 K.
Based on this measurement, color temperature is generally divided into cold light, neutral light, and warm light.
Cold light has a bluish hue. Mainly, it is ideal for sports arenas and grow rooms. In detail, the highest performing athletes focus more on slightly bluish lights. Instead, growers use them during the vegetative phase as the blue spectrum stimulates plant growth.
Neutral light is somewhere between 5,000 and 5,5000 K. In brief, it mimics natural daylight. The human eye appreciates this color temperature as it provides the best lighting conditions and reduces eye strain.
Warm light refers to both yellowish lights used in our houses and professional grow rooms. Think about the typical incandescent light bulb. That is approx 3,000 K. Then again, lower K rated lights emit more red and yellow hues, which are ideal for plants’ flowering phase.
4. Beam angle, or lamp shade
The light beam angle refers to a specific slant. In detail, the one created by the artificial light beams when they reach a physical body. Or by the lamp shade, which blocks the luminous flux.
The light beam angle ranges between 10 and 120%, measured as a percentage of arc degrees. In brief, the lower the percentage, the more direct and intense the light. By contrast, the higher the number, the wider the light beam angle will be.
In order to categorize varying beams of light, we could group them as follows:
- 10 to 20%. Very focused light, suitable for illuminating actors or surfaces. Also known as spotlights, you can find them in a theater or a museum. In this case, the luminous flux is very intense.
- 20 to 60%. This is the standard floodlight beam angle. For reference, the one in shops and domestic environments. The light beam is soft and wide.
- Over 60%. Very wide and light beam. Primarily, used to illuminate offices, hotel lobbies, large public offices, gyms, and warehouses.
5. Bypassing the ballast
The starter and the ballast are two components that you do not need when using a LED replacement. Moreover, using any incompatible devices with a LED light will result in over wattage or failure. So, you have to bypass the ballast and remove the starter.
For the best results, you should remove the ballast safely after cutting the wires going to the device. If you leave it there, it will only take place and make things more difficult. Especially if you need to secure the LED retrofit driver or do some cabling.
Of course, you need to kill the power before attempting any ballast removal. Remove the lamp holder or anything that might obstruct the following steps. Cut the two wires (neutral and hot) as close as the physical ballast casing. In case you want to re-purpose the ballast, leave a few inches of wires. Now, you can remove anything else that goes from the ballast to the MH bulb.
6. AC Power supply voltage
On the market, you find a complete range of high-quality magnetic and electronic ballasts specifically designed to ensure correct operation and long life for metal halide lamps. Their power supply ranges from 575 to 2500 W.
Some ballasts are characterized by their high linearity. Mainly, they consist of:
- reactors in series
- a capacitor battery with a power factor correction condenser bank
- surge relays for the remote ignition of the ballast (some models are equipped with a special LC circuit).
Some versions are equipped with an input autotransformer to obtain the correct no-load voltage value required by the lamp. Often, a general switch protects the ballast against possible short-circuits and overcurrents.
Their particular structure ensures working conditions for a large variety of applications. But at the same time, protect the HID bulb against overvoltages and other problems. Make sure you have all the correct info about the power supply voltage. Plus, install flicker-free LED lights if you are using an AC power supply. Flickering is a common problem for anyone who needs to comply with specific lighting standards. For example, soccer lighting standards and baseball lighting requirements.
Applications of 1000 watt equivalent LED lights.
1. Parking lot lights
Light is brightness. But above all is a means for safety. In the evening, when you go to your car in the parking lot, this factor plays an important role. After all, surveillance cameras can only be useful when there is enough light to ensure optimal visibility.
In addition, a growing attention towards issues such as energy efficiency and the impact on the environment involves more companies every day. The latter ones, in fact, increasingly resort to modern and intelligent LED lighting solutions capable of ensuring visibility and above all safety to their employees.
2. LED flood lights
Often, the complex structure of indoor enclosures can cause you to lose your orientation. Bad lighting and the absence of guidance systems can only make the situation worse. For this reason, it is critical to make sure that the signs, vehicles, lanes, entrances, elevators, and stairs are clearly visible. Especially in the event of an emergency.
A single 1000 watt MH replacement ensures optimal luminance in any warehouse and laboratory. Moreover, the latest LED equivalent lights allow you to control many features. For example, you can:
- adjust the light intensity (lux level)
- turn the light on or off automatically with the use of proximity sensors
- change the color temperature or color
- dim the lights
3. Sports field lighting
Think about your favorite sport. Perhaps, you never noticed the impact of those bright lights shining on your beloved players. Today, modern stadiums and playing areas make use of high power LED lights.
Basically, every tennis court went through a lighting design process to convert the old MH lighting system to a LED-based one. Similarly, in most soccer fields and cricket ovals around the world, the same happens.
For a stadium owner, each standard 1000W metal halide bulb is an energy hog. Plus, they overheat and require maintenance. Every time a replacement is necessary, the owner spends on both the new bulbs and the professional service. So, choosing to replace with energy saving LED light is another form of investment. Usually, they start by installing a LED retrofit at a time before the big makeover.
4. High bay grow lights
Without a doubt, the cannabis industry has revolutionized the way cannabis growers harvest their crops. So, in the USA, high bay grow lights have become common.
Frequently, they use a metal halide lamp due to its high Color Rendering Index (CRI) rating. Plus, the MH color temperature makes it ideal for the flowering phase. But at the same time, a 1000W consumes way too much power. So, they switched to LED high bay grow lights. Mostly, LEDs do not have any of the most common MH problems, such as high pressure and shorter life span. In fact, the metal halide bulb’s internal pressure causes them to pop and overheat. As a result, overheating shortens the HID life span, and the lumen maintenance/overall light output drops.
How many watts does a 1000 watt metal halide use?
The actual power consumption is 1.05 to 1.1 times higher than the supposed one to one ratio. If you think about it, the answer lies in how the MH bulb ignites. The starter needs to provide a voltage spike. In technical terms, the ignition voltage must be between 0.75 and 5 kV.
So, HID lights have something called the warm-up time. The warm-up refers to the first two to fifteen minutes. During this time, the lumen output is inconsistent. In other words, you need to wait for the 1000 watt MH to emit its full light spectrum. This means you need to light up the 1000W metal halide bulb before you actually need it.
Do I need a permit to replace 1000W metal halide lights?
Normally, you should not need any permit to replace a 1000W metal halide bulb. Of course, you would need one if you do not control the installation area power grid. But if you buy the LED retrofit or replacement for a company lab, you might have to ask for one. Similarly, you might have to contact your manager to convert an old lighting system and use equivalent lights.
Usually, LEDs do not pose health risks. But people susceptible to some diseases might have adverse reactions to some light conditions. So, it really boils down to whoever is responsible for the installation or supervision. If they are ok with you installing the 1000 watt LED light and saving money on electricians, you should be fine.
