Advantages of replacing 400 watt metal halide high bay lights with LED
1. LED is more energy saving than metal halide
LED lights provide you more than any metal hide bulb can give you. Starting with a better lumen per watt ratio.
When you opt for an equivalent LED replacement, you save on your electricity bill. The standard 150 to 250 watts LED light is equivalent to 400 watts metal halide.
Today, there are numerous types of LED lights on the market. Thanks to the LED lights’ high illuminance output, it is possible to retrofit and replace old HID models.
You can convert the old lighting system to a more cost-effective one and save big. For example, by switching to high bay lighting in an indoor sports facility.
2. LED is more long lasting than metal halide
HID bulbs have a similar structure. Mainly, they use tungsten electrodes, gasses, and metal salts. So, the lamps are bound to consume or lose their content over time. To be honest, each on/off cycle shortens their life span by wearing the bulb down.
Whenever you look at a direct comparison, there is no contest. LED high bay lights last 150,000 hours. Instead, MH bulbs last between 5,000 to 15,000 hours.
Over time, a metal halide lamp needs more and more voltage. Mainly because of the internal gas pressure. As a result, the luminaire can overheat and shut down.
LED tech is the latest innovation in the field of the lighting industry. As such, they benefit from the best designs and components engineers can build.
3. No warm-up time after replacing 400W metal halide
A metal halide has an ignition device. In brief, you will need to wait for several minutes (up to 20 minutes to reach its full luminous output. That is, their total lumen output.
Generally speaking, a 400W metal halide lamp emits around 40,000 Lumens. Considering the warm-up time, you will need to light up the gym, facility, or the outdoor pitch at least half an hour before the athletes can start practicing.
LED high bay lights have no warm-up time. Whenever you need them on, you turn them on. Plus, the on/off cycle has zero effects on their life span and efficiency. Instead, you need to wait for MH lamps to cool down before you can turn them back on.
At the end of the month, you end up paying more. And the warm-up time adds substantially to the overall expense.
4. Various color temperature options of LED lights
Depending on your needs, the LED replacement can add the benefit of changing color temperature. That is, how the luminous flux looks like.
When you go out to buy a LED lamp, you find cool and warm lights. The same applies to high-power LED high bay lights. But industrial and professional LED models can offer even more options. For example, a full retrofit can include remote light control to switch color temperature.
Cool light refers to a bluish-white color. Generally, cool lights are great for sports facilities and outdoor venues. In Kelvin degrees, cool white ranges between 5,000 K and 7,500 K (or higher).
Warm light varies between a yellowish and a more neutral white color. In detail, any light between 3,000 K to 4,500 K has a yellow hue. Usually, the spectrum between 4,500 K and 5,500 K is the best for anyone looking for that natural daylight effect.
5. Higher color rendering index (CRI)
According to the document CIE 013.3-1995, the color rendering index is the standard method to specify the color rendering properties of light sources.
This index indicates how a light source reproduces colors in comparison with daylight. In brief, the higher the CRI percentage (or Ra value), the more realistic the generated colors.
On average, metal halide bulbs generate between 70 Ra to 90 Ra, which is fine. But the gap is so wide because they wear down with usage and time. On the other hand, LED lights have higher CRI values. Plus, they last so long that the reduction happens over a longer period of time.
Usually, LED lights have a minimum CRI of 90 Ra. This makes them suitable for almost any type of application and retrofit project.
6. Better for outdoor use
Outdoor spaces are an essential part of your home. And you can make them even more welcoming and functional with the right outdoor lighting. Today, LED is the most innovative, safe outdoor garden lighting system on the market.
With so many models, you can easily find one that suits your purpose. For instance, lighting up a baseball batting cage box for your children. Or a putting green for practicing your putting stroke.
LED is more durable. Plus, it has a higher waterproof rating in general. This means that LED lights can withstand bad weather and heavy rain. If you are a sports stadium owner, this detail alone justifies the need to convert the old stadium lighting system to a LED one to protect your investment.
What is LED equivalent to 400 watts?
1. Meaning of LED equivalent
Before you replace a 400 watt lamp with its LED equivalent, you might want to know more about LED lights. In fact, it is not just a matter of wattage.
Let’s say that you are about to buy an LED light with a similar lumen output to a 400 watt metal halide light. At the same time, you will get:
- an energy-saving light source with less hazardous substances in it
- a more aesthetically pleasing shape or compact design (often more manageable and lighter as well)
- simple installation instructions, which usually do not involve assembly or complex wiring diagrams
Installing an HID bulb is often hard. Especially when you need to switch from one type to another. Instead, LED lights are easy to install. Whether you set up a single floodlight or a group of different light fixtures, you can swiftly fulfill the desired layout. And then, group the lights to better control the light intensity and other features.
2. How many lumens does a 400 watt metal halide produce?
The luminous efficacy of a metal halide lamp ranges between 65 to 80 lumens per watt. So, this means that the typical 400 watt metal halide lumen output is as follows:
400W x 65 lm/W to 80 lm/W = 26,000 to 32,000 lumens
Of course, in this example, the 32,000 lumens apply to brand-new HID lights only. In detail, as they age, the luminous efficacy of these lamps declines. As a result, even the most performing metal halide bulb will emit fewer lumens per watt well before reaching the end of its life cycle.
As previously mentioned, the lumen amount relates to the full output. This means that in the first 15 minutes, you are going to experience an increase in brightness. In fact, the starting peak voltage must be higher than the operating voltage to ignite the lamp. But the warm-up takes time.
3. How many watts of LED lights are needed to replace 400W metal halide?
Generally, the luminous efficacy of LED lights falls between 130 to 170 lumens per watt. So, the LED watts equivalent to 400 watt MH is thus calculated:
26,000 lumens/170 to 32,000 lumens/130 = 153 to 246 watts
On average, you can replace a 400W HID lamp with a LED light that consumes half the power. Consider that in the standard lighting design of an indoor sports facility, you need several lights. With just the same number of high bay lights, you can halve your running costs!
How to replace 400 watt metal halide with LED lights?
1. Select the power equivalent of LED lights
The first step involves the purchase of the equivalent LED light. You can find many models. Besides, you can opt for a LED retrofit to convert the old 400W MH lamp holder into the new casing. In the latter case, you would probably use the base just to screw in the LED retrofit. Then, you would use a driver to connect the equivalent LED light source to the power grid.
Of course, the actual wattage depends on your new LED lights’ and old metal halide lights’ luminous efficacy. For replacing a 400 watt metal halide floodlight, you should find an equivalent 150-250 watt high bay light.
2. Select the right screw base
The 400 watt metal halide light bulbs have different screw bases. Usually, when you need an HID replacement, you should look out for the type of screw base. In fact, metal halide lamps are available with a standard lightbulb socket (Edison screw) of varying sizes. Some have larger mogul bases (E39), while others a medium one (E29).
When you buy a screw-in high bay retrofit, expect most models to have a mogul base. In case of any doubts, it is better to consult with your lighting designer. Or ask the seller for help before placing your order.
3. Removing the ballast when replacing the 400W metal halide lights
Turning off the power supply is imperative. Then, you can take off the lamp and the HID ballast capacitor. Here is a pro tip: by cutting the wires going to the ballast, it is easier to unscrew it.
After that, you can install the LED retrofit and use the same housing for your new lamp. Or you can dismantle the case and install the LED high bay light or LED equivalent directly on the frame with a new lamp holder.
4. Turn on and test the lights
Sometimes, the LED replacement might not provide the same beam angle. Or you might need to calibrate the lighting uniformity. So, make sure to test the lights for efficiency.
You should also test the lights to see if the new installation presents flickering, buzzing, or other typical problems of LED lights. Even for the standard high school sports facility, the flickering could be a problem. Especially if you plan to host high-level competitions or broadcasters. In this case, flickering refers to a technical nuisance that prevents video cameras from recording an event in the right way. So, if you bought a flicker-free LED retrofit, you should put the light to the test.
400 watt Metal halide LED replacement Q & A
1. Can I replace metal halide with LED?
The answer is a resounding yes. If you plan to install LED lights to avoid installing an HID replacement bulb, start from the lumen output. First, make sure that the new LED light emits an equivalent lumen output. Then, consider if you need to convert the housing or proceed with a new installation.
If you plan to replace a metal halide bulb with a LED light for continued use, choose the more convenient solution. For example, LED high bay lights do not heat as much as metal halide lamps. So, you can use the previous base and install a LED retrofit to use the same light point.
2. What are the applications of 400W metal halide LED replacement bulbs?
You can use a LED replacement or retrofit for:
- a grow room that needs high bay lights
- sports field (Tennis court, football field)
- backyard practice areas (baseball and softball batting cages, putting green, etc.)
- installing high bay lights in a warehouse, factory, etc.
- brightening up the living room, basement, etc.
- lighting for garden, patio, parking lot, high ceiling garage
- indoor spaces that require high safety standards (labs, museums, prisons, etc.)
- provide security and emergency lighting
Virtually, you can use the LED replacement in any place where you need continuous lighting. HID light sources have a shorter life span. So, you would need to change them more frequently than equivalent LED alternatives.
3. How much does it cost to run a 400 watt metal halide?
Here is a practical example to understand how much you pay to run a 400W HID MH lamp. If your 400 watt metal halide lamp consumes energy for 8 hours per day, the running cost of 400 watts MH is:
400W x 8 hours x $0.1/1000 = $0.32 per day
You are paying $2.24 per week. Or $9.6 per month. For any 400 watt metal halide lamp. However, this calculation does not include warm-up time. So, expect to pay a little more than that because you need to light up the metal halide lamp 5 to 15 minutes before it can emit its full light output.
