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I was using a 75 W Philips Bulb - 120 volt- (Agro-Lite BR30) (link below) in a flex-arm clamp-on desk lamp, as a Plant grow light. It worked well for 2 weeks, my plants were responding. Then it started to flicker, and smell, so I disconnected the lamp and removed the bulb.
It is an old lamp and the only information I can find on it is - 250 V, 660 W.
I'm wondering if I ruined the lamp by using that bulb in it.
I bought a new lamp which says it can take max of 60 Watts, so I cannot use the Philips bulb with that either. I put in the new lamp an Ecobulb daylight, 200 W equivalent, uses only 40 watts.
I hope I'm right in thinking that this Ecobulb can go in the new lamp, if I use the criteria of the 40 watts.
I prefer the Philips Bulb (the plants do), so I have to find a lamp which can take the 75 Watt, which I didn't find at the store, maybe can find online.
Do you think I ruined the first lamp by using a bulb that was too high?
You're better off using a 'bright white' or 'cool white' CFL for plants. I use a couple of 23w (100w equivalent) bulbs for a booster over the winter and the plants love them, and they're less than a buck a piece at Lowes. Put them in a $7 clip light with a reflector and leave them on 24/7.
I did try a CFL, after the incident I described in original post.
I bought a new lamp, (desk lamp) and I asked the store guy if this bulb would work with the lamp.
The bulb is Ecobulb daylight by Feit Electric; it was recommended to me on another forum as a good grow light. It says 200 W equivalent uses only 40 watts.
The lamp I bought says do not use over 60 watts.
So figured this would work.
Within a day or two, of having the lamp on some 16 hours a day, I smelt something burning.
so I took out the bulb.
Reed: thanks for that link to a reflector lamp. looks good, except it looks to me that that would work for only one plant, and I have about 10-12.
mkarch:
what is a clip light with reflector?
I had bought a plant stand BuyPlantLights.com — Tabletop Plant Stands
which looked to be perfect.
I hooked it up, following directions, turned it on, and an awful smell filled the apartment, so I returned it.
You could always use the correct plant-growing CFL from here. Pick one of the light assemblies ( the assembly plus the light included) that cost from $50.00 to $70.00 or so, and you will have plenty of light. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1?...qid=1419736664
Otherwise buy a ceiling-mounted full spectrum CFL light assembly that can be plugged on an outlet, with two fluorescent 30-45 Watt tubes. Some are preassembled, and all you have to do is to suspend them from the ceiling.
There are all kinds of fancy grow lights if you want to spend a lot of money. But a couple of these with daylight CFLs are a cheap alternative. I've used them to boost house plants during the dark months. Even regular warm white CFLs work well for most plants. I have a single 9w warm white CFL desk lamp keeping my office plants healthy. Previously I used a 23w daylight bulb but the philodendron grew over it too quickly. All of the leaves oriented themselves away from the window and towards the bulb.
I did try a CFL, after the incident I described in original post.
I bought a new lamp, (desk lamp) and I asked the store guy if this bulb would work with the lamp.
The bulb is Ecobulb daylight by Feit Electric; it was recommended to me on another forum as a good grow light. It says 200 W equivalent uses only 40 watts.
The lamp I bought says do not use over 60 watts.
So figured this would work.
Within a day or two, of having the lamp on some 16 hours a day, I smelt something burning.
so I took out the bulb.
Reed: thanks for that link to a reflector lamp. looks good, except it looks to me that that would work for only one plant, and I have about 10-12.
mkarch:
what is a clip light with reflector?
I had bought a plant stand BuyPlantLights.com — Tabletop Plant Stands
which looked to be perfect.
I hooked it up, following directions, turned it on, and an awful smell filled the apartment, so I returned it.
I am not having good results with lighting!
thank you all for your suggestions
200W in one bulb? Too big and probably wrong spectrum. I use 60W CFL Soft Whites that are on 24/7. The lamps I use are similar to the enclosed link as they have dual functionality. 60W in the lower section and 75W in the upper section.
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