Yard Light ?

Chris in SK · May 25, 2015

My 7 - 8 year old HPS (175w I think) yard light (up a pole), is switching on and off now at night. I guess I could try a $30 bulb, or the sensor and hope it isn't an internal issue, but I'm guessing its about at the end of its life, and it'll probably be best to just replace the whole unit at about $80.
So what is everyone using for yard lights now? Is HPS still the best option, or is it LED or something different now?
Thanks,
Chris

Mark-Ia · May 25, 2015

If it's a sodium vapor bulb(yellow colored light) the bulb is going bad. Just replace the bulb and you're good to go..

mike/holly jones · May 25, 2015

HPS is not the way to go, they are subject to ballast and lamp failure!...look into metal halide...mercury vapor lamps begin to lose lummins in about 6 years.

D beatty · May 25, 2015

I don't care for HPS or LPS lights. I had both and they lasted long enough to get through warranty and went out. It wasn't the bulb or photo cell that went out it was a circuit board in head of fixture and it cost over half the price of new fixture. If you deside to go to LED fixture take a look at a RAB Yard Blaster . It uses 26 watts and gives of the same amount of light as a 175 watt mercury vapor or the 150 watt HPS. It is a commerical fixture and better quality than what you get out of Menards or Lowes and really doesn't cost that much more.

K Effective · May 25, 2015

Sensor is designed to fail closed- if light stays on during the day, the sensor is bad. All other issues, change the bulb first, likely the problem.

gab · May 25, 2015

Never had much trouble with the mercury lights, had nothing but trouble with sodium lights, have had a Florissant for about 5 years now that works flawlessly until the temp. drops to about 10 degrees if it comes on at all and it dims bad, but I'll take it over a sodium.

Robin Hood · May 25, 2015

My experience with them at a nearby ski area (100% illuminated trails) is that when they cycle on and off, it needs a new bulb.

Chris in SK · May 25, 2015

Forgot to add, whatever I get needs to work when its cold. We regularly get -40 and colder here!

Chris in SK · May 25, 2015

Thanks d beatty, I'll search out the RAB yard buster and see If I can find one.

Spudm · May 25, 2015

The yard light the Electric company owns & maintains on a pole works flawlessly. Any light I buy and install on a pole is nothing but problems.

David G · May 25, 2015

Mine did that, bad capacitor

J.Wondergem · May 25, 2015

In 2007 I had run a mercury light from 1966, with numerous bulbs. I asked the electrician at work what the best light would be, and he said Metal Halide light is best for the light staying at the same brightness, and cheapest to run. The mercury gets a little dimmer each year, and is more expensive to run. I bought one then, and since, have bought two more. Not as replacements, but added more.

D beatty · May 25, 2015

You must have talked to your electrician a number of years back. You can get the same brightness out of the new LEDs and it will run cheaper than the Metal Halide. The Metal Halide has a life of 20,000 hours and the LED has a life of 50,000 to 100,000 hours.

D beatty · May 25, 2015

The yard light that the electrc company puts up is a better quality fixture than the fixtures you get out of the big box and hardware stores.

hrRoss · May 26, 2015

i found out years ago that when the HPS bulb starts going on and off, its the bulb, so replace the bulb. last fixture i replaced with flourencet, working good for a year

Texasmark1 · May 26, 2015

I had them disconnect theirs when they upped the monthly charge from $10 to 15. HAD two lights.

Texasmark1 · May 26, 2015

I had several Mercury vapor (besides the ones the power co put up) and when they crapped out, I replaced them with 65w fluorescent which illuminated ok but failed prematurely. So as they died off, I took the 65w fixtures and removed the large socket and replaced with a regular household size, naked socket and screwed in a 100w 6500k bulb and wired it to run 24/7 so I had nothing else to break and it stayed at max brilliance....didn't have to warm up. At 26 watts vs 175 I can leave them on and make money plus they do better staying on. Light isn't as bright but plenty adequate for general area lighting and didn't have to buy another expensive fixture or light sensor. I'm getting a bit senior to be climbing light poles.

Works for me.

GeneMO · May 26, 2015

I dont like yard lights. First off, if you are off the road a piece, all it does it attract attention of criminals. If you are dark, they can't see your place.

I want a light that is attached to my house or garage, and shines away from the house. I want to be able to turn it on with a switch from inside. You can then stand in your house, armed if need be, and those outside cant see in.

With a "pole light" the inside of your hous is illluminated, and so are you, standing in there looking out.

Not good.

I have big halogen lights, switched, that light up the outside like day, it blinds anyone outside, and I stand inside in the dark.

I was told all this by a highway patrolman after we had about our third incident with crooks. Took out the "pole light" and never had a problem in the 25 years since.

Plus I can view the stars.

Gene

rustyfarmall · May 26, 2015

(quoted from post at 11:58:47 05/26/15) I dont like yard lights. First off, if you are off the road a piece, all it does it attract attention of criminals. If you are dark, they can't see your place.

I want a light that is attached to my house or garage, and shines away from the house. I want to be able to turn it on with a switch from inside. You can then stand in your house, armed if need be, and those outside cant see in.

With a "pole light" the inside of your hous is illluminated, and so are you, standing in there looking out.

Not good.

I have big halogen lights, switched, that light up the outside like day, it blinds anyone outside, and I stand inside in the dark.

I was told all this by a highway patrolman after we had about our third incident with crooks. Took out the "pole light" and never had a problem in the 25 years since.

Plus I can view the stars.

Gene

My thoughts exactly. I've still got the mercury vapor light, but it is on a switch. I installed a simple incandescant flood lamp that can be controlled from either the house, or from the shop.

mj · May 29, 2015

(quoted from post at 12:58:47 05/26/15) I dont like yard lights. First off, if you are off the road a piece, all it does it attract attention of criminals. If you are dark, they can't see your place.

I want a light that is attached to my house or garage, and shines away from the house. I want to be able to turn it on with a switch from inside. You can then stand in your house, armed if need be, and those outside cant see in.

With a "pole light" the inside of your hous is illluminated, and so are you, standing in there looking out.

Not good.

I have big halogen lights, switched, that light up the outside like day, it blinds anyone outside, and I stand inside in the dark.

I was told all this by a highway patrolman after we had about our third incident with crooks. Took out the "pole light" and never had a problem in the 25 years since.

Plus I can view the stars.

Gene

AMAZING! :shock:

Yard Light ?

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