Metal Halide bulbs?

Question

I don't understand... Would a metal halide bulb mogul base fit a standard output of a house bulb. Further explanation.. House bulbs screw into a socket. If i buy a metal halide bulb mogul will it fit it? i don't know whatt they mean by t37, 39.

Answer 1

No they wouldn't fit. Both types have screw in bases, but a mogul base is wider than a household.

I think the "T" you're referring to (as in T-5 lighting systems) are fluorescent lights. The kind you find in shoplights are usually T-12. These designations refer to the diameter of the tube and differences in the ballast (you shouldn't use a tube from one system in the fixture for another). The higher the number, the wider the diameter, but the lower the output. So where most aquarium hoods take a T8 or a T-12, a T-5 has brighter lighting, more on the equivalent of a compact fluorescent, and is more energy efficient. And then there are HQIs which are double-ended metal halides.

Here's some additional info about types of marine (and freshwater higher intensity) lighting:


ADDITION: The "T" can actually go either way. Most answers on the forum use the T-5 as a suggestion for marine lighting, but the "T" can also refer to tubular shapes in household or some metal halides: http://www.martyslightbulbs.com/tubular.html Don't know who gave the thumbs down for that, but that answer wasn't incorrect!

Answer 2

Just a correction, Copper...

The T-designation means the bulb envelope is tubular. A B- designation is the rounded bulb type.

The number refers to the largest size through the envelope.at the filament. I am not sure of the units,

Mogul Screw and regular screw sockets are not compatible, as rightly noted.

Why do you want to put a metal halide bulb into a regular house fixture? I am trying to think of any good reason, and offhand cannot come up with any. Usually they also run very very hot!