Using a 150 watt bulb in an outdoor lampost that says max 100

dan123

Hello folks,

Very appreciative for any informed responses.

I recently installed 3 outdoor lampposts on a private sidewalk for my business where there is going to be foot traffic and needs to be well lit.

I went to the local electrical supply house (not a big box store) and picked 3 Kilcher units that said in the book it could take incandescent 150 watt max bulb, which is what I wanted. The units came in today and on the unit itself it says 100 watt max on the socket.

I specifically ordered these because they said they would take 150 watt bulbs in the catalog. Should I bring them back?

Just curious: What would happen if I placed a 150 watt bulb in a socket that says 100 max?

Do you think the supply house can change the socket?

Do the CF bulbs that say equal to 150 watts really light up as well?

Thanks ,

Dan

bobelectric

Upgrade to a Mh.lamp fixture.

stickboy1375

They probably sent the wrong fixture, call them and find out...

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mpoulton

It may overheat. I would not do that.

No. They cannot modify the fixture, and neither should you. The wattage rating is determined by the thermal limits of all the materials in the fixture, not just the socket itself.

Yes. They are very bright for a fraction of the energy use. If it's going to be left on for any significant amount of time it would definitely be worth it to use CFL.

ddawg16

Dan...it helps to put your location in your profile.

As mpoulton said, CFL will be a much better way to go...that 150W equiv CFL is only going to use about 40W.

However...if you live in cold climates...you 'might' have issues in the winter when it's really cold...like below 0 deg F. If it does not get that cold....go CFL....the energy savings alone will pay for the bulbs in about a year....and they will last about 5-10x longer than incandescents.

If cold is an issue....LED...that high of a wattage will be expensive....but if your leaving them on for 12 hours or so....payback will not be that long.

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dmxtothemax

Dont use 150w incandesant bulbs.
Send a complaint to the dealer and / or manufacturer,
Use the largest CFL you can find,
as they produce much less heat.
Or use a self ballasted type discharge lamp.

bobelectric

100 watt lamps are being phased out of production.

dmxtothemax

But not 150w lamps !
Least not in australia,
Is it different in USA ?

For us, only lamps of less than 150w are prohibited import.

dan123

I live outside of Boston so it does get really cold in winter months, I did not even think about that as far as CF bulbs. That may be a problem.

I want to thank everyone for the responses. I will call the supply house and tell them the fixtures say only use up to 100 watts and see what they say.