Metal halide lamps are a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting that produce bright and white light. They are commonly used in commercial and industrial applications, such as stadiums, parking lots, warehouses, and street lights. However, metal halide lamps have some disadvantages, such as high energy consumption, short lifespan, frequent maintenance, and environmental hazards. LED lights, on the other hand, are more energy-efficient, durable, long-lasting, and eco-friendly. Therefore, many people are interested in converting their existing metal halide fixtures to LED.
There are two main ways to convert metal halide to LED: replacing the whole fixture or retrofitting the existing fixture. Replacing the whole fixture means installing a new LED fixture that is compatible with the existing mounting and wiring. Retrofitting the existing fixture means replacing the metal halide components (lamp and ballast) with LED components (lamp and driver) and keeping the original fixture housing. Both methods have their pros and cons, depending on the situation and preference of the user.
- Replacing the whole fixture
Replacing the whole fixture is a straightforward and simple way to convert metal halide to LED. It ensures that the new LED fixture is designed and optimized for LED performance and quality. It also eliminates the need to deal with the old metal halide components, which may be faulty or incompatible with LED. However, replacing the whole fixture can be more expensive and time-consuming than retrofitting. It may also require additional modifications or adjustments to the existing mounting and wiring.
To replace the whole fixture, the user needs to follow these steps:
(1)Turn off the power supply to the metal halide fixture and disconnect it from the wiring.
(2)Remove the old metal halide fixture from the mounting and dispose of it properly.
(3)Choose a new LED fixture that has the same or higher lumen output as the metal halide fixture. The lumen output is a measure of how much light a fixture produces. For example, a 2000W metal halide lamp has an average lumen output of about 200,000 lumens. To replace it with LED, the user can choose a 400W LED fixture that has a lumen output of about 200,000 lumens
(4)Install the new LED fixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that the mounting and wiring are compatible and secure.
(5)Turn on the power supply and test the new LED fixture.
- Retrofitting the existing fixture
Retrofitting the existing fixture is another way to convert metal halide to LED. It allows the user to keep the original fixture housing and save money on buying a new one. It also preserves the aesthetic and historical value of some fixtures that may have a unique or antique design. However, retrofitting the existing fixture can be more complicated and risky than replacing it. It may require some technical skills and tools to modify or adapt the old fixture to fit the new LED components. It may also result in lower light quality or efficiency if the old fixture is not suitable for LED.
To retrofit the existing fixture, the user needs to follow these steps:
(1) Turn off the power supply to the metal halide fixture and disconnect it from the wiring.
(2) Remove the lens cover and unscrew any bolt that prevents pulling off the lens cover.
(3)Remove the reflector and unscrew any screw that holds it.
(4)Remove the metal halide lamp and ballast from the fixture and dispose of them properly.
Choose a new LED lamp and driver that have the same or higher lumen output as the metal halide lamp and ballast. The lumen output is a measure of how much light a lamp produces. For example, a 2000W metal halide lamp has an average lumen output of about 200,000 lumens. To replace it with LED, the user can choose a 400W LED lamp that has a lumen output of about 200,000 lumens. The driver is a device that converts AC power to DC power for LED lamps.
- Install the new LED lamp and driver according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that they fit well inthe old fixture housing and are compatible with each other.
- Apply some thermal grease to attachthe LED lamp to the casing.
- Reinstallthe reflectorand lens cover and secure them with screwsand bolts.
- Reconnectthe wiringand turn on the power supply and test the new LED lamp.
AIKO Lighting’s ARES LED Sports Stadium lights choose advanced technology to get high efficacy and less glare optic performance, there are a variety of light distribution from ultra-small to large angle, suitable for different applications.
Taking place of your current 2000W Metal halide fixtures PHILIPS ArenaVision MVF403 & MVF404 with AIKO ARES LED Sports Stadium lights saves energy and operating costs.
