DIY: Sodium Vapor Lamp (LPS) 

Thanks. The vertical “burn” was more of a proof of concept to show that it works, but I had no idea that could shorten the life of the bulb. Great tip. The majority of SOX units that I’ve made do run horizontally, so that is good to keep in mind.

I've typically seen them rated to be "base up, plus or minus 110 degrees". See this video and similar ones from Lighting Supply: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9Gs4E3Jyalc.html

Why can the lower wattage lamps be used base up, but the large lamps can't?

This is excellent news, as colors other than yellow are very overrated. You will not regret this decision.

@@Powersfilms Ehm, orange.

Does it use much power

Did they have LPS in the US or just Canada, I know the US have HPS.

​@@mmtmmt921it uses at least 35 times less electricity than traditional tungston burning lamps. Downside and upside is that this light turns stuff monochrome

That’s awesome! Can you share a link for anyone that would sell that?

You know, it was a controversial decision at the time to go heavy on the whip--pans, but in the end it was the right call and I am glad you enjoy them.

You mean the nostalgia? You know it's nostalgia right? LEDs are superior.

@@TheEsseboy Why does everyone use night filters on their mobile devices or computers now? Because we never evolved to be exposed to blue spectrum light at night, it keeps us awake and suppresses Melatonin production. It is theorized that the myth about crazy people coming out on full moons is partly due to people being more awake / aggro because of this effect. For someone like me with sensory processing issues brought on by autism the white color temperature globes common in LEDs give me anxiety. Unrelated to Sodium lamps but LEDs also until recently would have poorer colour rendering than incandescent globes and flickering which can cause headaches. Not to mention the low energy to high lumen output of LEDs means councils will just choose brighter lights which are insensitive to the character and charm of residential or heritage areas. So I would disagree with the dismissal of people's feelings. It isn't just nostalgia imo.

@@jojosumit7690 For me it's just the opposite, cause we have such short times of daylight in my part of the world during winters the bright mood lifting and energizing light of an LED gives me happiness and brightens my day. I keep getting stronger LEDs so I can imitate daylight 😂 I know only one of ny ftiends who use night filters on anything.

Happy to help.

Southern New Jersey still has hps

You can never have too many.

And people can finally see colors and see 🤗

@@TheEsseboywhy do you need color in the middle of the night? You should be sleeping.

@@enterprize-zi8dd Because it is easier to identify vehicles, pedestrians etc. in color. Sometimes you end up working nights, evenings or go out to meet friends and stay up late. You know, like most humans do from time to time.

It does get pretty toasty. If you buy heat-treated theatrical gel, or use a heat shield filter, you should be ok. Next time I turn the lamp on, I will check. From what I remember, the bulb can still be touched, but it does get very hot. I hope that helps.

He's using professional stage lighting plugs, you can use our standard UK plug. The bulbs come with BC22 plugs which Americans don't use. There's no need to adapt it here in the UK

Buy a philips 90w BSX Ballast with an SX type ignitor

No colors, sad lighting, horrific light. Very glad they are being replaced by LEDs.

@@TheEsseboy nah, that golden orange glow gives me true calmness.

@@Dekko-chan You know that's just nostalgia tho?

@@TheEsseboy yes, XD the only reason to use lps is nostalgia and liking the color. Thats why i think the ones that exist should be preserved. (Or they should make orange led which does exist there are some like 5 miles from my house, they have the same effect)

@@Dekko-chan Or we could just put one in a museum close to you?

Definitely not recommended but if it's all you have, I would recommend marking which pin of the plug is your live pin. Outside of that, the lamp should fail to strike if it's connected backwards to the mains.

Interesting. I really do not run these lamps for over an hr, but I suppose if these get hot after awhile, it does make sense to mount it on the outside of the fixture or even crazier - adding a heat sink! Excellent point! I imagine keeping the ballast cool would also extend the lifespan of the ballast.

Thanks for the fast reply :) The ballast can get pretty warm even in an hour's run time, but It's not like your running it for half the day or more. I like the heat sink idea! especially for very long run times. When I run mine, I don't run it for much more than an hour either.

Use Philips BSX 90w Magnetic Ballast

Sure thing. Check out Fulham Workhouse 3 ballast. I think it is rated for ~64wats and it should be plenty for your use. Ballast Name: Fulham Workhorse 3 WH3-120-C You could also use: Fulham Lighting WH2-120-L Workhorse 2 Electronic Ballast (These are both electronic ballasts and they are more efficient than the magnetic ballast you might be using).

@@Powersfilms thanks for getting back to me so quickly. The magnetic ballast is humming like a chainsaw so I’m guessing it’s not happy. Your 90watt bulb looks like my 35 watt lps and your presentation is the first I have seen after an exhaustive search. 🙏

Also, why not just use a BC25 fixture? You're scratch building it anyway!

Check the description, because most of the items are listed with links. But, for ballasts, I have had awesome results with the brand "Fulham" Try the Filham Lighting WH2-120-L Workhorse. a.co/d/cS4xDCv Happy Hunting!

The problem is that in Europe they are not available :( thats why I have problems with finding a proper ballast

Will Powertronic PTi 35/220-240 L be fine for that? I have a bulb rated for 35 watts, and 230 volts input

Ahhh… I see. I would search Alibaba for a ballast. That other ballast you have mentioned should also work.

Yes, you can use magnetic ballast for optimal use

Fairly low, but let me know if you make one. I really wanted to make one that details the science behind what makes these monochrome lights work, but I already saw a video that does that.

Also you don't need to file the swarf off the rear side, just use the drill bit, or the next size up (careful) or use a counter sink.

Motivated to try an build one? You can borrow one of mine anytime.

I wonder if there’s a company that still makes them since Philips stopped in 2019.

@@JamMC qianshunlighting (they have an online store called glowobject) stil does

@@JamMC this is my fourth time, youtube removes my comment everytime glowobject has them And the prices are resonable

@@JamMC glowobject

@@JamMC yes it is its called glowobject

Same, I'm dissapointed.

LPS Sodium Lamp Alert! Good to know you have plenty in stock. I’ll hit you up if I have any huge projects coming up. Thanks!

Hey! I'm building more of these lights now and could use more bulbs. What's a good email for you or the name of your eBay Store? Thanks!

I'm also interested! Please shoot me a DM.

Nick, that is a very astute observation, and I can not argue with that air-tight logic. I will say that I installed a light bulb into a fixture the same way Michelangelo smeared paint onto a ceiling.

I've seen some like that

this is a 90w bulb, not 18w. You paid 120 for an 18w rig?

@@Shanepatterson6180 Yes glass lenses STONCO wall pack high quality fixture, in use every night, lamp was not included. I have stocked up on the lamps I use, as Philips has ceased production of LPS lamps. So now the ones that are in stock will go up in price, I found bargains over the years in SOX lamps I once got an entire case of 12 lamps for like $80 brand new lamps PHILIPS stuff, other times maybe $30 each for some 55W which i use also for the yard. Or entire Philips fixtures made in OHIO for U.S. market years ago, NOS for a 55W wall pack like $120 with lamp. on ebay. The one place had AMERICAN ELECTRIC 18W sox wall packs for also $120, bit smaller, than the Stonco glass lens, and much lighter, I have a few of them, it's similar to the original Philips norelco 18W mini-sox, which was a well made polycarbonate lens. I have 5 18W Mini sox in operation, many close to 30 years on, same ballast, lens get a bit yellowed, some not so much American Electric was who purchased the Philips factory in the 1990's when Philips stopped producing the fixtures here. So they modified the designs somewhat, Eventually Philips bought Genlyte to expand fixtures in the U.S., thus STONCO became another Philips brand, with a dozen other names under the umbrella. They all have the same parts inside Philips Advance ballasts, and Kulka LPS sockets (which is a former Philips company) Now I use a 55W HUBBELL SOX fixture, polycarbonate lens cover with all Philips inside, it replaced a Philips OH 55W wallpack years ago, when that lens on the Philips after close to 30 eyars of use, got yellowed, I figured I'd just change out the entire fixture, same guts, different shape, same poly carbonate lens. Hubbell stopped making SOX fixtures also, now it's all LED. I think it is the "SCOTTSDALE" model..I have a few spares of them too. SOX is still the best roadway lighting, LED sucks for roads, too much glare. The BEAST of them all is the Philips/Norelco, made in OH. 180W Flood fixture all metal body for big lots and industrial setting, thing is 4 feet long, too bright for my yard, it will light up the entire street!

@@Shanepatterson6180 I instlled a 90W Philips SOX roadway lighting fixture years ago in a relative's parking lot, works great...also from the Philips OH factory, which is long ago shut down, American Electric took it over, i think they shut it too. So there where many Philips roadway fixtures then same designs, made under American Electric branding...

Good to know! I have read a lot about High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) and other Low-Pressure Sodium (LPS) that have a "burn preference" on being used in the vertical or horizontal, base down, position. Thanks! Luckily I only have the bulb in the vertical position for testing, as the housing generally makes sense to mount and run with the bulb in the horizontal, or sideways, position.

they actually prefer to run base up.

@@Powersfilms They prefer to be run base up as this allows the sodium to flow away from the electrodes which are at the base of the U shaped tube. They look like little spiral filaments. Although for 90 watt and higher lamps, you really should be running them horizontal for better performance. If it was a 55w or lower wattage lamp, they can be run base up and horizontal and it doesn't affect the lamp's performance.

@@cedricwoirhaye8268 No! No no no no no NO! that will eat away at the electrodes!

@@TheSoxmania There are some sox fixtures that do have the lamps mounted base up except they are 10w, 18w, 35w, and 55w. I only know that base down operation eats away the electrodes.

They used to sell LPS fixtures for use as outdoor residential lighting. The popularity of them declined significantly over time and there is no market anymore so they stopped making them.

@@Cheddar_Curtain Someone should start making them and sell them on Instagram :p

The insurance company gets angry if I shape molten glass, especially under a vacuum.

@@Powersfilms well, the correct way to call the video would have been "DIY light fixture", not DIY lamp. Now that those are discontinued, this could be ever so slightly confusing.

Hilarious I know.

Ah yes, thank you for your feedback. In the future, maybe I'll film a glass blower creating the bulb itself after sourcing the finest silica sand before it's processed into glass.