How long will bulbs store for?

[Tabasco1]

I have 4 48" VHO's that I have had for about 8 years. I bought them when I was getting ready to upgrade from a 55 to 125 and then was side tracked a little bit by life so it never happened. (Still have the icecap 660 ballast as well that I don't really know what to do with) ANYWAYS I have these bulbs, does anybody know if they are still good? If so I plan on giving them away as I cannot use them, but if not I will just toss them.

Thanks!

 

[Captain Nemo]

Look on the packaging assuming you still have it for a date stamp or exp date, may not have one...., do the bulbs look discolored at all? If not fire them up and see how they do, if the spectrum looks stable I think they should be fine.

 

[Troylee]

should be fine unless there was a small hairline crack that made them gas down.. if they fire they should still be new the phosphorus and mercury haven't been burned so im sure they would be fine....

 

[boehm742]

100% agree with troylee. I think your good to use them like new.

 

[Tabasco1]

That would be sweet if someone could use them. I will check them out for an expiration date, I don't remember seeing one though. They have been stored in the packing they were shipped to me in 8 yrs ago. They do not look discolored at all. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to fire them up with. The ballast that was intended for them has never been set up either and is still in the box.

Post them up for free on my local club site and hopefully someone can use them. There are 4 bulbs. Thanks!