Thorgeon multi-metal lamp G12 35W 2200lm 3000K – HID, warm white

What is a metal halide lamp?

A metal halide (MH) lamp is a gas discharge lamp that produces strong and uniform light by combining high-pressure mercury with metal halides. This gives the lamp:

• Good light output from a small size – 2,200 lm from a Ø22.5 × 90 mm lamp
• Warm color temperature – 3000 K (incandescent-like, rare in MH category)
• General lighting color rendering – CRI 60–69 (suitable for ambient lighting, not for applications requiring precise color rendering)

3000K – warm hue for small spaces

Most metal halide lamps are produced with cooler hues (4000K, 4200K), as their gas discharge spectrum naturally produces cooler light. A 3000K warm white MH lamp is a special product, particularly suitable for:

• Display case lighting – clothing stores, jewelry stores, interior design shops where a warm hue accentuates products
• Smaller restaurants and cafes – accent lighting in spotlights
• Hotel lobbies – warm spot lighting in smaller spaces
• Vintage luminaires – maintaining older spotlights with an incandescent-like hue
• Maintaining existing 3000K MH systems – if the old lamp was 3000K, switching to a cooler hue would significantly alter the ambiance of the space

If you need a neutral white hue for general lighting, check out the 4200K model – the same Thorgeon product, but with a 4200K neutral white hue.

35W – lowest power class, for special use

35W is the lowest common power class for metal halide lamps. Typical applications:

• Display case lighting and exhibition spaces – lower luminous efficacy is sufficient for close-range lighting
• Spotlights – in small shops where the lamp is used close to the product
• Smaller advertising luminaires – for 5–20 m² advertisements
• Bollard luminaires – low poles (1–3 m), such as garden spotlights

If you need more luminous efficacy for a larger space with a warm hue, check out the 150W 3000K model (12,500 lm).

External ballast and ignitor required

This lamp does not work directly with mains voltage – it requires an external HID ballast and ignitor. Important notes:

• The internal lamp voltage is 75–95 V (lower than the 80–100 V of larger MH lamps)
• The ballast must be rated for a 35W metal halide lamp
• An ignitor is needed to start the lamp
• Installation requires the expertise of an electrician

You can find compatible ballasts in the Electrical Supplies → Ballasts/Chokes category.

Start-up time and cool-down period

HID lamps behave differently from LED and fluorescent lamps:

• Start-up time to full power: approximately 1–4 minutes after switching on
• Re-ignition after power outage: requires a 5–20 minute cool-down period – a hot lamp cannot be re-ignited immediately
• During lifetime: color temperature may shift slightly and light level may decrease (typical HID phenomenon)

HID lamps are best suited for spaces where lighting is on for long periods and short on/off cycles are not required.

CRI 60–69 – for ambient lighting

The color rendering index (CRI 60–69) of this lamp is suitable for ambient lighting, but color differences will not be precisely distinguished. However, the warmth of the 3000K hue combined with a CRI of 60–69 provides a pleasant ambient light that does not require precise color rendering.

For applications where color accuracy is important (e.g., clothing stores with color-coordinated product displays, museums, photography workshops), consider an LED alternative (LEDs achieve CRI 80–95+).

LED alternative – small power class, easy transition

For MH lamps in smaller power classes (35W and below), an LED replacement is particularly sensible:

• The LED selection is wider in small power classes – several brands available
• Better value for money – LED lamps are often cheaper than MH lamps with the same light output
• Longer lifespan – LED 50,000+ h vs MH 6,000–15,000 h
• Lower energy consumption – LED produces the same luminous efficacy with approximately 12–18W of power
• 3000K LED alternatives are widely available – unlike MH lamps, where 3000K is rare

Explore our selection in the G12 LED lamps category. However, this Thorgeon MH lamp is suitable for maintaining existing 35W systems when the luminaire and ballast are precisely dimensioned for MH technology.

Safety precautions

• Use the lamp only in a suitable enclosed luminaire – due to UV radiation, open installation can be dangerous
• Do not touch a hot lamp
• If the lamp breaks, act carefully – it contains a small amount of mercury
• At the end of its life, recycle in accordance with the WEEE directive at an SER collection point

Installation checklist

1. Check that the luminaire has a G12 base and is designed for a 35W metal halide lamp
2. Check that an external HID ballast and ignitor are used (35W MH rating)
3. Turn off power at the main switch
4. Install the lamp – do not touch the glass with your fingers (grease can cause a hot spot)
5. Turn on the power
6. Wait 1–4 minutes for full power to be reached
7. Check that the lamp burns steadily without flickering

Also, explore other metal halide lamps and G12 LED alternatives in our selection.