GE

GE Lighting 42729 250W Metal Halide Mogul Bulb

4.1 (2 reviews)

GE 250W Metal Halide Mogul Bulb delivers 4200K daylight-balanced output with 6,000 hours of dimmable industrial illumination.

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Overview

The GE Lighting 42729 is a 250-watt Multi-Vapor Quartz Metal Halide bulb engineered for commercial, industrial, and security lighting applications. Built around an ED28 envelope with an E39 Mogul base, it slots into standard high-bay fixtures, wall packs, and pole-mounted luminaires commonly found in warehouses, parking lots, and manufacturing floors. The 4200K color temperature produces a neutral, daylight-balanced white light that supports accurate color rendering — a meaningful advantage in environments where visual clarity and worker safety are priorities.

One of this bulb's distinguishing features is its dimmable capability, which is relatively uncommon among metal halide lamps and allows facility managers to adjust output based on time of day or occupancy. With an average rated life of 6,000 hours, the GE 42729 is designed to minimize replacement frequency, particularly valuable in fixtures mounted at height where lamp changes involve lifts or scaffolding. As with all metal halide bulbs, a compatible ballast is required, and the lamp needs several minutes to reach full brightness after startup. The bulb contains mercury and should be recycled through appropriate hazardous waste channels at end of life.

Specifications

Brand
GE Lighting
Model
42729
Light Type
Metal Halide (Multi-Vapor Quartz)
Wattage
250W
Bulb Shape
ED28
Bulb Base
E39 Mogul
Color Temperature
4200K
Brightness
200 Lumens
Average Life
6,000 Hours
Dimmable
Yes

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Dimmable capability allows flexible light output adjustment, uncommon in many metal halide bulbs
  • 4200K color temperature provides neutral daylight-quality illumination for color-critical work areas
  • 6,000-hour average rated life reduces replacement frequency in hard-to-reach fixtures
  • ED28 form factor fits standard mogul base industrial fixtures without modification
  • 250W wattage strikes a balance between high output and moderate energy consumption

👎 Cons

  • 200-lumen rated output is low for a 250W metal halide bulb, suggesting the listing may reflect initial or minimum lumens
  • Metal halide bulbs require a warm-up period of several minutes before reaching full brightness
  • Requires a compatible ballast rated for 250W metal halide operation, adding to installation cost
  • ED28 bulb shape is physically large and may not fit enclosed or compact fixture housings
  • Contains mercury and requires proper disposal per local hazardous waste regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

It uses an E39 Mogul screw base, which is the standard large base found in industrial and commercial light fixtures.
Yes, the GE 42729 is dimmable, allowing you to adjust light intensity to match different workspace requirements.
The bulb produces light at 4200 Kelvin, which is a cool, daylight-balanced white suitable for work environments where accurate color perception matters.
It has an average rated life of 6,000 hours, which translates to years of service in typical commercial or industrial duty cycles.
It uses an ED28 envelope shape, so verify that your fixture can accommodate this bulb profile before purchasing.