can you run a 250w bulb on a 400w ballast [Archive]

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KurtsReef

11/30/2007, 12:59 PM

Just wondering...I mean I can put different sized bulbs in the sockets around my house.

All my MH ballasts are 400w, at least one in particular I would like to run 250w bulbs so is it possible to do so or would the bulb burst?

If running a 250w bulb on a 400w ballast is the electricity used 250w/hour?

kdblove_99

11/30/2007, 02:02 PM

Would it just ran that bulb in the ground. I'm not sure but seems like you would have a bulb life expectancy of about 1 month

J-Burns

12/01/2007, 05:42 PM

I don't think the bulb would last a day. It would be extremley bright as it would be trying to burn at 400 watts.

oldreefer76

12/01/2007, 09:52 PM

The answer straight forward is NO!!

mg426

12/02/2007, 12:12 AM

DONT DO IT !!!

hahnmeister

12/02/2007, 02:22 AM

Sure, you can do it... it might explode, but you can do it.

markandkristen

12/02/2007, 08:30 AM

what about the other way around. can you run a 400 watt bulb on a 250 ballast

J-Burns

12/02/2007, 10:40 AM

A 400 watt bulb would not ignite on a ballast for a 250Watt bulb

J-Burns

12/02/2007, 10:42 AM

If it did light it would be dim.

shoman89

12/02/2007, 09:18 PM

I accidently ran a 175watt bulb on a pulse start 400watt ballast for at least a month. The bulb lived and the ballast died. The bulb still works on the correct 175w ballast. I would expect the bulb to light and work similar to HQI ballast, but I would also not recommend it. You will most likely damage the ballast and/or bulb in time.