Lamps & Ballasts

stinger_489

Member

• Feb 4, 2006

• #1

Hi, a m8 of mine asked me yesterday if he could run a 600wt lamp in a 1000wt ballast and i couldn`t answer him...i know u can`t run a 1000wt in a 600 ballast but was wondering if a 1000wt ballast would blow his bulbs.
The reason he wants to do this is because he feels the 1000wt`ers are running too damn hot and he has a lowish ceiling height. But he can`t afford to go out n buy another 3 600wt ballasts.

Anyone?

 

G

Guest

• Feb 5, 2006

• #2

It would run but not for long. Then it could explode and start a fire.

 

JLP

Active member

Veteran

• Feb 5, 2006

• #3

You should never run a 600 in a 1000 ballast.

Sounds like a good way to possibly ruin the equipment he does have.

A better solution would be to pull one of the lights out and use a light mover.

JLP

 

Last edited: Feb 5, 2006

stinger_489

Member

• Feb 5, 2006

• #4

ok guyz thanx for the input

 

MAC

New member

• Feb 6, 2006

• #5

As a rule of thumb, the lamps and ballasts need to be matched.
Some newer electronic and some pulse start haildes and low watt hps have some "close watt" compatibility, but most all the old core and coil stacks need that matched lamp type.
Think of a lamp as a short circuit. The warmer the lamp gets, the more current can flow. The ballast acts pretty much like an electrical choke and limits the lamp's self request for what is a death sentence of current.
Asking the ballast to correct for both improper voltage as well as current(power) is an Ohm's recipie for disaster.
Always check gear specs. and match HID components.
It's always worth the trouble.

 

stinger_489

Member

• Feb 6, 2006

• #6

Thanx Mac the message has been passed on to my friend...

 

Tokin White Guy

Member

• Feb 7, 2006

• #7

if he's having heat problems, is he using cool tubes? Those could def help..

 

marimbas

Member

• Feb 7, 2006

• #8

ballasts are made for certain ammound of watts. so are lights...

1000 watts ballast goes with 1000 watts light...
600 watts light goes with 600 watts ballast.

You dont use a light in the wrong ballast you can over heat it and it can explote (EXTREME SITUATION).

but you will burn down your ballast...

For those who dosnt know there is a place called HomeDepot they sell the bulbs of the EXACT Wattage of your ballast! and they are only $20 (around).

 

Tokin White Guy

Member

• Feb 8, 2006

• #9

yeah def, marimbas.... Try cool tubes with those 1000 watters. Lemme know if you don't know what those are, or I'm sure there's lots of info about them on other threads

 

stinger_489

Member

• Feb 14, 2006

• #10

Prob solved guyz...he`s been and bought 2 600wt ballasts....temp in room now down to around 23 degrees....

Thanx 2 all those that replied.