Burning Mh in sodium ballasts???

[StinkyFgrs]

When I purchased Xtra Sun sodium ballasts a couple of years ago,I wanted switchable,but the shop was out of stock.The shop owner said I can run halide bulbs in sodium ballasts but the bulbs won't last as long and they will run a little hotter.

Will running Mh damage the ballasts?

 

[~fvk~]

I guess it wont, but I wouldn't do it myself. I'm sure plenty of people do it without a problem, though.

Check this thread: http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=134427

 

[Bobby Stainless]

You need a Conversion bulb.

Or a Ceramic Metal Halide.

 

[EvilTwin]

SF,
It is possible to convert a HPS ballast to a MH ballast. But it involved removing the starter from the circuit and wiring in a HPS condenser. That's how the switchables do it.

But just using a MH bulb...you won't hurt anything except the bulb probably won't function properly nor last as long.

BobbyStrainless gave you the best advice. I'd choose the CMH since conversion bulbs are notoriously ineffient.
ET

 

[StinkyFgrs]

Thanks all,I've run sunmaster cool deluxe in a couple of veg cycles and they worked awesome.I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to bugger my ballasts.I have tried conversion bulbs and I get better results with sodium.I only tried one brand of conversions and that was the last,they cost more and emmit way less.

 

[deepforest]

ive run MH 1kw bulb in HPS 1kw c&c ballast for months on 24/0 without problems.

 

[Numboard]

buy a ceramic metal halide
Check the sticky

 

[StinkyFgrs]

Thanks again everyone for your input.