600w dimmable digital ballast, would a 250w bulb be safe on the 250w setting?

F

Frylock

• Jul 16, 2019

• #1

Hi peoples,

I have a 600 watt digital ballast that has 400w and 250w settings but i've ever only used a 600w bulb when testing the lower power levels....

My 600w bulb died and i wondered if it would be safe to just use a 250w bulb on the 250w setting until i get a new 600w replacement?

Thanks for any help.

 

Stoner4Life

Medicinal Advocate

ICMag Donor

Veteran

• Jul 17, 2019

• #2

Frylock said:

Hi peoples,

I have a 600 watt digital ballast that has 400w and 250w settings but i've ever only used a 600w bulb when testing the lower power levels....

My 600w bulb died and i wondered if it would be safe to just use a 250w bulb on the 250w setting until i get a new 600w replacement?

Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

idk why you'd not have confidence in doing so... but to allay any fears read up on the latest reviews of your particular ballast

checking youtube as well

 

Dropped Cat

Six Gummi Bears and Some Scotch

Veteran

• Jul 17, 2019

• #3

Just assume the 250W bulb will fail when you least expect it.

In my opinion, get the 600W replacement asap.

 

L

Leaflet

Active member

• Jul 17, 2019

• #4

I've seen this question brought up on several forums and the answer has always been that the bulb needs to match the ballast.

 

F

Frylock

• Jul 17, 2019

• #5

Leaflet said:

I've seen this question brought up on several forums and the answer has always been that the bulb needs to match the ballast.

Click to expand...

Digital ballast with 3 settings.... 600w, 400w and 250w.

I'm not trying to put a 250w into a 600w only ballast.

 

rolandomota

Well-known member

Veteran

• Jul 17, 2019

• #6

This is why you always need a backup bulb you never only have one so buy two asap an hps and mh bulb

 

budsnblunts

Well-known member

Veteran

• Jul 17, 2019

• #7

I have used a 250 wat hps and 250 mh bulb in my digital ballast. No problems. I'll find the brand.
https://www.hydroexperts.com.au/Blackline-Digital-Dimmable-HPS-MH-Ballast-600W-1-Year-Warranty

 

L

Leaflet

Active member

• Jul 17, 2019

• #8

Frylock said:

Digital ballast with 3 settings.... 600w, 400w and 250w.

I'm not trying to put a 250w into a 600w only ballast.

Click to expand...

Yep, I understand. This is the exact same question I've seen posed before.
I have no personal experience with this. I'm just passing on the answer that I've seen on other forums for the same question.

 

L

Leaflet

Active member

• Jul 17, 2019

• #9

I just did a quick Google search, and the answers are all over the place from, "No, you run the risk of a bulb exploding," to, "Yes, but the lower wattage bulb won't fire correctly and won't produce the right spectrum," to, "I've done it and it worked fine."

Just a thought - how about emailing the ballast manufacturer and asking them?

 

F

Frylock

• Jul 17, 2019

• #10

Leaflet said:

I just did a quick Google search, and the answers are all over the place from, "No, you run the risk of a bulb exploding," to, "Yes, but the lower wattage bulb won't fire correctly and won't produce the right spectrum," to, "I've done it and it worked fine."

Just a thought - how about emailing the ballast manufacturer and asking them?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies folks.

I had actually forgot that i have a cheap, giant brick of a 250w ballast that i can use until i get some new bulbs.
I really don't want to explode this one.

Thanks again.

 

Douglas.Curtis

Autistic Diplomat in Training

• Jul 17, 2019

• #11

Good, much safer to run the proper lamp in your ballasts. The biggest issue I see is, for some strange reason we cannot fathom, the ballast gets turned up at some point and BANG!

 

F

FlaDankster

Active member

Veteran

• Jul 17, 2019

• #12

Yes you can run the 250 watt bulb.Just be careful to not up your settings of course.

I have a dimmable lumatek 600 and i've ran 400 watt bulbs in it due to the same reason you're in.

It's always been my understanding that we should match the bulb to the wattage we're using on a dimmable ballast due to not affecting the spectrum of the bulb.I can see why as with a 600 watt bulb screwed in and lowering the wattage would change the color being emitted.