250w bulb in a 400w ballast?

[7th1der]

What will happen if I put a 250w HPS bulb in a 400w HPS digital ballast?

Will it cause a fire?

Is the ballast way too strong for that sissy bulb? and will it blow it?

Or will it be fine and I have nothing to worry about? cause this 400w bulb is kickin some heat.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ripz]

it'll melt probably at best catch fire at worst

 

[7th1der]

it'll melt probably at best catch fire at worst

You ever tried it?

 

[ripz]

yes it melted and bubbled up like blown glass. i never give advice unless i'm sure of what i'm saying.

 

[DontKnowBeans]

Yeah, you can't do that unless your ballast is designed for bulbs of different wattages. You need an air cooled reflector. If cost is an issue there are instructions for DIY on this site.

 

[ripz]

dont get a cool tube they are arse, get a sputnik its the dogs danglys

 

[DontKnowBeans]

Yeah, the one I have is similar to a cool tube and it's a pain to change the bulb. Those look like they'd be easier to work with.

http://www.growell.co.uk/p/1730/Sputnik-Air-Cooled-Grow-Lights.html

 

[ripz]

yeah thats what i use just gotta get some silicon sealent when you put it together

 

[DontKnowBeans]

lol, I should have looked at his sig. He already has a DIY Cool Tube. Okay, even though it's a digital ballast it's going to give off some heat so it should be outside the grow room. You might need a more powerful fan too.

 

[7th1der]

Yeah, you can't do that unless your ballast is designed for bulbs of different wattages. You need an air cooled reflector. If cost is an issue there are instructions for DIY on this site.

I made a DIY yourself cool tube and hook'd up a 4" duct fan inside my cab and It get pretty hot in matter of minutes. Imma make some ventilation holes and add a PC fan and see what happens.

 

[7th1der]

lol, I should have looked at his sig. He already has a DIY Cool Tube. Okay, even though it's a digital ballast it's going to give off some heat so it should be outside the grow room. You might need a more powerful fan too.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm running my temperature test now tests now. lol

 

[dgafaboutanyone]

oh ... i dont think you weanan do that you should alwasy have eveyting correct
if your ganan grow in your home! so you dont kill your self!!!
>_< just trying 2 keep it safe good luck tho!

 

[7th1der]

Thanks all!

 

[ripz]

i tried it it ran fine for about 2 weeks then i went in one day light was off and melted into a big bubble
dont do it m8 your risking your safety

 

[7th1der]

i tried it it ran fine for about 2 weeks then i went in one day light was off and melted into a big bubble
dont do it m8 your risking your safety

I'm clearly not gonna do it! Just was wondering because the temps from the 400w bulb was very hot. Changed the ventilation of the cool tube and it is fine now! Thanx to all of you that replied to this thread!

 

[ripz]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm running my temperature test now tests now. lol

sorry m8 thought you meant you was testing the 250 in there