Small pc bulb on bigger ballast?

[Anonymous]

I think this is a stupid question, but I have to ask - can I run a 27 watt pc bulb on a 96 watt ballast?

I think no, but you people are smarter than me.

RR

 

[Anonymous]

hi.
I never try it, but my common sense seems to tell me that it will either not work, or the bulb going to burn out really quick.

 

[MattM]

Actually, if it's an eletronic ballast it probably will work. And it may not even significantly reduce the bulb life. The ballast is capable of supplying more current, but the bulb won't draw it. We've tried the wrong electronic ballast on the wrong bulb in just about every combination and it usually works.

If it's a magnetic ballast, then don't try it - you will probably destroy the bulb rather quickly.

 

[Speedy5200]

i agree, if its electronic, it should be fine. I have a ballast made to drive 2 - 55wpc, and i used it to light my fuge , with 2- 27w quads and its been fine so far for 3 months. Dont try it with a magnetic ballast though.

 

[Anonymous]

See, I knew you guys were smarter than me. Thanks, my fuge will be very happy.

Matt, I just sent off an email to Inland Reef seeing if you can get the bulb I want even thought it is not listed on the website. You rock and I want to give you my money!

Thanks

RR

 

[Big R]

Technically, the lamp would be substantially over-driven; 4x's so if you used the type of ballasts we use. If your ballast has 4 red wires, you could just use 1 (cap the others) and you would then be operating it correctly. Overdriving the lamp by that much could cause some problems with overheating the lamps base, especially at the lamps end-of-life.

R