Call me Crazy....Can I use my VHO bulbs as NOs?

[Grumpy Vet]

Hi all....

I searched for some time for this answer on several boards - and was unable to find the answer. I have an extra tank I am attempting to get some lighting over. I have a couple 4' VHO bulbs that have some life left in them that I am no longer using.

Can I safely plug these VHO bulbs into a shoplight or other NO configuration? I fully understand I won't get 110W output....just looking for 40W right now.

Will the bulbs attempt to draw 110W, stress out my ballast / shoplight, cause my wiring to melt, my house to implode and basically the ceasing of any rotation of the earth upon its axis?

Thank you kindly for advice....this situtation would be temporary.....

GV

 

[Clownkeeper]

The answer is yes IMO you can do this.. just as you said will not get 110watts of light out of them only the 40. When i first got my VHO ballast i ran regular shop lights on the tank during the cycle period so i didnt have to rush right out and get my vho's and it worked fine that way also..
Hope this helps

Troy

 

[Anonymous]

Clownkeeper, it sounds like what you described is the exact opposite of what Grumpy Vet is asking. You had NO bulbs running on a VHO ballast, while he is asking if he can run VHO bulbs on an NO ballast.

I'm not VHO expert, but I believe the bulbs will flicker and not light fully in this configuration.

I've had problems getting a 20W NO bulb to light on an 18W ballast. The bulb continually flickers and never ignites fully. I believe you will expereince this problem too.

[ January 06, 2002: Message edited by: Chris George ]</p>

 

[Big R]

Correct, VHO bulbs will not run on a NO ballast.

R

 

[dmm32]

Hi,

VHO will not run on a standard ballast,but standard bulds will fire on a VHO ballsat.


David

 

[Anonymous]

You're CRAZY!

 

[Ph]

The start current on a VHO bulb is greater than what a NO ballast can handle. Sorry won't work.

HTH

Ph