running a ballast with no bulb?

why would you do this??

just cause....anyone know the answer?

I don't think it would do anything same as any other light socket without a bulb in it just don't lick ur finger and c what happens if u stick it in the socket. That and I don't know anyone that would do this just to c if it would ruin their ballast, so I think u might be at a bit of a loss tryin to find someone with exp doin this.

its a waste of power for sure and pointless

why don't you do it for a week and let us know

I will try if you want, i have a 400 and 1000 sitting in the basement, i would imagine a magnetic would, digital, i wonder

i'm not sure about the no affect as a ballast doesn't work the same way as a house light .... a ballast fires high rates of current to a bulb, and when the bulb fires, the current drops.. idk watt would happen if there would be no bulb for the current to drop...

interesting question, one i don't know the answer to, but i don't think it's as simple as saying it's the same as not having a bulb in a normal house hold socket, that's for sure..

Originally Posted by bluntmassa1

its a waste of power for sure and pointless

I agree. I just replaced three commercial grocery store florescent ballasts. I replaced each hot because that is how I roll. With no bulbs in the fixture, there was still a small spark when I connected the power leads. It drains power just like your cell phone charger even if the cell phone is not attached. If ballasts work like stereo amps, not having speakers connected causes them to heat up and burn out since there is no load and the power has to be dissipated by the amp...or in this case the ballast.