Two bulbs, one ballast

Drizzt · #1 11-20-2009, 03:11 AM

I'm building my own ballast and I wanted to know if I could use a 400 watt kit and split it to two 200 watt bulbs? I don't see how it could be a problem, then again, I'm no electrician. I could always get a 430 watt kit to be safer.

T.H.Cammo · #2 11-22-2009, 01:28 AM

Sorry to tell you, but it doesn't work that way. Each HID bulb needs to have it's own ballast because "lighting" the bulb is a two-step operation:
1. The ballast uses "high power" to strike (initiate the discharge tube).
2. Then it switches to "low power" (for "warm-up" and "running" mode).

The problem is that any two HID bulbs are not likely to "flick" on at the same, exact, instant. Therefore, only the first one on will illuminate.

whatapothead · #3 11-22-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

permalink
Sorry to tell you, but it doesn't work that way. Each HID bulb needs to have it's own ballast because "lighting" the bulb is a two-step operation:
1. The ballast uses "high power" to strike (initiate the discharge tube).
2. Then it switches to "low power" (for "warm-up" and "running" mode).

The problem is that any two HID bulbs are not likely to "flick" on at the same, exact, instant. Therefore, only the first one on will illuminate.

+rep for great answer

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