So I got a HPS 250 watt lamp. My bulb went out and I had a GE multivapor MH 400 watt bulb laying around so I stuck it in the place of the hps blub. It actually works. But I'm wondering....a few things. 1 is this dangerous? A MH bulb on a HPS ballast. And then what about using a 400 watt bulb on a 250watt lamp....how many watts would actually be produced....and is this normal that a lower watt lamp/ballast can power a higher bulb? I was under the assumption that it wouldn't be able to power the bulb....?
TIA
Fiberoptx

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Conversion Bulbs make it possible to run a metal halide (MH) bulb from your high pressure sodium (HPS) ballast or a HPS bulb from your MH ballast.

Is what you have a conversion buib?

No its not. That's why I asked the question.

Ok I'm no electrican but with my knowledge the lamp will work but the bulbs life will be shortened due to the bulb having to little current going through it. as far as the wattate issue the bulb would be brighter and in the correct, as advertised for the the bulb you have, specturm. Electricity will flow but your lamp , ballast or wiring all are at risk. You should discontinue using this as this poses a fire risk. Use the correct bulbs for your ballast.

And by the way a multi vapor is a conversion bulb( ie get it MULTI) And still poses the same riskes as above because of the wattage issues.

what happens is the 400 watt bulb trys to pull 400 watts from your 250 ballast causing the thing to overheat, never mind the fact that your using the wrong bulb, if money is the issue go to home depot and get one of those regular mh bulbs for like $15, it will work good

Wow, thanks for digging up this old-ass thread bro.

FTR: A 400w lamp won't fire in a 250w ballast & yes, a MH lamp will fire in a HPS ballast of the same wattage.

personaly i'd get that bulb out of there, just a big fire danger waiting to happen

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Nothing's more dangerous than an unlit lamp.

LOL this was like 3 years ago and those are the guys only 2 post, must not of turned out to well for him.