911!! lights-out emergency!!

stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
:!:ok, so we had a SERIOUS thunderstorm & one of my ballasts got fried.
I have a twin 600dig. that I can run, but only have one bulb. I also have a 1000w bulb from the rig that got hit.
I REALLY need to run 2 lights over this garden, and my new 600w bulbs won't arrive for about a week.
:?:Can I run the 1000w bulb with 600w power supply, safely.(This is a lumatek digital ballast that is not dimable, but I have seen this option on a 1000w ballast...50%,75%,100% power = 500w-750w-1000w.) I know it is possible to dim without bulb damage, my fear is will the OVERSIZED bulb create added draw/stress/strain to the ballast if I use this bulb for the next week, untill I get the proper bulbs....:confused:
 
megs

megs

Active Member
You'd think because of my profesion I'd know this but I'm drawing a huge blank right now............
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
I guess my question amounts to this......if the bulb is; an appliance, & the ballast is; the power supply, then would the 1000w appliance be asking for more than the 600w power supply can give? SAFELY..........I can't afford to damage another ballast, it's an absolute miracle that I have a back-up at all, but that's a whole new thread I don't have time for right now!
 
megs

megs

Active Member
The more I think about it, the more I know you'll be fine. This would be like plugging in a 100w incadecent normal house light into a socket that give's 60w power. The bulb would be a bit dimmer. If that makes any sence. I'm almost a hundred percent sertain you can run this setup.
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
megs said:
Give me info on amps and volts please.
Click to expand...
All I can gather is that the ballast is drawing 5.5A(remember this is a TWIN 600w, so I would assume that is with both lamps burning) running at 220-240V, and the bulb is a standard 1000w hps that I have used at both 110-120V and 220-240V.
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
megs said:
The more I think about it, the more I know you'll be fine. This would be like plugging in a 100w incadecent normal house light into a socket that give's 60w power. The bulb would be a bit dimmer. If that makes any sence. I'm almost a hundred percent sertain you can run this setup.
Click to expand...
I thought it should work, just real nervous about it, I just paid $400 for this new rig and don't want to screw it up before I get proper bulbs for it!
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
any other opinions would be great..........not to doubt your post megs, just like choosing a doctor ya know. It's not just the ballast, it's the garden too!! If this ballast goes........I'm uckedfay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
C

ChicoGranjero

Well-Known Member
you can plug a higher wattage BULB into a lower wattage ballast with no problem... however u cannot plug a BULB into a ballast that has higher wattage than the ballast.

If you plug a 1000 watt bulb into a 600 watt ballast that bulb is simply going to run dim. it wont overheat, blow up, or any of that nonsense. Basically its been designed to accept UP TO 1000 watts of electricity to run the amount of gas that is packed inside of it. this is why brownouts do not blow bulbs... but spikes and surges do.

HOWEVER... if you plug a 600 watt bulb into a 1000 watt ballast... stand back and watch the sparks fly because that ballast is going to overload that baby.
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
ChicoGranjero said:
you can plug a higher wattage BULB into a lower wattage ballast with no problem... however u cannot plug a BULB into a ballast that has higher wattage than the ballast.

If you plug a 1000 watt bulb into a 600 watt ballast that bulb is simply going to run dim. it wont overheat, blow up, or any of that nonsense. Basically its been designed to accept UP TO 1000 watts of electricity to run the amount of gas that is packed inside of it. this is why brownouts do not blow bulbs... but spikes and surges do.

HOWEVER... if you plug a 600 watt bulb into a 1000 watt ballast... stand back and watch the sparks fly because that ballast is going to overload that baby.
Click to expand...
do you know this to be fact?
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
ok, so I thought it would work, & the only others that care to say agree...........that's 3-0..........no nay-sayers? I'm getting anxious, it's been just over an hour since lights on........I can almost hear them screaming for more light!!
 
megs

megs

Active Member
It's alright. From the imformation you posted you're good to go. But a second opinion is good because hey, everyone makes mistakes.
 
megs

megs

Active Member
ChicoGranjero said:
you can plug a higher wattage BULB into a lower wattage ballast with no problem... however u cannot plug a BULB into a ballast that has higher wattage than the ballast.

If you plug a 1000 watt bulb into a 600 watt ballast that bulb is simply going to run dim. it wont overheat, blow up, or any of that nonsense. Basically its been designed to accept UP TO 1000 watts of electricity to run the amount of gas that is packed inside of it. this is why brownouts do not blow bulbs... but spikes and surges do.

HOWEVER... if you plug a 600 watt bulb into a 1000 watt ballast... stand back and watch the sparks fly because that ballast is going to overload that baby.
Click to expand...

So we agree then, do we not?
 
C

ChicoGranjero

Well-Known Member
i know it cuz i tried it and o, btw, it wont really BLOW UP with spectacular sparks if you plug a low watt bulb into a high watt ballast it simply just burns out really quick. and it wont blow the ballast it just blows the light on that first ignite when the ballast pushes that surge of electricity.

NOW SMOKE A BOWL AND PLUG THAT BITCH IN!!! you'll be fine bro...
 
stonedloner

stonedloner

Active Member
ChicoGranjero said:
i know it cuz i tried it and o, btw, it wont really BLOW UP with spectacular sparks if you plug a low watt bulb into a high watt ballast it simply just burns out really quick. and it wont blow the ballast it just blows the light on that first ignite when the ballast pushes that surge of electricity.

NOW SMOKE A BOWL AND PLUG THAT BITCH IN!!! you'll be fine bro...
Click to expand...
well, it's up and running. It's burning at least as bright as the 600w bulb beside it!! Now when my new 600w hortilux bulbs come in I'll have a pair of spankin new ones.........going from 1000+600 to 600+600.......thinking of adding my current single 600w as well!!
I've been running 1600w with two lamps on a 5'x9' garden, if I add the third I can go 1800w with three lamps & give each 3x5 area 600w, does this sound like it's worth the added draw for this size garden? (only 200w more than before)
 
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