A Widow Maker
Member
Can I use a 400W bulb with a 600W ballast? When we have a 400W or a 600W etc etc ballast, does this mean that we can use UP TO the wattage of the ballast or do we HAVE to use THE wattage of the ballast?
Have you tried before?No. You cannot use differently rated bulbs with different ballasts. If you use a bulb not rated for the ballast, it may light up, but the bulb will burn out very prematurely. More likely it will just not start. Make sure to match up the type of bulb as well, Metal Halide vs. High Pressure Sodium, because that matters too.
I have put a 430 watt bulb on a 400 W ballast and the bulb burned out in under 2 months. You can try using a different bulb if you want to, but it will surely decrease the life of the bulb.Have you tried before?