1000w ballast/can it fire 2 400w?

[caferacermike]

I'm looking at a great deal on a 1,000w ballast and I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried, or knows why not to, 2x 400w bulbs and reflectors from the one ballast.

[Texreefer]

it will probably overdrive your bulbs and burn them out

[caferacermike]

I'd be cool with that. I'm wondering if it can ignite 2 bulbs. I figure we all trade our bulbs between 8-12 months. I wouldn't care a bit if the bulbs actually burned out around then. What am I going to do with a box full of MH bulbs that have "color changed" anyways?

[Texreefer]

if they worked that long that would be cool.. i'm wondering if they would last a few weeks? why not buy it and try acouple of old bulbs.. if they don't work use the 1000w up high in the center and the two 400w on either side

[caferacermike]

I got to thinking awhile back about the Blue Wave ballast on the Maristar fixture from Sunlight Supply. I was told that they actually push around 280W through 250w bulbs and the bulbs just scream bright. I figured a 400w could be able to handle a few extra watts after seeing that set up but figured I'd ask around first.

[Texreefer]

theoretically only 100 extra watts per bulb. i don't know enough about electricity to give a good answer,, just seems like a bit too much wattage to try to push through there,, i would be interested to see how they perform though