MH ballast question

[alasg001]

Is it possible to put a higher watt bulb in an electronic ballast? The ballast is made by Sunpark. The ballast says "maximum output voltage 250v rms". It uses a double ended blub. The lights are made by Current USA and was marketed as a 300w system with two 150w bulbs and some LEDs. Other than burning down the house and ruining my light set what can happen if I put a higher watt bulb on this thing. I have heard that someone did it and it worked fine. I cant remember where I read that at though. I am kicking myself for not getting the higher watt system just because I think I need and want it now. Well with the current set up nothing has died and things seem to be coloring up nicely in the tank, and the heat does not seem to be an issue. I imagine I just want new stuff. Thanks in advance.

[envy]

I am kicking myself for not getting the higher watt system just because I think I need and want it now

you dont need a 400 watt your 250 is fine. 400 watt lights are made for deep tanks 3feet tall plus. unless you have a tall tank then desregard this post. Also someone on here has posted a thread about this in the past. i'll try and find it but not to sure where its at and how to make the search easier

[bimmerzs]

Hi,
The bulb and ballast must match for proper operation unless the ballast is switchable. A 150W ballast will most likely not fire a larger wattage bulb and even if it fired it somehow, the ballast will certainly not put out the higher current required. Another point is the 150W DE bulb sockets are different than 250W DE bulb sockets. Not sure where you would have read otherwise about the bulb/ballast.

Cheers,

[Kyle46N]

A ballast will only fire a bulb to the wattage at which the ballast is rated. A 250 watt ballast will only fire a 400 watt bulb to 250 watts.

[bimmerzs]

A ballast will only fire a bulb to the wattage at which the ballast is rated. A 250 watt ballast will only fire a 400 watt bulb to 250 watts.

Is that not what I said, maybe the way I said it wasn't clear.:wink_smile:

[Kyle46N]

Lol, thats what you said...I was just giving seconds.

[bimmerzs]

Lol, thats what you said...I was just giving seconds.
:bigsmile::bigsmile::lauging: Excellent....can we get a third..............

[alasg001]

Thanks everyone for the help. I guess this is a sign that I can wait for better lights till I get a bigger tank.