MH bulb in an HPS?

[Pensive]

I've read that you can put a regular (non-conversion) MH bulb into an HPS ballast and have it work ok. Apparently it shortens the life of the bulb a bit, but this doesn't matter to me since I change my bulb once a year.

Does anyone have direct experience with this? Or know someone who has?

[kdspecial]

Im Almost positive this is a Big NO NO.

Every store site I have been to looking at their light systems all express that a HPS Ballest is for HPS and MH is for MH.

They wouldn't make conversion bulbs If they didn't need too right?

I have never tried it though lets us know if you do.

kd

[Tokudai]

If they are rated the same watts, then just remove the ignitor from the HPS circuit, and voila! its an MH ballast now..

The HPS is under High pressure (duh! ;)) and so it needs the ignitor to step up the current. The metal halide does not use the ignitor, but the other hardware is the same

All the switchable ballasts do, is have a toggle switch that isolates the ignitor from the circuit.

[GreenShamen]

is this really possibl;e???

[invision]

sure it is thats how they make a switchable ballast they have the ignitor on a on off switch (the blue wire)

[GreenShamen]

rockin.. thanks

[BOYZNUS]

LETS HOPE. I'M GONNA TRY IT.

[BlueBear]

You will need to change your bulb more than once a year IMO. I like to change mine about every 8 months without doing what your doing.
Adieu

[mistyganjatree]

all the ballests ive ever had run both MH and HPS no probs!
there is no conversion needed
the bulb matches the ballast
600 watts HPS 600 watts MH
no probs!