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So this may be a dumb question, but oh well i couldnt find an answer. Anyway, recently my ballast burned out, and the company that i ordered a new one from sent me a 1000 watt ballast when i ordered a 400 watt one.
So can my 400w bulb work with a 1000w ballst or no?
NO.
You need same rated (watt) bulb, for same rated (watt) ballast.
Also, unless it's a switchable ballast, you need HPS bulb for HPS ballast; same for Metal Halide bulbs/ballast.
Unless, you use conversion bulbs....simple...isn't it.....:stoned:..but they still need to be same wattage....enjoy.
It would be like putting a 60 watt light bulb in a 150watt socket..
Don't do it :)
A ballast typically has a transformer, in this case a step-up variety. A 400 hps usually requires 270-350v, and a 1000hps requiring much higher. The Ballast also has a capacitor of a set rating 30-75 uf depending on the bulb. The ballast also has a way of getting the bulb very excited at start-up and that is an igniter. Now when you stick a 1000w bulb in a 400w socket then transformer,cap,ign have no way of firing the bulb. My guess is that it will be dim, not start, or just plain burn shit up.
NOTE:
Now just dont go hooking up 270-350 volts to your light to skip the whole ballast thing(for those too stoned).