250w DE bulb on a 175w Ballast?

[worldchanger]

I was wondering if it's possible to run the 250w DE bulbs on a 175w ballast? The reason I'm asking this is I have an older 36" Odyssea Metal Halide fixture that has has 3 moon lights, two CF 65W Actinic lights, and two 175w DE Metal Halide lights. From what I have seen, I can't find any of the major manufacturers who make at 175w DE bulb anymore.

I have found some generic 175w DE bulbs on ebay, but to be honest wish to stay away from there as a source unless I have to.

The other option I guess would be to run a 150w DE bulb ont he 175w ballast.

Of these two ideas which would be the best for par, coloration, bulb life, and physically possible?

 

[tkeracer619]

You cannot run the 250w bulbs but the 150w bulbs work just fine. You can retrofit it but it might cost more then its worth. BTW, the older ones seem to have crappy ballasts if I remember correctly. Do a search for the big thread pertaining to odyssea fixtures for good bulb choices. I think I remember something about a few types of bulbs that won't fire. Its best to look it up then have a bulb you can't use. I would help more but my net is slow so I really can't use the search feature.

BTW... Welcome to RC

 

[worldchanger]

Thanks, I have been around for a while just never posted until now hahaha. I have always done a lot of reading on here before. How does running the 150w Bulb on the 175w Ballast effect things or does it?

 

[allsps40]

No you need to run the correct ballast for the bulb ie 250w bulb 25o ballast ot 175w bulb need a 175w ballast.

 

[worldchanger]

So does anyone know of a source for 175w DE bulbs???

 

[allsps40]

Hellolights.com and Ebay for sure. 175w bulbs should be pretty easy to find. Here is a link
http://www.hellolights.com/175watt.aspx

 

[worldchanger]

They don't have Double Ended 175w bulbs. I found some on ebay, but of any particular name brand. They all appear to be cheap knockoff bulbs

http://compare.ebay.com/like/280403574297?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y

I'm looking for something that is actually worth getting. This is why my only option seems to be using a 150w bulb on my 175w ballast or purchasing 250w ballasts.

 

[worldchanger]

So I was doing some more research and found a post on another forum talking about this fixture and the 175w DE bulb and how they don't exist. Even though the fixture is labeled as a 175w DE Metal Halide system it is really a 150 DE Metal Halide system. I haven't physically pulled out the bulb to look at it as they are still running in the system.

http://www.michiganreefers.com/foru...-ever-used-odyssea-metal-halide-system-2.html