overdriving MH.

[TWINPEAKS]

Can you overdrive metal halide lamps like you can with pc's. EX. put a 175 bulb on a 250 ballast.This maybe a stupid question but was curious.

 

[fkdenton]

I have heard that it will blow the bulbs.

 

[DrBDC]

HQI ballasts overdrive the mh bulbs. i.e. 350 watts on a 250 watt bulb. That's why if you have hqi ballasts you "should" use hqi bulbs or the life of the bulb can be shortened.

 

[TWINPEAKS]

So could I put 175 watt bulbs on a 250 ballast without exploding the bulbs?

 

[DrBDC]

I don't think so but ?? There may be a frequency or other type difference which keeps you from doing that. Do they have 175 hqi ballasts?