Running non-pulse start lights on pulse start ballast?

[justinzimm]

Has anyone out there used non-pusle start lights (hamiltons and the like) with a pulse start ballast? I have few M135 ballasts would like to use them with my 400W hamiltons.

I have read that it's not recommended.

Thanks,

Justin

 

[justinzimm]

^

 

[pvtschultz]

A probe start probably won't light off very well without the "probe" being heated to start up the plasma. If you have the equipment already, try it, but I doubt that you'll have much (if any) success.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

You cannot start a probe on a pulse and visa versa. The bulb will not ignite and best case scenario you'll shorten the life of the bulb. Worse case scenario you start a fire. You should always shoot for matching the bulb with the ballast properly. Each ballast type (and even brand to some extent) is particularly designed to run certain bulbs. If you don't match them correctly, you will not have good results.

 

[justinzimm]

Thanks for the replies. I did try the bulb in the ballast. It fired and seemed to be running normal. I remember hearing that it might ruin the bulb or shorten the life. (like you say) If there is a chance of something going wrong I'll probalby just wait till I can purchase some Ushios or Radiums for this ballast.

Jusitn

 

[pvtschultz]

Probes tend to ignite far better then pulse lamps on the opposite ballasts. People used to use Ushios on mag ballast years ago before the large selection of components became available. They might not always ignite reliably and shortened life should not be a suprise.