Dimmable ballast question?

I have just bought a dimmable ballast and the options are 250w 400w 600w & 660w
Now i know that the 660w is to overdrive a 600w bulb but if i am running on 400w can i put a 400w bulb in it or am i supposed to just run the normal 600w but the output will be reduced?


Edit* It's not a dimmable ballast it's a switchable ballast

The correct size bulb is always the best way to go...JAS

run the 600 the out put will be reduced if you run a diferent bulb it will not last long

JonnyAppleSeed420 said:

The correct size bulb is always the best way to go...JAS

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This is what i thought but as per post below i have also read posts saying to use the 600w bulb whatever setting i use.

thecoolman said:

run the 600 the out put will be reduced if you run a diferent bulb it will not last long

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So if i set the ballast to 400w and run a 400w bulb it will work ok but the bulb wont last long, is that correct?

I've also read on another forum that you can use a 400w bulb in a 600w dimmable ballast if the ballast is set at 400w .... but more interesting is that a 400w bulb in that same 600w ballast, set to 400w, is more efficient and pushes more light than a 600w bulb, dimmed down to 400w...

Is it a dimmable ballast or a switchable ballast? Sounds to me that it is switchable between lamp size. In other words you would need you would need 3 bulbs, going from 250 to 600. I would contact the manufacturer and check before I bought any bulbs.

a lot of dimmable ballasts start up at fulll power until the lamp is warmed up. If you want a ballast that will run all wattage (400, 600 and 1kw) lamps then a solis tek is what you want. I'm sure there are other ballasts on the market that have the same feature but I've never seen one. Solis tek matrix, 3 ballasts in one.

reddiamond said:

This is what i thought but as per post below i have also read posts saying to use the 600w bulb whatever setting i use.



So if i set the ballast to 400w and run a 400w bulb it will work ok but the bulb wont last long, is that correct?YES

I've also read on another forum that you can use a 400w bulb in a 600w dimmable ballast if the ballast is set at 400w .... but more interesting is that a 400w bulb in that same 600w ballast, set to 400w, is more efficient and pushes more light than a 600w bulb, dimmed down to 400w...

Click to expand...

Yes a 400 set at 400 is a little bit brighter than a 600 operated at 400. a 400 set at 600 will degrade very fast
and lose brightness. a 400 in a 600 balast set at 400 will not last long and is not recommended

Jimdamick said:

Is it a dimmable ballast or a switchable ballast? Sounds to me that it is switchable between lamp size. In other words you would need you would need 3 bulbs, going from 250 to 600. I would contact the manufacturer and check before I bought any bulbs.

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You are correct, it is a switchable ballast i found some more info, I will buy 2 bulbs, a 400w & 600w.

The Sunmaster FX 600 Power pack gives you the flexibility to power 250W-600W HPS and Metal Halide lamps with just one ballast.
* PLEASE NOTE: We do not recommend dimming a 600w lamp down to the lower settings! Always switch off your light, wait for your lamp to cool, remove and replace with one that matches the chosen dimmed wattage setting. This is due to the loss of PAR (Plant Useable) light output when lamps are run at lower wattages. For example, dimming a 600w lamp to 400w would use 33% less power but would lose 50% of it's specified PAR output.

thecoolman said:

Yes a 400 set at 400 is a little bit brighter than a 600 operated at 400. a 400 set at 600 will degrade very fast
and lose brightness. a 400 in a 600 balast set at 400 will not last long and is not recommended

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That's funny.

Alot of dimmable/switchable ballast manufacturers recommend using the correct lamp for the feature enabled.

Mainly due to PAR differences when dimming lamps.

Most hps lamps are not recommended to be dimmed below 50% of their actual wattage.



J

confusion about this subject is running rampant of late. dude at my local shop hasn't even caught up to it.