Can I use my 175w magnetic ballast to fire a 150w DE halide?

widmer · 12/04/2008, 02:48 AM

I had a nice setup going with my 175w SE halide in a parabolic reflector over my 40br. Now I'm just running a standard 10 gallon which the pendant looks way too big for. Can I use the same ballast and wire it into a 150w SE pendant and fire that?

Secondary question: Should I go with a 14k phoenix or a 15k xm?

Tertiary question: Does it matter what glass I use to block UV if I DIY the DE pendant?

Thanks x3

PaulErik · 12/04/2008, 08:07 AM

A standard 175-watt magnetic ballast is not compatible with Double-Ended (DE) 150-watt lamps. They are built to different standards. They use a totally different starting method. Double-Ended lamps require a ballast with a lamp starter (ignitor) to start the lamp. Another problem is the lamp operating current. The ballast provides/limits current to the lamp. A 175-watt ballast actually provides less operating current to a lamp than a Double-Ended lamp is designed for.

The glass used for metal halide fixtures needs to be tempered glass.

12/04/2008, 02:48 AM	#1
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Can I use my 175w magnetic ballast to fire a 150w DE halide? I had a nice setup going with my 175w SE halide in a parabolic reflector over my 40br. Now I'm just running a standard 10 gallon which the pendant looks way too big for. Can I use the same ballast and wire it into a 150w SE pendant and fire that? Secondary question: Should I go with a 14k phoenix or a 15k xm? Tertiary question: Does it matter what glass I use to block UV if I DIY the DE pendant? Thanks x3

12/04/2008, 08:07 AM	#2
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	A standard 175-watt magnetic ballast is not compatible with Double-Ended (DE) 150-watt lamps. They are built to different standards. They use a totally different starting method. Double-Ended lamps require a ballast with a lamp starter (ignitor) to start the lamp. Another problem is the lamp operating current. The ballast provides/limits current to the lamp. A 175-watt ballast actually provides less operating current to a lamp than a Double-Ended lamp is designed for. The glass used for metal halide fixtures needs to be tempered glass.