Ballast Question?

[Ct Midnite]

I went to buy a ballast to make a canopy for a 36 in tank. When I got
to the store I find that there were many ballasts for 48 in bulbs but
none at that store for 36 in bulbs. To uncommon I was told.

My question is are 40 watt ballast ok for 30 watt bulbs? My thinking
is that since they don't stock 30 watt ballast maybe people just
routinely use 40's for 30's.

My little bit of knowledge tells me that the 40 watt ballasts may just
have the capacity to run something that takes 40 watts while a 30 watt
ballast would eventually burn out from over heating running a 40 watt
bulb.

The only reason a 40 watt ballast wouldn't work is if the ballast
actually puts out a higher voltage and would burn out the bulb.

My hope is that they put out the same voltage and the 40 watt ballast
would just be under worked.

But then a little bit of knowledge can sometimes be a dangerous thing.
:)

I was hoping some electrician out there would know.

Ct Midnite



http://www.geocities.com/ctmidnite53/

[BR549]

I never used a 40 watt ballast to run a 30 watt lamp, so I do not know what
to expect, but will give you a good alternative.

The Fulham Workhorse7 ballast is a good choice at $35.95 + S&H,
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/100103.html , can be
found cheaper at Hughes Supply, one of these ballasts can power up to 220
watts of PC, VHO or NO lamps, i believe it one or the other not combinations
of these.

Here are wiring diagrams for this ballast, http://www.fulham.com/wiring.html
, choose the one that fits your needs, if you cannot figure it out email
Fulhams help department and they will give you a diagram for your setup.

These balasts are electronic and the price sure beats the hell out of
IceCaps price.

I am using mine to power 2 36" VHO's.

BR549

"Ct Midnite" <mreef2.10.muffin@spamgourmet.(nospam)com> wrote in message
...
> I went to buy a ballast to make a canopy for a 36 in tank. When I got
> to the store I find that there were many ballasts for 48 in bulbs but
> none at that store for 36 in bulbs. To uncommon I was told.
>
> My question is are 40 watt ballast ok for 30 watt bulbs? My thinking
> is that since they don't stock 30 watt ballast maybe people just
> routinely use 40's for 30's.
>
> My little bit of knowledge tells me that the 40 watt ballasts may just
> have the capacity to run something that takes 40 watts while a 30 watt
> ballast would eventually burn out from over heating running a 40 watt
> bulb.
>
> The only reason a 40 watt ballast wouldn't work is if the ballast
> actually puts out a higher voltage and would burn out the bulb.
>
> My hope is that they put out the same voltage and the 40 watt ballast
> would just be under worked.
>
> But then a little bit of knowledge can sometimes be a dangerous thing.
> :)
>
> I was hoping some electrician out there would know.
>
> Ct Midnite
>
>
>
> http://www.geocities.com/ctmidnite53/
>