32 watt bulbs on 55 watt ballast?

[alti]

i have an extra 2x55 pc retro that i wanted to use on my small hex tank if possible. the 55 watt bulbs are way too long, so is it possible to just use 32 watt bulbs on that ballast or would i be overdriving them too much? thanks.

 

[alti]

anyone?

 

[10k]

what brand is the retro, and ballast if possible. Are the ballasts electronic or not?

 

[alti]

it is an AGA solid state electronic ballast model# 200.

 

[10k]

You should be fine running a lower wattage bulb with any "electronic ballast". They are engineered to run a range of wattages, not just one....HTH

 

[alti]

thanks 10k,

 

[melbournefl]

Are you sure about that 10K? I've been told that you can underdrive a bulb but not overdrive it
Just my .02, maybe the electrical wizard Broomer can jump in here and share an opinion or thirty
Later,
Paul

 

[alti]

thanks paul,
i got one yes and one no
anyone want to break this tie

 

[10k]

OK, think about this.
Ice Cap ballasts can run up to a certain amount of bulbs (depending on model) for a certain amount of linear feet, and a certain amount of wattage.
These same ballasts can run up to the same amount of wattage in PC bulbs, but are not measured in linear feet.
These are the maximums for these ballast.
They can however, run the same linear footage of NO bulbs, which have an extremely lower wattage. So in other words....The wattage maximum is just that (with an electronic ballast) a maximum. Meaning that you can run any combination of wattages, as long as you don't go over the maximum recommended wattage or linear footage (in linear bulbs)....
Does that make sense?

 

[melbournefl]

It certainly makes sense but .... Ice Cap Ballasts appear to be unique in their construction. I say this primarily because they are the only ballast I've ever seen that allows for dimmer control. Not sure what the heck the diff is but I know there must be a fairly big one ... again, just my .02 not an electrical whiz kid and tend to take the "better safe than sorry" approach when it comes to electric specifications. Broomer? How are you managing to avoid jumping in here?
Later,
Paul

 

[broomer5]

Ha !
Electrical wizzard ??? Looking around room ~ nope not here
If you don't wire up an appliance properly - you can let the magic smoke out of it - then it doesn't work anymore.
alti - to be on the safe side - if you can get the model/make of the ballast - we can all do some detective work - and possibly contact the manufacturer for clearification.
How's that for a "wiz" answer - not much help I'm sure - LOL

 

[alti]

lol brooms,
ive smoked alot of that magic smoke before and i think thats why i have not installed the mh's and these pc's on my tank.
its an aga model# 200 solid state electronic ballast. 2x55w or 2x40 t12.