My first MH and I have a ballast question

[Incaico]

I have an odyssea 175W HQI 20,000k. The ballast has been changed to an ARO LHM 120-175. I would like a lower k light, I'm thinking of 14k or so. I've been reading on the board that a lot of people run a 150W bulb on the original odyssea ballast. My question is because the ballast has been replaced can I also run a 150W light or do I need to use a 175W? Thanks for your help. There is so much to learn in this hobby.

 

[Wes]

running the lower wattage bulb on the odysea was because it actually only put out that much. for an aro, i will go with what it says as it should be accurate and running an incorrect bulb is not best.

 

[bimmerzs]

I agree with Wes.....I have owned the exact same setup that you have and he also previously owned an odyssea fixture. The only issue you will have is finding a 175W DE bulb from anywhere other than ebay, that's worth anything. That 175W ballast is mainly used to drive SE bulb's or overdrive 150W DE bulb's which will work but shorten the life of the bulb. Good luck.

Cheers,

 

[Incaico]

@bimmerzs wrote:

Thanks for the replys. What does it mean to overdrive a bulb. I know that the DE means double ended and that is type of bulb I have. So by your post, I guess I could use a 150k bulb in there but the bulb will last a lot less. Usually by how much less?