flour. ballast question
 

if I run 2 t8's (36w) on a ballast designed for 2x 40w t12s will the ballast burn out?

logic says "it should be ok", but electricity isn't always logical.

thanks.

It wont burn out ... you are simply overdriving the bulbs a little so they may not last as long but just marginally so dont worry about it.

Cheers

actually you are not overdriving the bulbs, both bulbs are NO bulbs and there for the ballast is supplying the same current level. the only differences is the 32 watt bulb uses less watts. Some time the T8's require a different starting type then the T12's but looks like yours are starting no problem so the bulbs and ballast will last with no detrimental effects whats so ever.

here is a post I wrote to help explain florescent lighting... I wish it would be a sticky so more people would see it.

http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7740

Steve

that's a pretty smokin post. helped quite a bit. thanks steve!

the ballast I have is electric :mrgreen:

I found out today that GE daylight deluxe (6500k) look really nice with actinic suplimentation...hardly any yellow..

i find it odd that 80w of NO flourescent -seems to me- brighter than my 192w pc fixture...I'm even using pink foam as a reflector! lol