What would happen if...

[Midknight]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Sheesh, I'm not electronics whiz, but the one Workhorse 5 ballast in our Hamilton fixture came with two 55w PCs. We use 65w PCs with that ballast with no problem. I think it might depend on your ballast. What ballast do you have?

Yes Bev, but that is under powering it. Putting a 65W in a 55W socket just means it will not get enought power and not glow as bright.
I don't think the 55W in the 65 W would explode (don"t qute me on that)
But I think it would burn a lot brighter for a much shorter time if it fired up at all.
IMO .

[findingnemo1]

Originally Posted by Midknight

Yes Bev, but that is under powering it. Putting a 65W in a 55W socket just means it will not get enought power and not glow as bright.
I don't think the 55W in the 65 W would explode (don"t qute me on that)
But I think it would burn a lot brighter for a much shorter time if it fired up at all.
IMO .

Sorry my mistake. On Bev's case it would be fine as she is doing exactly that. Under powering it. On the 55 watt bulb in a 65 watt rated fixture you are over driving the bulb which could result in a blown bulb over your tank,

Its getting a little late and i can't read real well apparently tonite...

Craig

[Kryten]

Ok, thanks for the opinions guys, I don't think I'll try it. That said, anyone know where I can get a Hamilton 65 watt 10,000K straight-pin pc bulb? Or if they even make one in this configuration?

Thanks,

[Beverly]

Check J&L. IIRC, we bought our straight pin PCs from them. AI might also have them.

[Kryten]

Yeah, I already tried both of those options. AI only had 55 watt, and J&L only lists Coralife and JBJ pc bulbs. I don't want Coralife'$ bulbs, and I also like the colour of the Hamilton's better, which makes me want to shy away from the $20 ebay-type bulbs....