How to overdrive NO bulbs..

[enermac]

Hello all..

I have a couple of questions about overdriving lights/if it is possible ect..

Im going low cost here as much as possible..


i have a 35 gal tank and am putting my own lights in the eclipse hood.

So far I have way to mount them from homedepot (i bought a 2 20W light kit for 30 bux) It contains a 2 20W ballast..

Today i bought 2 bulbs 1 philips daylight 20W and a philips and Plant aquarium bulb

I have an Advance Standard Rel-2p32-sc ballast I got from a friend. it will run (2) F32TB Bulbs at 32 watts each..

Can I use this ballast instead of the 2(20w) one and will it run the bulbs at 32w each?

Do I just plug it in normally? or is there some special way to run them.

I would like to have the max watt available if possible.

Thanks..

[ajx22]

Unfortunately I am not able to provide any insight on how to do this...

BUT...

please be aware that doing this is NOT a safe method. It is NOT CSA approved, and if something should occur (ie fire, etc.) - you will NOT be covered under insurance.

Should you choose to do this...please understand that you are taking a large risk with your personal and properties safety.

[enermac]

AJ.

I understood before that overdriving any light beyond its "rated" level can be dangerious. Im just curious if it is possible in this case.

Thanks for the concern:)

[Starry]

See Here...Ive done it, it works.

http://www.geocities.com/teeley2/overdrv1.html

[mdxchaos]

YES.... you can do it, i have done it on many occasions, i used to run 4 20watt bulbs on 2 2X40watt ballasts, and i've ran 2 20 watt bullbs on 1 2x32watt ballast

there are risks tho, you CAN start a fire if anything gets to hot, i have never see nor heard of this ever happening, but it, can so be aware...

that being said just hook up the lights normally, they will work fine, they will just have more watts going thru them, bulb life will be shortened, but your light output will definatly be higher...

good luck....