Different ballast question...

Hobbzz · 07-07-2008, 11:34 PM

I was thinking of trading my dual 400w hqi ballast for a dual 250w hqi ballast because the 400's were tripping the breaker. I found someone that has two 250w hqi ballasts...BUT they draw 5.5 amps each (so 11 amps total)...whereas my dual 400w ballast only draws 9 amps total. The first pic is one of the 250w ballasts. Am I reading that right? Second pic is of my ballast (2 x 4.55 amps for 9.1 total). So am I reading these right or what? I wouldn't think that 800w of power could draw fewer amps than 500w considering they are all hqi ballasts from the same company...

Loverotties · 07-08-2008, 06:13 AM

So that 250 is a single?if so then your right it is more.

Hobbzz · 07-08-2008, 08:59 AM

Yeah, the person has (2) single 250w ballasts. I was just kind of surprised that the lower wattage ballasts would draw more amps.

PEMfish · 07-08-2008, 09:10 AM

Hmmm... interesting.
Don't switch out the breaker as your homes wiring may not be rated for the extra load. If you can, find a near by outlet on a less loaded breaker. Remember, only use 75% of the maximum rated amps on a breaker as startup draws more.

VWD · 07-08-2008, 09:20 AM

I think you need to have your electrical checked out. For it to be tripping a breaker you may have a weak breaker, They can go bad, I had one that never gave any problem for years and then it just started to trip on me, We replaced it with a new one and it stopped.

Took the 20 amp out and replaced with a 20, Like Paul said don't increase the breakers amperage, that can lead to a fire

Loverotties · 07-08-2008, 10:17 AM

Yes over ratting the wire and can cause a fire.

Hobbzz · 07-08-2008, 11:48 AM

Thanks for the suggestions about the electrical, however that was already covered in another thread. This is just about the ballasts. As stated, the whole purpose of going to 250w bulbs was to lessen the draw. If I can't do that with these ones then I obviously won't accomplish anything and therefore won't do it. Don't worry guys, I won't burn the house down.

tsouth · 07-08-2008, 12:39 PM

True that. It makes no sense to lower wattages and worsen the problem. Did you give a call to pfo and see what their explanation is?

Hobbzz · 07-08-2008, 01:13 PM

Not yet.

Jadinop · 07-08-2008, 10:14 PM

Doesn't make sense to me. Maybe that is a max rating on startup. The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation
Amps = Watts/Volts.

250 watts divided by 120 volts equals roughly 2.08 amps

Jadinop · 07-08-2008, 10:17 PM

Here is something to consider.

400 watts divided by 120 volts equals roughly 3.3 amps

Running two 250's will use roughly 4.16 amps so it will still blow the breaker if the single 400 at 3.3 amps is currently doing so.

Hobbzz · 07-08-2008, 11:32 PM

The single 400w running won't blow it. It's a dual 400w ballast and the breaker trips when I run both bulbs and all the other appliances/lights on the same circuit are on at the same time. My room mate is bad about leaving crap on all the time. If it were just me I'd just make sure not to run everything at the same time. Maybe I'll send pfo an email and see what they say.

Jadinop · 07-09-2008, 08:05 PM

The dual 400 would pull roughly 6.6 amps operating and probably a few more amps on startup. That is probably what's kicking the breaker.

Remember that continuous electrical loads on a circuit shouldn't be more than 75-80% of the total capacity. The wiring is not meant to carry a near full capacity load constantly and could eventually burn up. Even though the breaker doesn't trip, you may still be pushing your luck with an overloaded circuit.

Just a side note on breakers. They can wear out due to age or excessive tripping. It may be worth replacing with a new one of the same rating. Could be as simple as a bad breaker causing your problem.

I have a Kilo-watt that you can borrow if you want to verify the amps on that ballast.