400 bulb on 250 ballast?

[nwkennard]

I recently purchased a used 250 watt icecap retro kit with an xm 20,000k bulb. Well after looking over the retro kit I see it's a 400 watt not 250 watt bulb/socket. Just wondering if I could use the bulb with the ballast? Also would anyone be interested in it? The was said to be 3 months old.

[thesaent14]

yes

[nyvp]

you must use the same watt bulb as the ballast 250-250 and 400-400

[titus164]

wouldnt do it, it will almost definitely destroy your bulb, and most likely, when your not home..

[burblerboy]

yes, it will run the light, however your ballast will probably burn up and the bulb will burn out prematurly. possibly starting a fire, maybe not, as the icecap is electronic I think rather than magnetic. reguardless I wouldn't do it. The socket and everything is ok, just change to the correct bulb and all will be ok. also, some ballasts have limits on how many Kelvin (20,000k) they will light up.(if it has limits it will be printed on a sticker or something somewhere on the ballast. check with horticulture hydroponics places for more details.