Lighting and ballasts

I have come across some really cheap and barely used 1000w ballasts. Im hoping that this will allow me to use any wattage of bulb upto and including 1000 watts or am I only able to use 1000w bulbs with 1000w ballasts?
How necessary is it to match up the lights and ballasts 100%? I understand that I can only use UPTO 1000w but can I use less than 1000w bulb?

Generally ballasts are for the wattage bulb stated. Using a lower wattage bulb with a 1000 watt ballast is a recipe for disaster. Keep the fire dept. on hold.

However. Many electronic ballasts today are dimmable and select a watt meaning you can dim a higher wattage bulb or use a lower wattage bulb. I have galaxy ballasts that are like this.

Be very sure what you have. Some only dim and are not select a watt and some are labeled what they use only.

Good luck.

The ballasts are 1000w Analog and can switch between 240V and 120V.
What kinds of lights can I use with this?
I found a few second hand for $20 each that have only been used for one grow. I figured I should grab them because I know that at some point in my grow career I will likely end up needing to use them even if I cant use them for my first setup. At that price I should probably load up lol

......since they are second hand there is no labeling which states compatability.

Did the ballast come with a socket? Does the socket have it's type written on it, like M## or some other such I'm not sure. Are the bulbs single ended? I don't know if bulbs have to be specific to digital or analog - I'm guessing no. As long as it fits. Ask seller what kind of socket they are. Choose the right voltage on the ballast for US house 120 (Edit: if you are in US), then don't touch! Bulbs wear out over time and supposed to be replaced before they die not after, but one grow is nothing.

flowerpower0118 said:

The ballasts are 1000w Analog and can switch between 240V and 120V.
What kinds of lights can I use with this?
I found a few second hand for $20 each that have only been used for one grow. I figured I should grab them because I know that at some point in my grow career I will likely end up needing to use them even if I cant use them for my first setup. At that price I should probably load up lol

Click to expand...

1000 watt HPS or MH. Not 400 or 600. The ballast cannot be dimmed.

If it is 1000w use only 1000w lamps. It will say someware on the ballast wether it is for mh, hps, or mh/hps

the ballasts say they are for HPS & MH and are dimmable between 120v & 240v

flowerpower0118 said:

the ballasts say they are for HPS & MH and are dimmable between 120v & 240v

Click to expand...

Basically you have a 1000w ballast, the 120/240vac switch is only for the type of outlet you are using and has nothing to do with dimming the bulb, even if it could dim down to 500/750 ect its not safe to ignite smaller bulbs with a ballast designed for 1kw bulbs.

SPLFreak808 said:

Basically you have a 1000w ballast, the 120/240vac switch is only for the type of outlet you are using and has nothing to do with dimming the bulb, even if it could dim down to 500/750 ect its not safe to ignite smaller bulbs with a ballast designed for 1kw bulbs.

Click to expand...

Yeah man, that's why I said pick the right setting and then leave that switch alone. Having that switch on there at all seems like a REAL BAD idea. I mean set it and tape it over or something, so no one switches it by accident.

raggyb said:

Yeah man, that's why I said pick the right setting and then leave that switch alone. Having that switch on there at all seems like a REAL BAD idea. I mean set it and tape it over or something, so no one switches it by accident.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately some of us still need that switch for split phase wiring. But still, nobody should be moving it over to 240 without the intention of wiring it correctly