Upgrading a light fixture...150W to 250W

[derek_s]

I was looking at a fixture that someone reto'd from 175W to 250W. It was working nicely, and I was wondering if I could do it with a light I have. The thing would be heat. The fixture already gets hot to the touch. I know heat is a big issue with tube lights 9as far as decreasing life), but for a MH, will heat significantlly decrease bulb life and/or efficiency? Lets assume all wiring, etc was safe from melting.

 

[george]

It depends on the light and fixture.

I can tell you that if it's a

 

[sagent3000]

i agree with barabara i tried it once and it ended up in disaster i almost electrocuted (sp?) myself when i plugged the fixture in.

its better to just start from scratch IMHO

 

[mufret]

Who manufactures your fixture? As George mentioned, it is possible to upgrade some of them. You will need to switch out the sockets besides replacing the ballasts.

 

[derek_s]

It's actually a solana fixture. That's where the problem comes in. A very limited fixture, but IMO, a very nice looking design.

I'm not set on modding, just trying to think up possibilites here. I haven't opened the thing up to see what's inside, so I'm not sure how close the tolerances would be on the space, wiring, etc, but I imagine it to be very limiting... I would just have to take a peek. I think that is part of the fun of the hobby... modding... And yes we can learn form the failures, too...

My second option is a lumiarc mini, which I think look nice in their unfinished form, but my girlfriend disagrees...

 

[mufret]

I haven't had the opportunity to "play" with a Solana fixture but, if it uses the standard Current-USA MH reflector, there would be enough room to switch out the 150w DE sockets for the 250w sockets. There are Lumenarc pendents available (