Would it be safe to use, say, a 250 watt bulb in a fixture thats rated at 400 watts? I have a switchable 'fixture' (ballast?) that can be 250w MH or 400w HPS. Im considering using a 250w Bulb in HPS mode but I dont want to die! Also I know that you arent supposed to touch the bulbs when you change your headlights in your car cuz of the oil on your hands. Does the same hold true for a HID system? My finger gently grazed the bulb earlier during an adjustment and it got me thinking! Hahahha wtf am I saying!
The only way that could be safe is if the ballast has a dimming function that allows dimming to 250 watts. what kind of ballast are you using? to answer your second question, dont touch the bulb, you are correct that oils can damage or leave burn stains on the bulb. if you touched it just wipe it clean before you turn it on.
Well Im not really sure to be honest but its a Sun System 2. Everything is all enclosed in a single unit hood and all so I just plug it in and switch it to "on". Sunlight Supply, Inc - Horticulture, Lighting, and Indoor Gardening Wholesale - Sun System 2 Fixtures Thats not where I got it but it was a somewhat hasty buy. Its just more light than I think I really need in my... Closet..... Lol
You won't die. If you plug it in and it does not work then it simply won't turn on. Turns on you have success.