"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
.com...
On 3/13/2010 11:19 AM Mike M spake thus:

What counts is what the ballast says it will operate. Wrong lamp you
might have short lamp life, or worst case overheat and have a fire.
If its electronic they frequently operate over a range. If its
magnetic they are usually a lot tighter range.

[please don't top post]

Yabbut, it's OK to run a lamp with a smaller rating; that won't harm the
ballast. A larger lamp could. The 45-watt lamp should work just fine,
assuming it fits the socket.


--
Exactly. Fixtures/ballast have a maximum but seldom a minimum. The listed
wattage of a CF is usually the output but the actual wattage being used is
much less. Ex: a 65w CF bulb will use something along the lines of 23 watts
and a 45w bulb will use something like 13 watts.

If the socket is a medium base, then you'll be fine.