Can you use a 650 watt bulb in a RedHead 800 watt lamp?

[Czzzl]

I have an 800W RedHead light for photography, and the bulb just died. I am waiting for some new 800W bulbs from amazon but I have a project due in a few days, and all I can find near my house are generic 650W bulbs... If I use one of these, will my lamp have any problems? I know it will probably be dimmer, but I can fix that.. My question is, will I burn down the lamp??

Thanks!

 

[tirediron]

Shouldn't be an issue; you're using less than the maximum rate wattage, so as you mentioned, the only downside I can see is that it will be slightly (20%) dimmer.

 

[Helen B]

That's right. It's not uncommon to put 650 W lamps into a red / redhead. Go to the red manufacturer's site and they will probably list a few different lamps that are usable. Colour temperature may be different.

 

[Czzzl]

Thanks! I will use it just for now, I just bought it - indeed it's dimmer, but nothing Ps can't fix!