Very dim 400W HPS

TheConstantGardner

TheConstantGardner

Well-Known Member
I just got a Nextgen 400w digital ballast, Yieldmaster II reflector, and 400w Ceramalux HPS bulb.

Everything turns on and runs but the bulb is very dim...not nearly as bright as it should be. :confused: The LED indicator on the ballast shows that it is fully warmed up.

What gives? You guys think it is more likely a problem with the bulb or ballast?

Thanks for any info.
 
tom__420

tom__420

Well-Known Member
Have you tried another bulb in the ballast? Or another ballast with the same bulb? That is really the only way to tell I would think
 
TheConstantGardner

TheConstantGardner

Well-Known Member
motoracer110 said:
is the bulb making a loud buzzing sound?
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The bulb does make a hiss/buzz sound when warming up, but not very loud. You can hear it in the room with exhaust running. It gets quiet after warming up to the point you have to get your ear within inches of the bulb to hear the buzz.

tom__420 said:
Have you tried another bulb in the ballast? Or another ballast with the same bulb? That is really the only way to tell I would think
Click to expand...
I was hoping to minimize trips back and forth to the hydro shop. This is the only HID I have in this state...so part swapping is out.
 
ChemisTree

ChemisTree

Active Member
Turn off the light, remove the bulb, and see if there are any hairline cracks in the inner core. Additionally, when the bulb cools down observe if there are is any metallic shine to the protective outer glass layer. If so you may have a bad bulb (my 400 W HPS bulb failed in this manner recently).

Otherwise, I'm voting on a faulty ballast. Have you had the ballast a long time or is it new?
 
TheConstantGardner

TheConstantGardner

Well-Known Member
ChemisTree said:
Turn off the light, remove the bulb, and see if there are any hairline cracks in the inner core. Additionally, when the bulb cools down observe if there are is any metallic shine to the protective outer glass layer. If so you may have a bad bulb (my 400 W HPS bulb failed in this manner recently).

Otherwise, I'm voting on a faulty ballast. Have you had the ballast a long time or is it new?
Click to expand...
Good call! There appears to be a half-inch "scratch" on the core, and possibly what looks like a pinhole.

Both the bulb and ballast are brand new. I'll probably take both back tomorrow and maybe have them test the bulb. If that's not it, I'll get an exchange on the ballast.
 
ChemisTree

ChemisTree

Active Member
TheConstantGardner said:
Good call! There appears to be a half-inch "scratch" on the core, and possibly what looks like a pinhole.

Both the bulb and ballast are brand new. I'll probably take both back tomorrow and maybe have them test the bulb. If that's not it, I'll get an exchange on the ballast.
Click to expand...
No problem! It's good that you found the problem now instead of later.

When my bulb died last week I literally left the room for 10 minutes and came back and the output had dimmed 95%. If the bulb cools and you notice a metallic coating to the protective outer glass, well- that's elemental sodium that has condensed on the cool glass sleeve.

Anyways- I hope they give you a new bulb, I'm still waiting for mine in the mail. :peace:
 
dontpanic

dontpanic

Well-Known Member
i have that metallic coating on my 2 75w hps bulbs..is that a bad thing lol they seem to be working..
 
TheConstantGardner

TheConstantGardner

Well-Known Member
Philips Ceramalux Alto I think. Their top end bulbs were too pricey to afford with the rest of my investment. This summer I'm going to add another 400 ballast/reflector and run a MH alongside on movers. Maybe then I'll get high end bulbs for each.
 
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