Bulb/Ballast question

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baker440

Member
Need some help with this one. I did my homework but still unsure....

I have a HTG 400w HPS lamp and some used/unknown HPS and MH HPS conversion bulbs. I was using a MH HPS conversion bulb for veg for about 4-6 weeks with no problems and I just pulled the bulb and put in an HPS for flower. Fired up fine, no problems. A little later I unplugged the lamp for about an hour and when I plugged it back in the bulb wouldn't fire up. Just a purple "arcing" waviness inside the bulb. I unplugged for 5-10 minutes, made sure it was threaded in all the way, etc, and tried again and it was fine.

Today I leave for work (light turns on an hour after I leave) and the wife texts me at lunch and says it's doing the purple flickering thing. She leaves it alone, doesn't unplug it or mess with it or anything. When I get home the light is on, completely normal. I would have never known. ???

I do have another HPS bulb with no labelling on it, no box, but looks brand new as far as I can tell. Similar size/internals as the other HPS bulbs. I thread it in and the light fires right up. The one I took out says HTG 400 w HPS on it and it's got some black discoloration inside just above the socket. Also has a tin like rattling sound when you pick it up...

I also have a Sylvania 400w HPS bulb that looks pretty used, with the discoloration, etc. I haven't tried this bulb yet..(but at least it's labelled)

So my question is what do you think happened? Is that bulb dying? Ballast issue? Also is it safe to assume the unmarked bulb is fine to use in my ballast, since it fired right up, etc.. Opinions???
 
Last edited:
Trich_holmes

Trich_holmes

Well-Known Member
Is this only happening when it's fired up? I had a bad ballast form the factory before but mine just made my bulb flicker and wouldn't power all the way up. The blackness on the bottom of the bulb is fine, happens to all of them after they're used a few times. The rattling could be something messing the bulb up, but I've got a bulb in right now that has a half-inch metal piece that came apart inside of it and is just rattling free laying on the glass and it hasn't affected anything. Good luck
 
bgmike8

bgmike8

Well-Known Member
My new HPS bulb had a black color on the bottom right out of the box.

I think if you're running one bulb with no problems than that would eliminate the ballast right?
 
@TheWeedNerd

@TheWeedNerd

Active Member
baker440 said:
Need some help with this one. I did my homework but still unsure....

I have a HTG 400w HPS lamp and some used/unknown HPS and MH HPS conversion bulbs. I was using a MH HPS conversion bulb for veg for about 4-6 weeks with no problems and I just pulled the bulb and put in an HPS for flower. Fired up fine, no problems. A little later I unplugged the lamp for about an hour and when I plugged it back in the bulb wouldn't fire up. Just a purple "arcing" waviness inside the bulb. I unplugged for 5-10 minutes, made sure it was threaded in all the way, etc, and tried again and it was fine.

Today I leave for work (light turns on an hour after I leave) and the wife texts me at lunch and says it's doing the purple flickering thing. She leaves it alone, doesn't unplug it or mess with it or anything. When I get home the light is on, completely normal. I would have never known. ???

I do have another HPS bulb with no labelling on it, no box, but looks brand new as far as I can tell. Similar size/internals as the other HPS bulbs. I thread it in and the light fires right up. The one I took out says HTG 400 w HPS on it and it's got some black discoloration inside just above the socket. Also has a tin like rattling sound when you pick it up...

I also have a Sylvania 400w HPS bulb that looks pretty used, with the discoloration, etc. I haven't tried this bulb yet..(but at least it's labelled)

So my question is what do you think happened? Is that bulb dying? Ballast issue? Also is it safe to assume the unmarked bulb is fine to use in my ballast, since it fired right up, etc.. Opinions???
Click to expand...
Baker440 that ur area code?
 
B

baker440

Member
@TheWeedNerd said:
Baker440 that ur area code?
Click to expand...
No I'm in the big 207

bgmike8 said:
I think if you're running one bulb with no problems than that would eliminate the ballast right?
Click to expand...
I would think so. I had the MH conversion bulb in for like 4-6 weeks with no problem. And this unlabelled bulb I just put in when I got home fired right up -- the timer shuts off at 7 so I will have to play the process all over again -- wait till I get home to see. Obviously the bulb is compatible with the ballast if it's working e.g. wattage, etc?

I'm assuming the first HPS I tried was faulty? Is it possible it would try to ignite for 5 hours or so and then actually successfully ignite?
 
K

KryptoBud

Well-Known Member
I never had any problems with bulbs or ballast but decided to run my lights while I was home, just made me feel better.
 
bgmike8

bgmike8

Well-Known Member
baker440 said:
No I'm in the big 207


I would think so. I had the MH conversion bulb in for like 4-6 weeks with no problem. And this unlabelled bulb I just put in when I got home fired right up -- the timer shuts off at 7 so I will have to play the process all over again -- wait till I get home to see. Obviously the bulb is compatible with the ballast if it's working e.g. wattage, etc?

I'm assuming the first HPS I tried was faulty? Is it possible it would try to ignite for 5 hours or so and then actually successfully ignite?
Click to expand...
Who knows. Probably is possible. Maybe finally vibrated just right and fired up.
I think just common sense that if everything works except one bulb then you found the problem
 
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