Or perhaps is it my new fixture burning off the oil's ect from manufacturing? My first day running the lamp all day and there is a definite smell in the room its running in. The lamp is the only new item here so it defiantly is that...
you notice an acrid smell like hot metal followed by a hot plasticky odor. unplug and move away from the ballast! seriously, unplug it before it blows on you. Not pretty, I've seen them literally explode from heat buildup inside them. check it for smoke damage everywhere, but it really sounds faulty. sometimes even brand new ones can be bad.take it back and slap the crap outta' the guy who sold it to you! Or ask him if he can replace it