Lamp flickering...

So im using a brand new set up. 600w digital ballast, along with pulse start metal halides (sun system) from life light tech. These are supposed to be awesome bulbs. But...im having what i think is a problem, you tell me.

There is some sort of "flickering" going on. Its very subtle, but you can tell that the bulbs have some flickering and almost color change from red/blue. With the naked eye, its so bright in there that you cant really tell, but with shades on you can really look at the walls and tell there is a flicker. Now should i be worried about this, or has anyone had this and will it stop? The company said that it could be a cheap ballast, but the ballast is brand new Lumatek. The company also said that the you should run the lamp for 24 hours the first time you use it. Do people do that, and could that be my problem? Thanks in advance

u gotta get that fixed bro asap....plants do not like flickering light


im not sure what it is....sometimes digital ballast cant strike certain lamps/bulbs

it happens, just like car alternators, or starters. every once in a while one leaves the factory bad. either it'll burn up the first time it's plugged in, or like yours, it flickers. do not use flickering light. plants hate that. it messes up their grow stages. they can sense the flicker better than you or I can. 'it messes with their little heads'

Your bulb is probably burning in. Just in cast here's an alternative. You have an electrical problem. Either the bulb or the ballast is going bad. Change them both then check the bulb and see what the real problem is. Go to the electrical supply house and tell them what type of light ur using..MH or HPS and get a multi-tap transformer this way you'll have a spare light part. See if they have a ballast to match the one you have already. Always better have an extra for preventive maintenance.
Turn off the power to your light and follow the instructions that come with the transformer.
or
Since you have a new setup you could return it for another.

indoseedman, have u seen them do this for a few days while burning in?

any other advice?

Having a problem with a lumatek 400W not even starting a philips MH bulb, and found this on another forum
Lumatek Electronic Ballasts And Metal Halide Lamps - UK420

Looks like I have to change my MH to a HPS or buy a compatible MH bulb. Pain in my arse.

Does anyone know what MH bulbs work with the lumatek or if its a lost cause?