Bad HPS Bulb? Help!!

[Joel]

Hey guys, yesterday and today Ive been having issues with my light.

Yesterday upon plug in she did not fire, unplugged waited 5 seconds plugged in and bam lit up.

This morning, nothing at all. When I took the light out and plugged it in, I can see the electricity spark up the bottom of the bulb and then off so it's not firing it. The inside coil looks like its black and I'm wondering if it's faulty.

Please refer to pics. The red arrow indicates where I can see electricity come up and then go away, tried on dimmable options like 50, 75, and 100 and nothing at all but the spark. I have changed the dimming while the light was on a few times since I was working in the tent, I have heard this creates a faulty bulb but I wouldn't think it would be ruined after 4-5 days of operation???

Odd, contacted manufacterer and sending me a new bulb but I cannot wait, I will be going to my hydro store to buy the over priced bulbs I need. QQ -- Hoping its not the ballast or my babies will be ruined!!

I dont think those black rings should be in there either, but the coil inside that tube is looking black to me.
The line is where the electricity can be seen coming up the bulb and then vanishes without lighting it.

Joel Reviewed by Joel on 10-15-2013. Bad HPS Bulb? Help!! Hey guys, yesterday and today Ive been having issues with my light. Yesterday upon plug in she did not fire, unplugged waited 5 seconds plugged in and bam lit up. This morning, nothing at all. When I took the light out and plugged it in, I can see the electricity spark up the bottom of the bulb and then off so it's not firing it. The inside coil looks like its black and I'm wondering if it's faulty. Please refer to pics. The red arrow indicates where I can see electricity come up and Rating: 5

[Shovelhandle]

try replacing the ignitor. That could be the problem. OH, you have a digital? forget that then. It's a good idea to have a good spare lamp around (not an old questionable one either). Then you can try a new lamp right off and know if you need a new ballast or not. Lamps often show signs of failure by 'cycling', going on for a while and then off, on, off...

[Joel]

try replacing the ignitor. That could be the problem. OH, you have a digital? forget that then. It's a good idea to have a good spare lamp around (not an old questionable one either). Then you can try a new lamp right off and know if you need a new ballast or not. Lamps often show signs of failure by 'cycling', going on for a while and then off, on, off...

The ballast runs perfectly, fires up and runs smoothly.

I get that initial spark of electricity through the bulb trying to fire it up but it won't fire. I thought it could be the ignitor my self but it's brand new ...

I cannot get a bulb at the hydrostore because they're out until friday. I have contacted a friend locally to get an old 400 HPS and MH bulb he has and try those. Hopefully with some success, if not I will be using an old 400w magnetic ballast while I return this one and buy something better.

Feelin bad for my plants right now.