Lighting HPS Bulb Blinking on and off after warming up

[AKA Rambo]

I have a 4 month old HPS Bulb that had been working great, but I just noticed the bulb will heat up like normal and then flick off and back on again to warm up and flick back off.

I am using a virtual sun hydroponics 600W digital dimmable ballast. It does feel a bit warm, but thought that is normal. I checked the fuse and it is good. The bulb is what came with the light setup.

Does it sound like the bulb is taking a dump on me?

 

[oldster]

Hi AKA Zipperhead,


In my experience when HPS or Metal Halide bulbs start doing that it is a sign the bulb has had it. The frequent restarts can also make the ballast run warmer as it takes more energy to start vs run the bulb.


4 months is certainly short, I believe an orientation other than what the bulb was designed for can shorten the life. Could this be your issue?

 

[AKA Rambo]

Im hoping it is the bulb because with virtual sun hydroponics warranty, you have to pay shipping on the ballast to virtual sun and then you have to pay for shipping back home on the product.. Kind of a pickle if you ask me, I always thought a warranty was, well a warranty.. I was hoping they would send me a new ballast and just send the one I got back... As always I didnt like that aspect as Im into a grow..