Thanks zx12r, you've stated my problem exactly. Very same thing just happened to me, the only difference being I only left the switch in the wrong position for only a few minutes. Then I tested another sodium bulb and no go, just a little different sound from the ballast. Tested a MH bulb next with same results. Only difference was a louder sound from the ballast, and the bulb didn't flicker.
The way this all began today was I was going to raise the light a little and put in a sodium bulb and was checking around the fixture while it was still on, when suddenly my little fingernail on my left hand hit the aluminum reflector and I saw a small spark. I thought oh sh t what have I done as the bulb immediately went out. I checked everything, wires, wire nuts. I figured there must have been some static electricity in me and something must have shorted out.
So, I thought there must be some kind of overload protection within the ballast housing that I couldn't see, and needed to get some instructions and a voltmeter/ampmeter. And then I found this post and thought maybe you've found the answer. Can the ballast be repaired or should I get another. Maybe get one to test with. Anyway, let me know what happened zx12r.
