Help with 1000watt Metal Halide

[Vader Haze]

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Ok so I just received my 1000 watt MH Bulb and my switchable ballast,and FlashGrow(mylar). (still waiting for the HPS, pH meter, calibration solutions etc.

Ive never used a MH Bulb before so...


I took the Bulb out of the bubblewrap and it was just slipped into a cardboard sleeve. I took the bulb out of the sleeve and in the middle of the bulb there is another small glass cylinder. Inside that small glass cylinder there is a tiny silver ball, but also it looks like something leaked inside of it. There is a milky dry substance running the length of the small cylinder on one side. there is another 1/4 " oval that looks almost black like its burnt.

Heres My Question.

Is this Normal? Or did my bulb get broken during shipping?



I tried taking pictures but the flash keeps me from getting a clear picture of the inside.

 

[Quazi]

That doesn't sound quite normal to me.

Broken metal halide bulbs are NO JOKE. There have been cases of various types of afflictions/illnesses associated with MH lamps that have been broken. There are various warnings on MH lamps for this reason.

If you even think that it may be broken or damaged, immediately call the company you got it from. Do not turn the lamp on until you are confident that it is in working condition.

I have some experience with MH lamps and I don't recall seeing anything like what you described.



-Q

 

[Vader Haze]

Thanks, for the input Quazi.

After i posted this, I did call the company. The guy said that its normal for that to be in there. He said its kind of the way thay you can tell that the bulb has NOT been fired yet. he says that its residue from the gas inside, and after I fire it up for the first time it will burn that out.

Does this even sound right?

Im going to try and get some pictures without the flash later on.


Thanks.

 

[Quazi]

I couldn't tell you for sure.

I'm just telling you from my own experience with MH lamps. However, I can say that I haven't used one fresh out of the box before so he could be absolutely telling the truth about it.

I was just giving you some words of caution because broken MH lamps are not something that you want to mess with.

-Q

 

[Vader Haze]

Does anyone else have experience with a New MH.

Somone on another board said it was mercury that turns to gas to allow the arc to cross.


Anyone else with some input.

 

[VenturaHwy]

The little mercury ball is normal, if the outer glass is broken then you will get uv burns..... what is the date... look at the side of the base that screws in...