I've got gremlins in my HPS...help!

[Firestarter]

I bought a replacement 250w hps bulb for my growbox a month ago and since I had only just started some SAGE beans and wouldn't need the hps for a few weeks or so I gave it a quick test to make sure it was good and left it at that.

Today as I was getting everything sorted for my little babies I again tested the light only to find that for some reason it's a no go and I'm stumped as to what's gone wrong

Here's the current state of affairs:

- I haven't touched the lamp or grow box since I last tested it and everything then was fine...
- The ballast hums like it should...
- All components inside the ballast look fine and no funny smells are detectable...
- All fuses and cables are good...
- The center piece inside the bulb glows a very dull blue which can only be seen in complete darkness...wierd!

I assume the faint blue glow from the center of the bulb rules out a failed lamp(especially as it was working fine only a few weeks ago)and the only other thing I can think of is that the ignitor might have failed.
Like I say,the ballast hums but there's no "start up" noise when I first switch it on.
It's been a year or so since I last grew but I'm sure I remember a sort of clicking/clunking noise when the lamp was first switched on which I presume was the ignitor kicking in/discharging?

Unfortunately I don't have another bulb or ignitor to test out and money is tight so I'd really like some experienced opinions on what the problem might be before I shell out the dough on what may be an uneeded replacement.

Thanks for any help

 

[GMT]

Do you live near a grow shop, if so pop in and ask them if they will test the bulb in another ballast. If all is well I'd say the ballast ignitor is blown. It maybe possible to replace just that part of the ballast. ut someone else will have to tell you how to do that as I havent done it before.

 

[thecrackaddict]

Depending on where you got it there is ussually a warranty on it (except bulb).

 

[Firestarter]

GMT:Unfortunately the nearest grow shop is a few hundred miles from here and the fuel cost would be more than a new bulb AND a new ignitor together

thecrackaddict:Good idea but it's a regular factory HPS modified to a remote ballast as per the tutorial posted ages ago on OG so that's the warranty up the shitter!

After much thought and consideration I've ordered a new ignitor which should be here tomorrow and then it's(hopefully)all systems go

Thanks for the input folks!