400 watt HPS won't stay on, using HID in 12/12

Hi friends,

I just started my 12/12 cycle this morning with a bad omen. My HPS light won't stay on for more than 20 seconds. I turn it on, and everything seems fine, it powers up as normal. Roughly 10 seconds in it flickers slightly, then shuts off shortly after. I have tried re-connecting the bulb numerous times to make sure it was seated correctly. When re-seating i have noticed that the bulb is extremely hot to the touch, even through my gloves. Obviously a 400 watt bulb is going to be hot, but maybe that's too hot too fast?

After messing around with the HPS for 30 minutes i gave up, my plants need some real light. So i put back in the 400 watt HID i've been vegging with for the last 2 months. It still works fine. Same ballast. In fact these are both new bulbs and new ballast that i bought as a package 2 months ago.

My first question is obvious, does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this bulb to shine and actually stay on?

The second question i have is how bad is it that i'm using the wrong bulb to start out 12/12 cycle? Will it only slow down my budding process, adding time before harvest? Or will it confuse the plants perhaps telling them not to bud? This is my first grow so being forced to use the wrong bulb is scaring the heck outta me.

Thank you all for your help!

WHat kind of ballast is it? Digital? Do u have the make and model?

Fuying Lighting Electronic Ballast model FY400G1EB. I also just remembered that i actually did use the HPS bulb for a few days when i first got it to make sure everything was working. The bulb worked fine at the time. i put it back in its box and stored it in a closet for the two months of veg state.

Thank you for the quick reply patlpp!

As long as you got the light at 12/12 it shouldn't matter too much what kind of light. What is it, metal halide? I've heard of people flowering with those, but their results were lacking, so get that hps fixed asap! You did the right thing by staying in 12/12.

blatstuff said:

Fuying Lighting Electronic Ballast model FY400G1EB. I also just remembered that i actually did use the HPS bulb for a few days when i first got it to make sure everything was working. The bulb worked fine at the time. i put it back in it's box and stored it in a closet for the two months of veg state.

Thank you for the quick reply patlpp!

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Well I would get with the vendor who sold the package to you. The bulb should be under warranty. You should have no problem getting it swapped out. Also, hydro stores will testyour light for you on their equipment. Good luck!

thanks folks! i'm breathing a bit easier knowing my babies are at least okay under the HID. : )