Lumatek 600 watt problem,,,or something else?

Well, I had a grow and a half with the Lumatek 600 watt electronic ballast Hydrofarm version with 60%-75%-100%-super, no problems, until now,,,I'm using a new Hortilux HPS bulb, and a Xtrasun 6'' cooled hood.
Everything started fine then I noticed the light's would flicker,,,after that it is much dimmer than my 400 watt mag ballast,,,I changed the bulb again it was bright at first than the same thing much dimmer,,,If I switch the lumes nothing happens a quick flicker, but no brighter?
My question is there a cheap way you can you test to see if It's the Bulb,Ballast, or hood? I'm still under warranty but HPS bulbs are not cheap,,,neither are Hood's,,,and I kinnda wan't this problem fixed asap?

It sounds like acoustic resonance. I had a problem with one of my lamps and dug some stuff up. Here is a >link< Post #7 has info from EYE.

I'm not too sure. If the lamp you have now is working fine, stick with it for now until you get a digital lamp, just keep a spare one handy in case it fails. Avoid the Superlumen setting as a precaution. You say the problem happened again after switching to a new lamp, which would indicate it's a ballast issue (Acoustic resonance.). I'd reckon that getting a digital lamp would be more cost effective than a new ballast.

One person suggested I check out Sunpulse. Apparently they 'tune' their lamps. Seems decent. I haven't tried these, I had a dud lamp and am just replacing it. not a resonance issue. I just figured some of the info might help you out.

Check with whoever you bought the lamp and ballast from, It ought to be covered by either warranty.

I know how you feel. I was fucking livid when my lamp went. All I can tell you for sure is: Have a spare lamp on hand.

i bought my lumateks off of ebay and called the company to confirm the ballasts authenticity and they told me that the only bulbs they dont recommend are hortilux. they say their not built to spec for us standards and so they act funny with the ballasts. i used the cheapy htg brand from htg supply and they worked awesomely

Lumatek makes their own bulbs designed for the their ballasts. Hortilux are notorious for burning out quickly in just about all digital Ballasts (lumateks more so). It depends on the bulb and ballasts imo (not all operate the same). One of my Lumateks runs all bulbs fine and the the other makes that weird vibrating sound at startup (it stops when the bulb is heated up). The bulb that makes the vibration works fine on my other ballast. And my other bulb that doesn't make a vibrating sound works fine in my other lumatek ballasts that makes the other bulb vibrate....Crazy confusing I know. I will say both my ballasts are about equally as bright when fully warmed up.

I really think it depends on how the bulbs was made and how each ballast is made. Some ballasts jell well with all bulbs and other don't.

I run Hortilux Bulbs with 2 oldschool digital lumatek ballast and they have no problems thus far. They are just for now though I plan on upgrading to 600w Phantom Ballast soon.

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/384835-swiftgrow-journal.html

If the difference is that noticeable after switching in a new lamp, you may have a ballast problem. What that problem is, I wouldn't know. Can you post pics?

I assume you have checked to make sure the dimmer is set to 600, but I'll ask anyway. Have you checked the dimmer setting?

At this point, call the seller and explain the issue and that you've tried a new lamp. You should be able to get a new ballast since you are under warranty.