400w hps light problems

I have a 400w hps and it will not stay running. It turns on to warm up the light glows blue, then turns off. Is this a bad bulb, a bad ballast or something else wrong. I am into flowering and this happened and need a quick solution. Thanks.

Sorry - I got no idea. This has never happened to me.
Any additional info? bulb brand new? used ballast? Has this ever happened to you before?
If you have a multimeter, you could check the output of the ballast. I am unclear whether you can check the strike.

Assuming you can not service either one, and it appear time is critical, look to buy new ones of both. Troubleshoot by replacing the bulb first, then the ballast.
Buy from a good store w/return policy (e.g, amazon). You may have problems returning the bulb, so buy one you can use in the future. You should be able to return the ballast if needed.
Maybe you could borrow some equipment to troubleshoot? Or if you can't buy new (or wary of having problems returning), maybe you could get some used gear.

im no expert but your ballast may be shorting, if it were the bulb it wouldnt light at all. just to be safe try a new bulb first and if it is the ballast you can change it out. its always good to have a spare bulb and ballast

i got the setup used from a friend, it is not a name brand. I guess i will go with a lumetek setup next and try to find another light to borrow to save this batch. will try to swap the bulb, but like you said if the bulb was bad then it prolly would not light up at all.

Sounds like it could be an ignitor problem.

stu1974 said:

Sounds like it could be an ignitor problem.

Click to expand...

Is the igniter in the bulb and I should change bulbs first and give it a shot before replacing the setup

I would change the bulb ... before buying a new one.

happy growin

The problem was the bulb. Thanks for the help everyone!