hps light blinking on and off

I have a 1000 watt hps and when I plug it, it turns on like normal, but after it has warmed up the bulb starts blinking on and off. The ballast is staying on the whole time. Does this mean I have a dead bulb? I have checked and cleaned all the connections.

mine started doing that then just went off never 2 work again.. ended up buying new cfls for a change,,,,,

this is called cycling and the last sign that the bulb will rather soon give in so prepare to by a new one, better do it today then tomorrow dude

Kind of like when the check engine light goes on in your car. Means you are going to have to spend some money on a new bulb just like green said.

Type When to replace

1000w (mh) lamps 12 months
1000w (mh) lamps "agro sun & warm deluxe 15 months
1000w (mh) lamps u cool deluxe 6500k 12 months
400w (mh) lamps 18 months
400w (mh) lamps u cool deluxe 6500k 15 months
250w (mh) lamps u cool deluxe 5400k 12 months
175w (mh) lamps daylight bulb 5500k 15 months
All regular 75w to 250w (mh) lamps 15 months

Replace all hps after 24 months, with the exception of the son agro and super agro, replace after 15 months. Fluorescents should be replaced every 15 months. After 12 months, check the tubes if running more than one tube on a single ballast. Always replace all fluorescent tubes at the same time. Remember to always write down the day that you start using a new HID lamp

Yup, it turned out to be the bulb. When I got a new bulb they said that after 6 months the bulbs lose 40% of their lumens. I would replace every 2 - 3 seasons.

Not sure where those figures above come from, but 6-9 months or 3 to 5 flower cycles is what the Eye rep told me. (and Hortilux lamps last longer than most)

Day-to-day in the hydro store, folks questioned these figures...some believing that it's just a way for the shop/lamp companies to make extra $$.

An acquaintance who owned another store in CA got tired of hearing the samew complaints/accusations and did a test on a bunch of the more popular lamps...and what he found runs true with your statement/with what you were told, darktint. Most lamps do lose 40% or more of their lumen output within the first 6 months.

buy a new lamp and have a spare..always a good thing.

bt dt

i agree i cycle all my lamps every 12 months.

Thinks about it when you first put in your 1000watt bulb it was blinding but now its now there you go!
save yourself some money and buy fresh bulbs most shops price these 80-120 and thats usually what it costs to run a 1k 12/12 just over a month. Maintain strong growth with strong bulbs.

I have sold every 1k bulb i pulled on my local craigslist, you can generally find a bargin hunter and get 20-40 bucks back for a used bulb...


Yes a sucker born every day

^^not the kindest approach but the reason why i never shop for bulbs at ebay