HID Dive light

[VicDiver]

Anyone know how to tell if an HID bulb is burnt out or if the ballast isn't working in the absence of a known good HID bulb?

The light in question is a DiveRite 10W HID canister light. The bulb flickers (very faintly if you cover with your hands) when you switch the light on, but it won't fire. Is this a bulb problem or ballast issue?

TIA

 

[350xfire]

Anyone know how to tell if an HID bulb is burnt out or if the ballast isn't working in the absence of a known good HID bulb?

The light in question is a DiveRite 10W HID canister light. The bulb flickers (very faintly if you cover with your hands) when you switch the light on, but it won't fire. Is this a bulb problem or ballast issue?

TIA

The ones that I have seen flicker is usually the ballast. But I'm not an HID expert in any way..

 

[Klem]

Old globes look yellowy and spotted on the inside of the HID bulb. They give out less lumens, but still work. Unlikely this is the problem by the sounds.

Could be any number of reasons; poor insulation causing a short (especially in the high voltage part of the system...between the igniter and the globe), moisture in the ballast, worn out components in the ballast, dirty contacts.

 

[jspeybro]

I would guess that the ballast is not able to strike an arc between the contacts in the bulb. This requires a much higher current than when the lamp is burning.
but I never owned a HID light, so I might be wrong.