250 watt DE MH ballast Strobing

[joshh81]

I have 2 x 250 watt DE MH's over my 150. I have noticed over the past 2 weeks that the right bulbs is strobing. It flickers very very fast but its noticeable. When you look at the tank it looks as though the light shimmering is exaggerated.

The light fixture is a Current Outer Orbit HQI/T5HO 48 inch 250watt MH. The ballasts are stock current ballasts. A link to the light fixture... http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html

The bulbs were replaced 3 months ago. I thought it might be a bulb problem but I swapped the bulbs places and the strobing stayed with the right bulb. So, I am assuming its the ballast. The ballast isnt getting hot (within reason.... its not any hotter than the one next to it and the cooling fans keep it just warm to the touch)

My question is... it this ok to leave it like this or do I need to replace the ballast ASAP. I really do not want it to burn down my house so I would error on the side of caution. I am pretty sure its a magnetic ballast and I have heard horror stories.

Thanks for any info!

 

[joshh81]

So no inputs?

 

[PaulErik]

Check the lamp sockets and lamp ends for any discoloration or deforming. Flicking can be the result from a poor lamp to socket connection.

If all connections are good then the capacitor in the ballast is failing. The ballast used by Current USA for 250-watt ballasts is a CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer). The capacitor is used for power factor correction and lamp power regulation. If the capacitor is operating off spec it can cause the lamp to become unstable.