a question about metal halide bulbs

[Brighteyes_13]

thanks for all the feedback!!

the ballasts are standard probe start. i wired both myself and feel comfortable with the connections (first year electrician.) both work wonderfully. i have had the good bulb in both for an hour plus to make sure.

thats an interesting point about the pulse start bulb idea... i never let the bulb cycle thru more than twice... hmm...
if it werent for the fact both are wired into my system now, i'd test the theory about letting it warm for more than 15 mins. both apear to be venture (good ones a 10k, bad ones a 14k), and so are the ballasts.

i do however think maybe the bulb is just worn out, and ready to be retired. the arc tube is pretty blackened.