When good bulbs turn bad

[jroescher]

Any idea what would cause this?

URI 48" VHO Super Actinic bulb on Workhorse electronic ballast.
The endcap melted and the bulb broke. There doesn't appear to be any evidence of moisture or salt creep inside the cap. The contacts are still shiny.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e108/aquacop/BurnedVHO1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e108/aquacop/BurnedVHO2.jpg

[Still Learning]

How long have you had those endcaps? Sounds like something shorted to melt the endcaps. The bulb breaking could have just been a by product of the heat.

So you noticed smoke....then saw the broken bulb?

[JimD]

Just because there wasnt any obvious salt creep or moisture present doesnt mean it isnt there. My bet would be exactly that, Ive had that happen a few times and it was always some sort of moisture...

[Paul28]

lucky to find that it could of turned out bad