Hey guys,

I did new videos. This time I captured a leaked HPS lamp which doesn't need an ignitor . I did run it on my 70W HPS ballast .

Video 1: Warm-up
Video 2: Restrike

In the second video I tried to give a better view of what is happening when the lamp tries to restrike. After the lamp is cooled down completely this strange "flashing" doesn't occur. But if you there is any power interruption, it will show the flashing.

Greats from Germany!

I see there argon glow discharge in the outer...
I think the UV from it help to strike the arc in the main tube...

The starting gas must have leaked into the outer bulb because in a new lamp it's a vacuum for HPS lamps so no discharge will take place. The bluish colour of the discharge is not argon but xenon gas from the discharge tube.