Is the sign of a bad HID ballast or the globe ?

[Ringsby4]

Whilst re-aiming my headlights on a roller door,I noticed that one of the headlights while starting initially was as white and bright as the other ,within 4-5 secs has gone a duller yellower light-quite noticeable compared to the other.
This is with brand new 5000k Osram globes.I have the old working globes that I could swap in to see but as luck would have it the one that is troublesome is on your drivers side,so has the bracket and power steering reservoir right behind it and cant easily pull the globe.
I don't want to pull the front off the car-I've only just buttoned it up Ballast or globe-Any thoughts appreciated ....

EDIT: actually 5500k just to be pedantic

[Ringsby4]

Some research revealed that its most likely the ballast,so I bought a GenXenon ballast,6 year warranty not expensive,this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/112463498272
I miffed that I can't do the substitution thing easily with my old globes and also concerned about damaging my new expensive globe with the faulty ballast..
Still interested to hear from others......

[B7S3wannabi]

Usually a change in color is actually the bulb


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Axis]

^^that would be my guess too.

Lots of Osram reps just like the ballast you posted which is a rep of an oem unit.

[Ringsby4]

Usually a change in color is actually the bulb


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Really,in a new premium globe ?

^^that would be my guess too.

Lots of Osram reps just like the ballast you posted which is a rep of an oem unit.

I guess all will be revealed when I finally pull the front off again to replace aircon dryer and do this job

[Ringsby4]

If you goy's are right about the bulb being the culprit,I'm probably okay with Osram as they have a 4 year warranty I've just discovered on their w/s.Talking to them tomoz.

Edit: 4 hours later...just been for a night drive and its impossible to see the color difference outside ( rural,no street lights etc ).My eyes defin. weren't playing tricks on me earlier but its because the two headlights blend together in real-world usage the result is more than acceptable and still noticeably better compared to the 10 yo replaced bulbs- Still wondering what caused the difference.....

[Brillo]

I'm going to disagree with some above. While it is true that changes in color can be the bulb, that is a slow change in color over time with a commensurate (but gradual) change in the light output. Essentially ballasts do two things in an HID system. They supply the initial high voltage to get the light started (light the bulb so to speak), and then control the voltage after that to keep it lit and steady (which requires much less voltage than the starting process). If you are noticing flickering with a new bulb my guess is that the ballast is at fault. That is exactly what happens when a ballast starts to go bad. It will not get better with time.

Just a cautionary note and I probably don't need to say this but, as you assess this situation don't look at the lit bulb to assess flickering, too bright for the eyes to take and can cause damage. Do exactly what you did and shine the light on a large flat surface.

[B7S3wannabi]

I'm going to disagree with some above. While it is true that changes in color can be the bulb, that is a slow change in color over time with a commensurate (but gradual) change in the light output. Essentially ballasts do two things in an HID system. They supply the initial high voltage to get the light started (light the bulb so to speak), and then control the voltage after that to keep it lit and steady (which requires much less voltage than the starting process). If you are noticing flickering with a new bulb my guess is that the ballast is at fault. That is exactly what happens when a ballast starts to go bad. It will not get better with time.

Just a cautionary note and I probably don't need to say this but, as you assess this situation don't look at the lit bulb to assess flickering, too bright for the eyes to take and can cause damage. Do exactly what you did and shine the light on a large flat surface.

Although your facts are correct, the OP did not state he was experiencing any flickering and the color change happened after ONLY 4-5 seconds (warm up).

No two bulbs of the same kelvin will be EXACTLY the same color, but very close and usually unnoticeable unless one has a slight defect or mislabeled. It is also possible that as you use the bulbs more, they will become closer in color.

[Brillo]

Just re-read the OP and you are correct. Just a slight change in color would point to the bulb. Not sure how I got off on a tangent. Thanks. Light output intensity and color do change gradually with time but usually affects both bulbs somewhat uniformly. Apparently not the case here.

[Ringsby4]

Spoke to Osram today,he told me that to protect against fakes,QR code has been stamped on the info plates.He wants me to read this and he suggested that if the lights are so different in color in new lights there appears to be leakage in the bulb.He said they would replace any problem globes without question if there is a fault in a genuine Osram light bulb.He thought the price I paid was way too low ,$A70 each,he suspects they are fakes even though I bought them from a 100% rated Ebay seller ( in the UK ),It will be interesting,I'll post back here in a week when my aircon dryer arrives and I'll pull the front off....Fingers crossed.

[Ray1031]

I had the same thing happen to me today, the driver's side bulb started getting pinkish in color. I replaced it and back to normal. Last year the passenger side had the same issues.

[Ringsby4]

I had the same thing happen to me today, the driver's side bulb started getting pinkish in color. I replaced it and back to normal. Last year the passenger side had the same issues.

Oh,that's no good-what brand of bulbs were they ?
The tech rep. told me that the most likely color when they are dying of old age is whiter than they were with maybe a purpleish tint-he said mine was a different issue and gas leakage,could explain my color Can't wait till next week to swap them around ie ballast vs bulb failing

[Ray1031]

I bought them off ebay and have no brand but they worked fine for 2 years...

[Axis]

For those who bought Osram off the internet use this video to compare your bulb.