Weird behavior from a SON lamp

[Liam]

Hi guys need some help here, recently the SON lamp in my Piazza has been acting strangely, it has been flickering dimly then going back to normal a bit like a lamp that wants to cycle but cant, that Phenomena lasts around 30 minuets before returning to normal. The lamp is a Belgium Sylvania shp-T 70w that was fitted new early last year and there's not much arc tube blackening or hasn't shifted to a pink color so i'm not shore whats wrong with it? The piazza is fitted with a standard metal can British Thorn igniter.
Can anyone help me and explain why this is happening?

[Liam]

Well it turns out that the lamp is close to EOL, just been looking at it and it seems that the ark is swirling around the bottom electrode, so i think it will possibly be ready for cycling very soon? Strange that it hasn't pinked out yet but i suppose it will just before cycling?

[Danny]

Stick the lamp in your zx1 and see what it does

[Liam]

Both ZX1's don't seem to cycle any of my lamps not even deep pinked out SLI lol except one PHILIPS you gave me.

[Danny]

Just try it in there see if it does anything after a while. You need to leave the zx1s on for hours really

[Liam]

I don't rally want to move it mate, i want to keep it in the Piazza for as long as possible, Can't believe its close to EOL after a year and 1/2 from new, those lamps normally do 10+ years!

[Danny]

It might take out your ignitor though. Either that or stick another ignitor in. I could do with seeing a picture of this lamp sometime maybe..........??

[Liam]

Yea i will grab a pic at some point this week if weather is ok, i've still got those 8' tubes to photograph for you too.

[Danny]

Sometime soon would be nice lol

[Liam]

Lamp started cycling tonight 10.11.15