ATI T5 blue+ dim in middle

[McPuff]

Just put in a new T5 bulb (ati blue+) 54W. Fires up normally but after a few seconds it goes dim in the middle of the bulb. Ends are much brighter. Is this a bad bulb? I've tried the same connectors/ballast on another bulb and that one works just fine. Just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. This is my first experience with T5 so thank you!

[wildman926]

What fixture is this? I have found ATI bulbs do this.

They will light after they are up to full operating temperature. That may take 10 minutes or so.

When I ran a Current USA fixture, this happened only with ATI bulbs. They would never fully light.

I have a new fixture, that this happened until they warmed up, and even then they were not that bright. I replace the ballasts with ATI ballasts, and now they are fully lit after a few minutes.

[McPuff]

Thanks. They are Helios... new though. I did not leave the bulb on for too long so you may be right that they just take a while to get to full temp and then operate properly. I will check it this afternoon... I haven't been home during the hour that it's actually ON.

[souk]

Thats normal for mine as well. Like Wildman stated, give it about 10min.