just bought a new bulb and ballast is acting up

[mopar9012]

I bought an ARO ballast and fixture(with bulb) about 2-3 weeks ago, it worked fine. One day I thought i noticed a crack in the bulb so I bought a new phoenix. I havent ran the light itself for about a week and now my ballast is making a wierd noise, it sounds like a sound of electricity that could possibly start a fire. I have only hooked it up for a couple seconds, should I try to let it start up completly and see what happens? with a fire extingusher next to me, of course.

 

[salt210]

I would call where you bought it and see what they say.
does it sound like a sparking(arking) inside the ballast?

 

[sly]

Are the bulb and ballast rated at the same wattage? Is there any salt anywhere on the ballast or on the wiring? Does it do it with different bulbs?