This is a reply to this thread http://forum.grasscity.com/absolute-beginners/542746-digital-ballasts.html#post6673854 Here they are- two videos showing two different brand ballasts causing radio interference. I fluked out and got them to come on at the same part of the song on the radio. Some things I should mention. Two FM stations where not affected by the ballast coming on, maybe they had a stronger signal? You get way more interference if the ballast is plugged in into the same circuit as the radio. Firing up the ballast on a separate circuit about 20ft away and moving the bulb closer to the ballast created more interference as the bulb got closer to the radio which means the quartz filament is giving off quite a bit of the radio interference. I haven't tested it with a MH bulb and only and HPS bulb. I will make a video of this later. I will do more testing later. You should turn up the volume to hear the noise better Brand new Lumatek Ballast 1000W (the latest version of the ballast design) [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N1BaCKOn6I]YouTube - Digital Ballast Radio Interference -Lumatek Brand[/ame] Brand new Light Energy Ballast 1000W (the latest version of the ballast design) [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyaDpaeMSKQ]YouTube - Digital Ballast Radio Interference - Light Energy Brand[/ame]
You only say the brand though not the specs of the ballast. As the link showed that I gave in the other thread and to Lumateks admission all still give off some interferance, with the 700watt being as close to none as they have. But they all give of various amounts, so can't really just go by brand but specific wattage and brand. Nice video though, like its simplicity.
Just changed the info of the above post with the wattage of the ballasts. I'll see if I have 600W and will do a video for those along with the 400W. I'll repost tomorrow with the other videos.
Sounds good. If you need I can put up a video of my 600watt, but probably be best if you can so variables are better controlled.
I left the test area the same so I'll be the exact same test. I have a 600W Nextgen somewhere just have to dig it out. I can get a 600W Lumatek but will have to substitute it (its in use right now) with the NextGen so won't be able to make a 600W Lumatek video till Sat.
Here's a brand new Lumatek 400W HPS ballast Lumatek 400W [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svUk74khIFk]YouTube - Digital Ballast Radio Interference - Lumatek 400W HPS[/ame] I couldn't find the NextGen this morning but will dig it out tonight and post a new video tomorrow.
Batter up - 600W NextGen [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_lqAKfWGwY]YouTube - Digital Ballast Radio Interference - NextGen 600W HPS[/ame]
I wonder if this would have an affect on other RF signals? Just plugged in a 600w and in the room outside of it my wireless mouse and keyboard have lost the majority of their range for no apparent reason Literally went from 10-15 feet to about 2 ft range. So I just confirmed it, turned off the light and the range is back to normal. Great. We have a problem. Found this article showing interference with multiple AM radio signals, not many FM stations though. http://www.bghydro.com/bgh/static/articles/0506_digiballasts.asp FIXED!! Found out that there was an electric wire running about 2 inches away from the bulbs cable, ran it a different way and the interference is gone for the time being...
That article seems to be way out of whack on some things Even though I think Hortilux is way overpriced they do produce more lumens then a standards Sylvania and Philips. Umm well as you can see and I should have noted the FM frequency but all those videos I made where on FM stations. What also make a difference is not having the radio on the same circuit as the digital ballast. All the Lumatek's shown in the videos are brand spanking new/latest design multi volt/multi wattage ones. I'll make another video next week showing how when the bulb (not the ballast) gets closer to the radio the interference increases. This is because the quartz filament inside the bulb is creating the radio interference and having a shielded cable doesn't do too much as at the end of the line the bulb/mogul socket are not shielded.