400w Ballast: Magnetic Vs. Electronic.

So...im in the market for a 400w ballast.

At first, i wanted to go with either a Galaxy or Lumatek Electronic ballast.

Then i discovered that using electronic ballasts can cause problems with radio frequencies.

Im gonna be using this inside my 20'X25' bedroom...There's a TV, sound system, Computer, etc... Ive heard that they can interfere with such electronics.

Has anyone used a lumatek or galaxy system near electronics without interference?

I know that magnetic ballasts don't cause this sort of thing...but i also know that magnetic ballasts make a buzzing sound. I'm not sure that i would want to fill my room with a loud buzzing.

Does anyone have a 400w magnetic ballast that doesnt make that much noise? If so, which brand?

I guess im just seeking a recommendation for one type over the other (magnetic vs Electronic)

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bumpity bump....

can anyone verify the RF interference from "digi" ballasts?

DOnt want that to mess my soudsystem/comp/tv up...

Might have to go magnetic...but noise is a concern.

not to my knowledge and im pretty knowledgeable.

well i have a 250w mh and it makes no noise at all so yer if that helps lol

jamesz01 said:

well i have a 250w mh and it makes no noise at all so yer if that helps lol

Click to expand...

Appreciated...But thats just the wattage and type...What type of ballast are you using with it? Magnetic, or electronic?

Magnetic i will ask my mate at the hydro store and let you no i usally go past every now and then

Yea i was gonna consult my hydro shop manager as well...But i didnt want to go in there acting like a nub, and not buying anything... But sometimes those guys can recommend a certain one just cause its pricier or something.

Luckily most of them are trustworthy.

im runing a 600w lumatek magnetic ballasts and its very loud!! i have had to build a vented box for it, but i had an 600w sunmaster that i could hardly hear, but got very hot, i wish i still had it,, when i re-new mine this is the 1 im going for, as a friend has 1 and very good,,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/600-watt-MH-HPS-grow-light-ballast-Hydroponics-/220340021898?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item334d49ea8a

Wait...Lumatek makes magnetic ballasts?....The only Lumateks ive ever seen are purple/blue ones...which are Electronic "Digital" ballasts.

Theyre supposedly 100% silent, but im concerned about RF interference.

Lumatek magnetic eh? I see no magnetics from the lumatek brand...Unless theyre a really old model.

So i talked to my Hydro-Shop guy...

He said yes, E-Ballasts do cause RF interference...but only when really close to other electronics in the room, and that it is amplified in greater numbers of ballasts.

He also said that the Magnetic ballasts of the same wattage make a considerable amount of noise.

So i guess im gonna go with an E-ballast...A 400w Galaxy. He said that the galaxies and lumateks are pretty much the same...

So after i set it up here ill see if it makes an RF interference. Ill post back with the results.

Just a quick update...

I got a Galaxy 400w HPS/MH ballast....

It runs completely silent...runs at about 100f-107f.

Its about 5ft from my computer, and about 15ft from my tv...I dont see any RF interference at all.