Help ballast is causing interference with TV

JCave

JCave

Well-Known Member
I am pretty sure this has bad news written all over it, and I am ready to return it, but I want to see what other people say.

I have a 600w Apollo ballast http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-400w-600w-1000w-HPS-MH-Digital-Ballast-Grow-Light-/180860068054?pt=US_Hydroponics&var=&hash=item6fc83d01b3

This is what the interference looks like.

interference.jpg

Pretty much TV is unwatchable when its on.

Also when I turn the ballast off, my iphone which was charging with PC turned on, as it try to reconnect and disconnect form my pc. Its seems to effect that too.

I can return this ballast problem, but can I fix it?

Do all ballast have this type of interference or is mine defected?
 
fir3dragon

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
You can't fix it. That's why you get quality equipment. Apollo and ipower brands are cheap for a reason.
 
JCave

JCave

Well-Known Member
fir3dragon said:
You can't fix it. That's why you get quality equipment. Apollo and ipower brands are cheap for a reason.
Click to expand...
I agree, you get what you pay for.

I read I can make a faraday cage around it, but I rather not try to fix something like this.

What ballast brands are recommended?
 
fir3dragon

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
JCave said:
I agree, you get what you pay for.

I read I can make a faraday cage around it, but I rather not try to fix something like this.

What ballast brands are recommended?
Click to expand...
i use a hydro farm phantom ballast. No problems. Lumatek and soils tek are good brands too. No experience from them though just read reviews.
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
I've never had any kind of interference off my 600 watt Ipower....
Most is coming off the cord(the ballast is shielded) wrap it and move the ballast to the other side of the room...its supposed to be bolted up high on the wall anyway

There's all kinds of ways to reduce rfi... they even make wall paint
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
My I power doesn't match the one in the link....
The link seems a bit sketchy....probly got a rebuilt/bad ballast
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Lmao I don't why the eff I said ipower

I have Apollo!Thats not what Apollo ballasts look like
At least not what they look like now (note the gold side plates for example)

Ah its your fault fir3dragon...somehow it got stuck in my head
 
JCave

JCave

Well-Known Member
What I am trying to understand is, this ballast Apollo brand specifically is giving me unbearable RF interference. Is it because it's cheaply made or do all digital ballast give some level of RF interference.

My situation I can buy a higher quality digital ballast or I can buy a magnetic ballast and be sure it does not produce any interference.
 
fir3dragon

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
JCave said:
What I am trying to understand is, this ballast Apollo brand specifically is giving me unbearable RF interference. Is it because it's cheaply made or do all digital ballast give some level of RF interference.

My situation I can buy a higher quality digital ballast or I can buy a magnetic ballast and be sure it does not produce any interference.
Click to expand...
Magnetic doesn't emit rf so you will be fine if you go that route. They emit more heat
 
JCave

JCave

Well-Known Member
Here is what I did, I changed the outlet which my ballast was plugged into, and now I don't see anymore RF interference.

norf.jpg

I live in a apartment complex and I don't want the cable company knocking at my door because of the interference.

Now I am even more confused, because does the ballast produce RF interference or not?
 
fir3dragon

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
JCave said:
Here is what I did, I changed the outlet which my ballast was plugged into, and now I don't see anymore RF interference.

View attachment 2952362

I live in a apartment complex and I don't want the cable company knocking at my door because of the interference.

Now I am even more confused, because does the ballast produce RF interference or not?
Click to expand...
Im not sure if it does or not. I would be very skeptical about this living In a apartment complex. I'm not sure what to do.
 
JCave

JCave

Well-Known Member
Update!

I bought a radio with am/fm to make sure of what was going on.

What I found out is it produces some interference but its only few inches close to the ballast itself.

Since the ballast was plugged into the same line that the TV, cable, and pc was running off, it was causing interference then, but now since its now plugged into a different outlet, its not giving me any more interference.
 
70's natureboy

70's natureboy

Well-Known Member
The only digital ballast I ever had that didn't make rfi is my Lumatek. My Solis tek makes all kinds of rfi. I can't listen to my radio at all for 12 hours a day. I'm just lucky I don't have close neighbors that like to listen to the radio.
 
phantombuds

phantombuds

Member
JCave said:
Here is what I did, I changed the outlet which my ballast was plugged into, and now I don't see anymore RF interference.

View attachment 2952362

I live in a apartment complex and I don't want the cable company knocking at my door because of the interference.

Now I am even more confused, because does the ballast produce RF interference or not?
Click to expand...
I see your living room looks a lot like mine! I got grow stuff everywhere right now! Driving the wife nuts! :-D :bigjoint:

EDIT: Oh and to be on topic, my Quantum 1000 digital puts out 0% interference.
 
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