Is my new 400w digital ballast suppose to buzz so loudly?

I got a new 400w digital ballast from HTG. http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=45667

It has a loud buzz. Is this normal? Is it the ballast being defective or the power going to it not being enough or what? It is so loud it can be heard through the wall. The wall is uninsulated but, but still... I have had a MH and HPS 400w before, like 4-5 years ago, and do not remember them being close to this loud. I opted for this digital for the quietness HTG advertised, and it is not quiet imo.

I haven't called HTG about it yet and had it 3 days. I am going to call them depending on the feedback I receive here.

On a side note; Did some searching yesterday on RIU regaurding this. Someone did mention theirs being very loud and sent it back....maybe I have the one he sent back.... .....

it should be silent. Call them and get a new one. Id be pissed.

Or just look into the Galaxy or Lumetek ballast. Those are quality

VaporBros said:

it should be silent. Call them and get a new one. Id be pissed.

Or just look into the Galaxy or Lumetek ballast. Those are quality

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What about the new Nextgen 1000w ballast? I saw one of those in my local hydro store and it was nice.
Barely warm to the touch and dead silent. Too bad it only comes in 1000w.

Thanks for confirming the needed silence! I imagined there would only be the sound of a fan and you have confirmed that.

Skeksis, i dont know about those, i think i saw them at my Hydro store aswell, if they came in smaller wattage id def get one of them. Very nice.

Optik, forsure man no problem. Im sure other people will chime in too

i'm getting the 600w digital of the same brand, from the same place. did you contact them, what did they say?

ScottsBlown99 said:

i'm getting the 600w digital of the same brand, from the same place. did you contact them, what did they say?

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I am calling tomorrow.

OpTikPhiber said:

I am calling tomorrow.

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keep me posted! thanks,

yea i have read on these boards that some are defective and really loud contact them and tell them is way to loud and you believe it is faulty they should send you a new one and a label to return the old one

I just plugged 2 digital ballasts from htg 600"s and both are very quiet and cool to the touch when running. Any problem I have had with anything they sold have been taken care of fast. The ballasts sound like a computer fan when it is booting up if that helps.

Well I tried calling 3 times and finally settled on leaving them a voice mail. I haven't heard back yet though ;(

Thanks for all of the replies everyone!

I think these digital ballasts, no matter what brand, have there problems.
Sometimes you just get a dud.
My brand new Lumatek 400w ran hot from the start and wouldn't fire up my HPS bulb at all. I took it back to my hydro shop and they're organizing a replacement. They gave me a new standard HPS ballast to keep me going while I wait.
Hope you get it sorted.

My ballast buzz's constantly..

Never really thought about it to be honest with you. Its never become a problem.

they are super busy on phones but respond to emails within a day Although at times hard to get a hold of, their staff is excellent, and form my experience should prolyl hook ya up with little to no problems.

update? ordering mine soon, might go with the hid hut varity, any thoughts?

lookin for an update, see how you made out

htg has always been great to me and should send a new one out no problem whith a will call box for the defected one

Well to be honest, they never called or emailed me back! And I have been so busy last few days it slipped my mind. The buzzing did subside somewhat and is masked some by fans. But really it is far (far far far) from silent. I guess I should call them again tomorrow. I like the idea of them sending me a new one while I keep this one, hopefully they will offer me that.

Don't worry all I will call them again and hopefully be able to show the resolve on here.

But look it is what it is so far; the digital greenhouse product does seem notorious on here for being hit or miss, with a few misses reported. And they did not call me back. Actually when I was ordering originally they didn't return an email twice and I had to finally call to find out if my order was ever going to be shipped, (which took about 8 days). So as wonderful as I keep hearing their customer service is, I really haven't gotten it. Anyway IF I ordered another setup it would probably be from another online source...and admittedly will probably cost more because they have great pries from what I found.

Peace, and no hard feeling to htg too. (just going else where in future <g>)

They cant read your mind.

hey,
yeah call them back, just make sure your calm, cool, and collective.
my friend gets bent out of shape when it comes to things like this(cursing and screaming) and it just back fires on him!!!! GET RIPPED BEFORE YOU CALL IF THATS WHAT IT TAKES
I don't know you personally, but I'm sure they will help you out.

later