Help with PFO VHO ballast

[minus_13]

SO I just ordered a large shipment from your company. Anyhow, within the order came a PFO VHO electronic ballast retrofit kit. It's the sinlge-bulb, 48" unit.

Here's the trouble I am having. There is an apparently large amount of interference generated by the ballast. My no-name variable speed fans have gone mad, and now only spin at one, quite frenzied speed. I thought my fans were just bad fans, but all the radios in my house get heavy interference when the VHO is on also. Even the wireless radios get bad interference, specifically on AM.

Is there something wrong? Everything goes back to normal when I turn off the ballast. I have tried separate outlets, but to no avail. I have even tried separate breakers. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I think the unit is great, but its side-effects are not something I want to be dealing with at the start up of a new tank.

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the problem with the VHO ballast. That is actually the first case i've heard with PFO, but have seen that with Icecap and other electronic ballasts. It seems to usually be rare cases, and usually is a combo of the ballast and house wiring. Not sure why it happens.

There could always be a problem with that actual ballast though. If you like that setup we would be willing to exchange it and see if another exact same unit causes you the same problem. If it does, then I would say you are just one of the unfortunate cases that electronic ballasts and your house wiring just don't get a long. So if you want to exchange for another PFO or try something else let us know. I would email sales@premiumaquatics.com so we can get access to your order history etc.

thanks

 

[minus_13]

The thing is that I have already set up an exchange for halide bulbs that I purchased along with this order. I am starting to feel like a problem customer. But truthfully, I am just being honest.

 

[jasonfrey]

That's no problem at all. The old "when it rains it pours" happens a lot. Works on our side too. We'll ship something and make a mistake, then make another mistake on replacement or another product. SO we know how it goes. We want happy customers, so that is what is most important to us.

Just email us on how you want to exchange that. Could buy another one now if you want, try it, and if works, then we take the other back and refund your card, or if not work, we take both back and refund both. Or can ship that back and we just exchange, so no money taken from your account, just little longer wait. Which ever works best for you.

thanks

 

[minus_13]

You guys really are the best. I think I am going to try one of these first:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=273-105

If that doesn't work, I will go from there. I think I should remove all possibilities on my end before asking for a refund or exchange. We'll keep in touch. Thanks!

 

[minus_13]

I tried two types of line filters... neither worked. When I put foil around the bulb, the interference lessened somewhat, but was still rather prominent. I am running out of ideas. A reflector will not fit in my canopy. My PFO reflectors for my MHs take up all the space. Any ideas?

 

[jasonfrey]

Sorry to hear that didn't work. We'll try another ballast tomorrow, maybe we'll get lucky. If not, we'll have to go back to the drawing board on your retro, maybe look at PC or something else.

thanks

 

[minus_13]

I got the new ballast today, and the song remains the same... no biggie... I am going to ship the new one you sent me back to you guys. I'll keep what I have and make some kind of reflector and then ground it... that should take care of it... You guys have been wonderful. You've got a life-long customer here... I have no need to look anywhere else... Thanks again.

 

[minus_13]

Just wanted to let you know that everything has been sent back... Now all I have to do is find a buyer for the Ushios you sent me... My 1 year and 6 month old Ushios were more blue than the new pair... ARRRRGGH! THere's no way I am putting you guys through another exchange... damn... when it rains it pours... At least my Gen-X pump worked out! :mad2: This has been so frustrating...

 

[Jeremy B.]

I am kind of "butting in" here, but did you try and run the Ushio's that long? They do appear extremely yellow, and in some cases green for the first 100 - 150hrs of use, after that they will whiten up significantly. HTH

 

[minus_13]

Thanks for your input... I don't remember my last pair being this yellow, but I am going to stick with the pair I have... If they whiten up, great... But you know, at 6 hours a day, it's going to take about a month to see the difference... oh well... the price you pay for a very reliable bulb. Thanks again...