MH radio interference
- Thread starter ctripi
- Start date
citripi, I use the ARO ballasts with 2 250 halides as well. I noticed a problem the first day I fired my halides. I had interference with one tv channel (little white lines scrolling about 3" apart). However, the problem resolved itself and haven't noticed it for some time. Don't know how or why except I did move the antenna just a fraction of a couple of inches and after that it stopped. I'm not going to be able to help you much, but wanted to let you know I experienced this with my tv.
How far away are your ballast from your radio? Mine would be about 10 ft. The tv and aquarium are in separate rooms, but a wall divides the rooms. Does this problem occur with all FM stations or just one?
Sorry I'm not much help here.
How far away are your ballast from your radio? Mine would be about 10 ft. The tv and aquarium are in separate rooms, but a wall divides the rooms. Does this problem occur with all FM stations or just one?
Sorry I'm not much help here.
ctripi
New member
The MH's are about 5' away from the radio but it also causes inteference two rooms away in the garage. I'll try the other stations but I'm sure it interferes with all frequences. I called Hellolights. Their suggested was wrapping tin-foil around the ballasts. But I have yet to try it as it doesn't seem plausable.
46FiatYamaha
New member
I've read that it's only electronic ballasts that cause radio interference, and magnetic ones don't, so if it's bad enough, maybe try trading out ballasts
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
mfp4073
New member
I think I agree that the issue several rooms away is due to feedback through the wiring in the house, while the close radio is probably due to direct interference. I have an AM radio I use in my room and if I have the lamp next to it on (has one of those CF bulbs in it) I cannot hear the radio. would think an isolator, surge protector, or battery backup would help to isolate the MHs. Dont know which would work but at least some of those options would be expensive. Do some testing to see what you get, if you have several good power strips try each, or a battery backup for your computer. As a further out problem (and not saying this to jump to conclusions or make you worry) but stuff like this with car stereos could be due to bad power or ground connections. Only reason I say this is that I had to replace a breaker in my box recently because the contacts had corroded and were shorting out causing damage. Yeah, scary! But I would list that WAY down the road for things to check and try
piercho
New member
The electronic ballast operates at a high frequency. The ballast, the reflector, and the cord between them can act as an emmitter - an antennae. In this case I believe that you ballast is emmitting frequencies in the FM range, which the radio reciever is picking up. All electronic devices do this, which is why there are emmision standards that portable electronic equipment has to be built to, and why airlines demand all electronic equipment be turned off while the plane is taking off or landing.
To prevent your ballast from acting as an antennae you have to shield it - dampen the intensity of the radio waves being emmited. A shield is a metal enclosure surrounding the ballast components that has a connection to ground. Most electronic ballasts come in a metal enclosure. This metal enclosure must be attached to ground to act as a shield. Is your ballast in a metal enclosure? Have you attached the ground wire of the power cord to the enclosure? In addition, the metal reflector/housing for the lamp should be grounded. A ground conductor should run from the reflector/housing to the ballast enclosure. If the ballast enclosure and the reflector are not grounded, try grounding them and see if this resolves the issue.
Grounding your lighting system also helps prevent you from being shocked.
You can also try to filter out the noise at the reciever. A power line filter can be placed between the wall socket and the radio power cord. If the radio has a seperate antennae you may also be able to put a noise filter between the antennae and the radio reciever. But I would try shielding the source, first, myself.
To prevent your ballast from acting as an antennae you have to shield it - dampen the intensity of the radio waves being emmited. A shield is a metal enclosure surrounding the ballast components that has a connection to ground. Most electronic ballasts come in a metal enclosure. This metal enclosure must be attached to ground to act as a shield. Is your ballast in a metal enclosure? Have you attached the ground wire of the power cord to the enclosure? In addition, the metal reflector/housing for the lamp should be grounded. A ground conductor should run from the reflector/housing to the ballast enclosure. If the ballast enclosure and the reflector are not grounded, try grounding them and see if this resolves the issue.
Grounding your lighting system also helps prevent you from being shocked.
You can also try to filter out the noise at the reciever. A power line filter can be placed between the wall socket and the radio power cord. If the radio has a seperate antennae you may also be able to put a noise filter between the antennae and the radio reciever. But I would try shielding the source, first, myself.
