T5 HO Ballast causing interference with Apex Conductivity Probe please help

[Jyetman]

I'm having a problem with interference created by a Fullham workhorse 39 Watt ballast model H5-120-L the 3 bulb version. The ballast is grounded to wall outlet and when ballast is turned off the RF disappears. What can I do to prevent this interference? I'm running 2 of 3 T5 HO bulbs and when the ballast turns on the interference disrupts readings on the conductivity probe which I wrapped its cable in aluminum foil and grounded it to help shield it better. The moment I turn on the T5s the Apex Cond probe drops from 34 to 33.5 and switch T5s off it jumps back to 34. Any ideas on what to do?

I'm using 2 of 3 of the available T5 connectors the remaining unused red wires are capped. Its been running over a year and didn't really notice the probe readings drop until recently. If I remove my grounding probe from the tank the COND probe goes bonkers it drops to 22.3 or below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qxe1yfxgz0s73ye/fulham.JPG?dl=0

 

[Cammunoz]

T5 HO Ballast causing interference with Apex Conductivity Probe please help

The same thing happened with my temp probe. My MP40 was causing a interference. I wrote to ecotech and they offered me a PM2 to use with the temp probe and that solved the issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pr

 

[Mark Bianco]

The plasma process our machines incorporate are very noisy we use quite a few of theses they come in many different sizes...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ring-Core-...07&rk=1&rkt=1&&_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226

 

[Jyetman]

The plasma process our machines incorporate are very noisy we use quite a few of theses they come in many different sizes...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ring-Core-...07&rk=1&rkt=1&&_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226

Where do I install these magnets around the AC wires going into the ballast or the output wires? Do I include all wires on the output side?

 

[Mark Bianco]

I am no electronic person by trade, and perhaps someone with that type of knowledge will chime in later today. The best I can do is to to tell you where we use them. First we place one each on the all sensors / probe wires. The next place we use one on each is on the all the wires leading to power the fans inside the controller. There are a few places in the video subsection of the controller, but I dont see how that could be relevant to your issue.

Mark

 

[mcgyvr]

mitigating EMI,etc... is kind of a black art and best to just "try" and "adjust"..
ferrite beads as shown above can certain help
separation of the wires will really help.. get one as far away from the other as possible..

Without knowing exactly what you have running where its impossible to suggest more..

 

[Jyetman]

The magnet ring and separating the output wires seem to have done the trick!

Thank You

 

[Mark Bianco]

Glad to hear it...