New Grower Will RF from Digital ballast be a problem if I don't have cable?

[postwar]

Hey guys,

Long time lurker, finally starting my first auto grow/indoor grow for the winter.


I have been really researching this RF issue with these ballasts. Will be using Apollo 600w ballast, seems some people have issues while others have none with this ballast. Apollo's site now claims their ballast are RF shielded, but however they do still emit some interference.

Question is-Should I be concerned since I will be dropping Comcast cable before my grow starts? Basically is there still any red flags I should be worried about. I do live in close proximity of neighbors who still use Comcast. Grow room will be about 20-30 from closest neighbor. Walls are all made of brick if that changes anything and my grow room will not be set in a tent. Which I believe may cause a little more RF problems, since the frame is made of metal and acts like an antenna, but not positive on this.

Thanks!

 

[1guy1plant]

Hi postwar, I went through the same issue with my first setup. I was about to pull the trigger on a hps/mh light and ran across the rf signal issue. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of retired people that would lose their mind if their Fox News feed was disrupted. You might check out a "faraday cage." I am just not that handy so I ultimately went the LED route. I am happy so far and I think they are easier. They are more expensive generally but I got 2 300 watt LEDs ( actual draw 170 each) for $200. It is a weird issue bc some people never have a problem and some do. I almost think it might have something to do with individual surrounding areas.

Also, you could go with a magnetic ballast instead of digital. They are getting harder to find and are louder and heavier but no rf issue.

 

[astronomy420a]

if you run in to rf problem's as one guy said, a faraday cage is easy to make, just wrap it in bronze screening from your local hardware store"My 2 cents".just loosely wrap the ballast in the

screen, cost just a few buck's.

 

[jackmc]

I'd go LED to avoid your potential RF problem and reduce the heat and use less electricity. Good luck!

 

[pop22]

Hey guys,

Long time lurker, finally starting my first auto grow/indoor grow for the winter.


I have been really researching this RF issue with these ballasts. Will be using Apollo 600w ballast, seems some people have issues while others have none with this ballast. Apollo's site now claims their ballast are RF shielded, but however they do still emit some interference.

Question is-Should I be concerned since I will be dropping Comcast cable before my grow starts? Basically is there still any red flags I should be worried about. I do live in close proximity of neighbors who still use Comcast. Grow room will be about 20-30 from closest neighbor. Walls are all made of brick if that changes anything and my grow room will not be set in a tent. Which I believe may cause a little more RF problems, since the frame is made of metal and acts like an antenna, but not positive on this.

Thanks!

The problem is, is the RF from your ballast, enough to affect your neighbors cable. that's how they find it, by the type of complaint when checking a neighbors problems.

What you need is an RF choke, also known as a torriod coil to put on the power cord. Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Ferrite-Core-...8&sr=8-7&keywords=ferrite+core+for+power+cord

 

[Son of Hobbes]

Just a curious question (as a guy who uses digital and magnetic HID ballasts,) have any of you personally seen (with your own eyes) the effects of your lamps creating RFI to the point that it's actually disrupting things beyond your home walls? Absolutely meant as an inquisitive question and nothing else.

Also, is it just lack of/poor shielding in the electronic components that causes that?

 

[FadedMalone]

I have a 400 watt digital. The RH signals are crazy coming from it. I built a Faraday cage simply from aluminum screen and one from aluminum foil as well.The one made from aluminum foil was just a experiment but worked.Make on from screen so the ballast can breath. Just to be safe I rapped the power supply cords with foil tape and the hood and cut off all the RH signals. The RH signals travel a long way and if bad enough will mess with your wi-fi and cable and will do the same to your neighbors wi-fi as well. If you do build a Faraday cage put your radio in the room and before you turn the unit on turn your radio to am radio and find the best clearest station you can and then turn the light on. If the light messes up the channel then you still have RH problems. If you use the light and it starts messing with peoples stuff like cable and wi-fi around you the cable company might come over to check your cable lines. They will want excess your house and personally to me that would be a security breach.

 

[pop22]

I'd go LED to avoid your potential RF problem and reduce the heat and use less electricity. Good luck!

The LED light can produce RF also, however, the power supplies uses for the LEDs are genereally better shielded.

I have a 400 watt digital. The RH signals are crazy coming from it. I built a Faraday cage simply from aluminum screen and one from aluminum foil as well.The one made from aluminum foil was just a experiment but worked.Make on from screen so the ballast can breath. Just to be safe I rapped the power supply cords with foil tape and the hood and cut off all the RH signals. The RH signals travel a long way and if bad enough will mess with your wi-fi and cable and will do the same to your neighbors wi-fi as well. If you do build a Faraday cage put your radio in the room and before you turn the unit on turn your radio to am radio and find the best clearest station you can and then turn the light on. If the light messes up the channel then you still have RH problems. If you use the light and it starts messing with peoples stuff like cable and wi-fi around you the cable company might come over to check your cable lines. They will want excess your house and personally to me that would be a security breach.

A Faraday cage will work, but its a lot of work when you can just use and RF choke.

 

[FadedMalone]

Just a curious question (as a guy who uses digital and magnetic HID ballasts,) have any of you personally seen (with your own eyes) the effects of your lamps creating RFI to the point that it's actually disrupting things beyond your home walls? Absolutely meant as an inquisitive question and nothing else.

Also, is it just lack of/poor shielding in the electronic components that causes that?

Yes!!! I sat in my car on an am station and had my wife turn the light on and boom no radio. She turned it off and the radio played like it should.My car was at least 30 feet from my grow space. I also used a baby monitor 60 feet from my house to the road and noticed a little problem but not that much.

 

[Son of Hobbes]

Yes!!! I sat in my car on an am station and had my wife turn the light on and boom no radio. She turned it off and the radio played like it should.My car was at least 30 feet from my grow space. I also used a baby monitor 60 feet from my house to the road and noticed a little problem but not that much.

What brand of ballast is it?

I run two budget minded ballasts (iPower brand) and have never had any issues with RF interference, that's why I ask. Was curious if certain brands are more prone to it due to materials used/production.