Any problems re: digital ballasts and EMI/RF?

[HeadyPete]

I was reading a little while ago about digital ballasts and interference. I looked through the threads here regarding this issue.

Does anyone have any conclusive evidence or problems with LEO regarding these ballasts?

I was considering them until I came across those threads.

Although they say the digital units and cables are shielded, the problem is that the bulb is part of the transmit circuit and is not shielded.

Any updates?

Of course this problem diminishes as these ballasts are installed for regular lighting applications....

 

[Guest]

hello pete,
one of my 400hps has a digital ballast, and i'm not getting any interference that i can tell.
someone said to play a AM radio near the light a listen for problems... i didn't hear a thing. although others have from theirs.

i have a cheapy digital ballast ( winkon brand ) but i have ZERO complaints with it!
it also runs a million times cooler than the other 2 magnetic 400hps ballasts in the same room. and it doesn't even have a built in fan.

if i were only running one light, i would be a little leary of running a digital ballast in case it does shit out it might funk up your light cycle.

 

[Stoney Bologna]

Hi there HeadyPete,

If I understand you correctly, you want to know if LEO can detect the presence of a growroom based on the EMI of a ballast? Is that right?

I can say with confidence that LEO cannot detect the presence of a growroom based on the EMI of a digital ballast or any other device in the growroom. Any coil of metal with a current passing through it produces EMI. Digital ballasts typically produce less EMI/RF noise than analog ballasts and are the preferred choice of lighting for people working in the RFID industry where EMI/RF interference is a huge concern.

I hope this helps. Sorry if I misunderstood your question.

Cheers

 

[HeadyPete]

Thank you both for your input. I feel much better, now.

I really like the idea of digital ballasts and now I will buy those when the time comes.

Stoney: you answered my question perfectly! Thank you!

 

[HeadyPete]

I like these digi lights:

http://www.nblighting.com/

 

[Guest]

emi and rf are emitted from many products around your house. Thats why some of us go to great lengths to ensure our audio and video cableing is able to reject such interference.

But to think LEO can get suspicious because of EMI/RF....well, they would have to get warrents to enter almost every house with electrical appliances in the world.

Cheers,
SH

 

[Stoney Bologna]

Here's a link to some cheap digi ballasts. You may have already seen this because lots of people have been throwing this link around, but just in case:

http://www.hidhut.com/category1.php