Dealing with RFI….

[fortphoenix]

hey guys I’m wondering how you deal with RFI? I know gavitas, LEDs and magnetic ballasts barely produce RFI and shortening the chord and faraday cages help but are there any other real fixes for electric ballasts?

i know theres ferrite beads/chokes and RFI paint and products like nanolux filter kits but has any body ever tried these to know if they work? can’t find reviews anywhere. theres a few threads on this info but they’re quite outdated, theres got to be a good,simple solution by now. any e-ballasts/hoods/bulbs that don’t produce RFI at all? any input is appreciated!!!

 

[cocktail frank]

You need to fix your grounding issues with your electric.
A solidly grounded system with proper bonding will fix your problems and get rid of your interference.

 

[fortphoenix]

You need to fix your grounding issues with your electric.
A solidly grounded system with proper bonding will fix your problems and get rid of your interference.

well i don't have any problems yet but i want to make sure they're avoided before spending a bunch of money on it are you saying the grounding to my electric itsself or grounding the hood? i have heard of grounding the hood but I'm not too sure how to do that which is why I'm asking if the products i mentioned work

 

[cocktail frank]

You need to make sure your electrical service has proper grounding and bonding, all your grounds (GEC) are in order.
Then make sure your branch circuits feeding your rig (receptacles) are properly grounded.
A quick Google search will help you learn what to look for.

 

[FireIn.TheSky]

CF is right on the money, proper grounding is often over looked. I've seen harmonic resonance do some whacky things. The ground is how electrical systems dissipate unwanted frequency.

 

[cocktail frank]

Thanks man, I didn't want to get too in detail with harmonics getting fucked up from linear loads (ballasts, pc's, pretty much most electronics) but it can't be ignored.
Did you guys ever notice those little round noise cancelling magnet enclosures around sensitive equipment power cords? It is trying to avoid rfi using those as well.

 

[fortphoenix]

You need to make sure your electrical service has proper grounding and bonding, all your grounds (GEC) are in order.
Then make sure your branch circuits feeding your rig (receptacles) are properly grounded.
A quick Google search will help you learn what to look for.

yeah I've already heard of that and grounding the reflector too but can't you still get RFI even if its all grounded correctly? also i already mentioned the ferrite beads i was just wondering how effective they are when used

 

[Granger2]

You can completely line your room with foil, incl Reflectix, Prodex. Walk around outside your room with an AM radio and see if you get interference. Good luck. -granger

 

[FireIn.TheSky]

Thanks man, I didn't want to get too in detail with harmonics getting fucked up from linear loads (ballasts, pc's, pretty much most electronics) but it can't be ignored.
Did you guys ever notice those little round noise cancelling magnet enclosures around sensitive equipment power cords? It is trying to avoid rfi using those as well.
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My new Phantom ballast has one of these built in on both the power cord and lamp cord.