Digi Ballasts and RFI

[Aheadatime]

I've been doing some research regarding which ballasts I want to buy for my first run, and so far almost all of the digi ones I've looked into (SolisTek, Phantom, Quantum) have people complaining about RFI. This is no good, as not only do I not want the interference messing with my neighbors, but I just flat out don't want it messing with my own signals (wifi in particular).

What digi ballasts do you guys use that are RFI proof? I know I can go magnetic, but I've read that magnetics result in a less intense bulb. Do any of you use magnetic ballasts?

 

[BakedBandit]

I'm sure people will chime in, but I hear gravitas don't have rfi problems

 

[Millerstreeandl]

I think Nanolux sells refi protectors for digital ballasts

 

[Aheadatime]

I think Nanolux sells refi protectors for digital ballasts

Any links? I did a quick google search, but most of what I could find was in another language lol

 

[BakedBandit]

Google Nanolux rf filter set. Found it for me. Not sure if/how well they work. Anybody have experience?

 

[Aheadatime]

Google Nanolux rf filter set. Found it for me. Not sure if/how well they work. Anybody have experience?

Thanks, I found them. I'm with you on wanting to hear other people's experience. None of the sites that they're offered at have any reviews.

 

[piranhaz]

Check out Phantom Digital Electronic Ballasts. They are suppose to be FCC cert and not leak RF

 

[Aheadatime]

Check out Phantom Digital Electronic Ballasts. They are suppose to be FCC cert and not leak RF

Thanks for the heads up pirahnaz. Just did some googling around and it seems these have good reviews, and I wasn't able to find any negative reviews relating to interference. Looking like a good candidate for my room.

 

[ddmac82]

Been using phantoms for awhile with no issues.

 

[Aheadatime]

Here we go again.
Cut the cord short. Mine is less than a foot (12 inches or 30 cm) and I use a gavita digistar the worst and no rfi. Look at their pro model. No long leads complete fixture. Just cut the lamp leads down, it's a well known thing I don't get why people complain.

Sorry if this I sound like a noob, but it's because I am. I mentioned in my first post that I was gathering info for my first grow.

Another noob question. Which cord are you talking about? Theres two cords, one from outlet --> ballast and one from ballast --> light. I assume you're talking about the cord from ballast --> light, because on the Gavita Pro, this cord is extremely short. Sorry again for my noobness, but you gotta start somewhere.

 

[Koondense]

Yep, the wire between the ballast and bulb acts like an antenna emitting RF. If it's short like in a gavita pro or epapillon or other similar setup, there should be much lower RF emissions compared to long wired setups.
That's one of main reasons I avoided hids and went straight to led lights which work on DC.

 

[Granger2]

You can line your room with Aluminum/Aluminium foil. It's also a good reflective surface, and blinds infrared snooping. Reflectix is cheap and easy to work with and install. Use staples and Alum tape over it. Good luck. -granger

 

[Midwest sticky]

Just wrap the cable from the ballast to the light socket in aluminum foil. Its a Pain in the ass but works great.

 

[Midwest Toker]

I've been running digitals for a few years now. Cheap ones even and have had no problems with my cable or wireless devices but I installed quad shielded RG 6 though out my house.

 

[Midwest sticky]

Relax, all I did was make a suggestion that worked for me. Before I wrapped the cord there was a bunch of interference after wrapping it there was none. As far as the wrecking micro processor goes the ballast has been running just fine for about three years so obviously it's not doing harm. Just cause people don't do shit the way you think they should doesn't mean theyre wrong.

 

[Aheadatime]

CoCo, Granger never said to wrap the cord in aluminum, nor did he ever say cutting the leads won't work. Seems like you guys have some personal issues to sort out. Mind keeping the personal beef out of this thread?

Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems I have some research to do.

 

[Midwest sticky]

No that was me on the foil, I'll stay out of your thread bud. Wish ya the best of luck with your grow take care.

 

[Aheadatime]

No that was me on the foil, I'll stay out of your thread bud. Wish ya the best of luck with your grow take care.

I never asked for you to leave the thread. I asked that everyone keep the personal beef out of this thread. I've taken your suggestion into consideration, along with the others in this thread. Since I'm building the veg room and flower room from scratch, I'll have a month or two of vegging to do before my flower room gets put into full production mode. During this time, I'll be experimenting with the 1k lights in flower room, seeing if the ballasts create RFI, and if so, trying out all of your guys' recommendations. Thanks for the suggestion Midwest.

 

[Namgorf]

There is many rfi shielding products. Cloth, mesh, foil, tapes, etc. Easily purchased through amazon or ebay or whatever you prefer.

 

[Midwest sticky]

The foil thing does work. Regauardless of what coco thinks.