Is RFI tripping my controller?

[Applesauce]

I use a sentinel hid-2 light controller. I noticed a few weeks ago the hid-2 would randomly make a clicking sound and restart my ballast causing a hot-ignite. I thought it was a cycling bulb but it is not. Plugging the ballast directly into the wall or a simple timer and this problem seems to have gone away. This is not acceptable as I need an accurate multi-timer that stops hot starts if the power goes out.

My digital ballasts definitely emit RFI. Could this be the cause? It is difficult for me to replicate this as it occurs at random.

What controller is reliable, good for 2-3 lights and will not be affected by RFI?

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

I dont think it's RFI, but if RFI is a concern of yours you could go get a cheap plug tester, and test the outlet and test the ground for the outlet you are using.

RFI becomes an issue on insufficiently grounded circuits because the ground is how the RFI dissipates. The ballast itself may not be sensitive to RFI but the controls in the controller might be this is why it works when plugged in to the wall directly even though the circuit might not have proper grounding.


I'd start by checking the outlet.

A few questions that would help your diagnosis would be.

How long have you had the controller?

How long have you been using that circuit?

When did the problem start?

Have you recently added more lights? Or changed anything?

How many watts are you running?

How many amps and what voltage is the circuit you are using?

 

[growshopfrank]

i would say that there is a problem with your controller
its very doubtful that RFI interference would override the sentinel's on delay circuit
contact the manufacturer with your concerns and see if they can work out a exchange for that unit
good luck

 

[Applesauce]

How long have you had the controller? 2.5 years

How long have you been using that circuit? Years

When did the problem start? This could have been ongoing for a long time. I run the lights on this circuit at night and don't see it often. When I did I believed it was a cycling bulb and simply replaced the bulb.

Have you recently added more lights? Or changed anything? No

How many watts are you running? On this circuit, about 1000 total

How many amps and what voltage is the circuit you are using? 15 amp circuit, 120 volts

This circuit only has a 600 w quantum plugged into the sentinel hid-2. It has done this with and without the fans/other items plugged into the 2nd receptacle on the unit. The outlet on this circuit IS a GFCI which could be a problem (?), but as originally stated, the light seems to be running fine on just a simple timer.

This problem occurs at random. I have noticed it within a few minutes of ignition. It looks exactly like a cycling bulb. The light shuts off then restarts in a minute or so. It doesn't keep happening though (from what I've seen). The sentinel does not keep the light off for the hot start protection when this occurs so it can't be a loss of power.

 

[The Meadows]

See if you can reproduce the problem with different gear. Try plugging an incandescent light into the controller and watch what it does. If the problem follows the controller, you've almost nailed it down. Then try the controller in a different area, unaffected by the possible rfi.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

I thought maybe the circuit could be overloaded but it's not even close. Grounding is most likely fine if you haven't changed anything.

I'd remove the controller and run a manual timer for a few days and see if the problem persists. If you have a problem again with a manual timer it could be the ballast. By removing one variable it will be easier to narrow down.

SOlid state electronics like your sentinel can be more sensitive to issues with electricity and outages then manual equipment. I always prefer manual timers.

I dont think its the GFCI either because when they trip they trip, and the receptacle needs to be manually reset.

 

[Applesauce]

I've been a week or so on the manual timer and all seems good. The problem is this could have been going on for months, as it doesn't happen a lot. This makes it difficult to witness. I hear the sentinel "click" when it does.