Sometimes a good buzz is not a good thing

[bass ackwards]

I haven't run a grow for almost a year and now I am getting ready to start up again. I will start going over my ballasts this week looking for one ballast in particular that was starting to Buzz,louder than the others. Can anybory tell me what this is a sign of? Could it be just loose wiring or is it a sign that the transformer is going bad? I will take it in to a shop and have it repaired but I would like to know in advance what the problem is, so I can sound somewhat knowledgeable when I try to explain the problem.

Respect bass

 

[sparkjumper]

Ballasts hum because they don't know the words.Some ballasts hum louder to drown out their counterparts,it's an ego thing.Seriously lol its not abnormal at all for ballasts to become a tad noisy after some use.It's more of an annoyance issue than a safety or quality issue.Make sure sure its actually ballast hum and not a loosely mounted ballast creating the noise

 

[bass ackwards]

Sparkjumper, I never thought of that, how stupid of me, of course your right, all I had to do was consider my own experiences I hum when I don't know the words also.
Any other hummers out there who want to respond?

Respect bass

 

[sparkjumper]

I wanted to be a comedian when I grew up,but I got my journeyman elec license instead.Commercial wiring isn't funny..Just saying bro I was joking but I was serious about a buzzing transformer.I had years and years of HID experience before I ever heard of indoor growing and have heard the siren song of the underground parking lot far too many times.The song is called "I'm a ballast and I don't know the words".

 

[bass ackwards]

Please don't misunderstand me, I wasn't criticizing you I thought it was truly funny. Good to hear that I don't have a problem.
Isn't there anything I can do to reduce the sound though, I have twelve of these, what a chorus when they all sing out.

 

[sparkjumper]

You thought I was funny!!?Thats more rewarding than rewiring my wifes favorite vibrator!Except for checking its mounted securely or totally remounting in a baffled container I dont know what you can do really.My whole point though is that in itself isnt a reason to replace them unless its really driving you nuts.Maybe someone less funny with noise reduction experience can be more helpful.You damn well know they're going to be less funny...

 

[JQP]

I generally find the buzz is because it's not anchored real tight. I don't mean just securely, I mean tight. I bet it's loosened up over time and needs re-tightening. I only suggest this because that has been my experience.

By the way, everyone in my family can play an instrument except me, but I CAN play a radio...

Good luck

JQ

 

[sparkjumper]

Are they buzzing or humming?This is critical.The first is mechanical while the latter is mental.

 

[Strainbrain]

Ballasts hum because they don't know the words.

Gold.


-s

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Could it be just loose wiring or is it a sign that the transformer is going bad?

Definitely check to make sure everything in there is still securely bolted down. If the vibration seems to be coming from the magnetic coil part, it's normal.

The coil of a magnetic ballast is simply a winding of copper wire around a stack of metal plates. As the ballast is used and ages, the binding agent can work loose and the plates shift back and forth, ever so slightly. Since they do it at 50Hz-60Hz (the cycle your house current is at)it can get pretty loud.

I've heard stories of people drilling holes through the plates and bolting them together but I don't know what that does to the magnetic field it's producing.

They can get pretty loud and still operate just fine. I'd definitely get it replaced when it gets too bad though as it tends to vibrate shit loose that way.

 

[bass ackwards]

Good to hear guys, that is one less worry(expense) for me and that is a good thing. I've got enough places to spend my money and time without worrying about these ballasts. Thanks again.

Respect bass
P.S. sparkjumper, have you ever thought of stopping by a local comedy club, you'd probably do better than most I've seen. Keep it up my friend.

 

[bass ackwards]

Hydro-Soil,Thanks, I will be taking every one of them apart for cleaning and inspection since it has been some time since I used them. Now I have some idea of what to look for. That helps.
sparkjumper, Buzzing or Humming, good point but the distinction is beyond me. If only I had a joint to smoke I'm sure I could figure it out. Or at least have an answer for you. Sorry man, please forgive me.

Many thanks guys bass

 

[bass ackwards]

JQP,Sorry I didn't mean to slight you,I just forgot about you, my bad, Thanks for that and I will be checking everything for tightness. Sparkjumper has gotten me so confused I don't know if I can cope.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Ballasts hum because they don't know the words.

LOL. How'd we miss this? It's so obvious now. D'oh!

I'd open it up and tighten everything and see what happens. That or beat the words into it.

 

[bass ackwards]

FreezerBoy,Thats the plan,your absolutely right, open each one up and tighten everything up ,beat the words into them and then close them up. Works for me. Thanks for that
sparkjumper,Please feel free to post in any thread of mine.I would be honored to play the Stan Laurel to your Oliver Hardy,(no offense but I felt I had to include last names).

Respect bass