How To Reduce Radio Frequency Interference

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
Ok. So my ballast has been putting off quite a bit of rfi. Does anyone know of any cost effective ways to eliminate this noise? BTW there's a product (and maybe a couple of others) that's sold by 1000 bulbs and growers house called nanolux rf filter set. ( can't seem to post a link). Is anyone familiar with this product? Is it effective? or any other product that will help? Thanks...
 

bluerock

Active Member
First off, most modern ballasts - excepting Chinese cheapies - are RFI reduced at the ballast. Such ballasts will have an FCC sticker or emblem either on the ballast or the documentation. If your ballast doesn't meet this standard, you are out of luck on reduction tactics.

If the ballast itself is RFI protected, you are still facing the problem of the lamp cord. AFAIK, the ONLY way to eliminate RFI is basically to eliminate the lamp cord...or minimize the length as much as is possible. I am not sure if the various filters on offer are effective. There has also been some blah blah about shielded lamp cords from the ballast manufacturers. If you find one, post the info.
 

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
First off, most modern ballasts - excepting Chinese cheapies - are RFI reduced at the ballast. Such ballasts will have an FCC sticker or emblem either on the ballast or the documentation. If your ballast doesn't meet this standard, you are out of luck on reduction tactics.

If the ballast itself is RFI protected, you are still facing the problem of the lamp cord. AFAIK, the ONLY way to eliminate RFI is basically to eliminate the lamp cord...or minimize the length as much as is possible. I am not sure if the various filters on offer are effective. There has also been some blah blah about shielded lamp cords from the ballast manufacturers. If you find one, post the info.
I have the quantum 1000 watt ballast. Pretty sure it Chinese. But I tested it and my am radio stations go out as soon as I turn the corner of my street. I live a few houses from the corner. I don't have cable but within 10 days of firing up my ballast time warner was out for a few days straight working on a pole next door to my house. May be forced to buy magnetic ballasts.
 

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
https://www.google.com/search?q=High Frequency Shielding Paint&client=ms-android-sprint-us&hl=en-US&biw=360&bih=525&tbm=shop&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=48xKVcCgHpbYoASjoYEQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&dpr=4#spd=3675252797046453971


Here you go bud. Carefull not to paint in-between wifi/wireless signals. I find it to be highly effective if you paint the room your ballast is housed in or make a cover for your ballast and paint the inside walls.
I'll read the thread in a minute.
 

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
I
The Nanolux clip on filters work well if you use them on both sides of the ballast. Also, do you have any unused cable lines in your house? They are antenna for rfi.[/QUOTE
I think I'll try one of these before I change out all my equipment. Secondly I have 3 rooms with cable hookups. A fourth but its not connected to anything. Just open and unconnected. I've heard about unused cable cords. Can you explain more. Will the rfi filter work with this problem or will I have to buy another TV to fill the extra cable cord?
 

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
They are not threads. They are both direct links to the same product. Rfi blocking paint.
Seems like a pretty good product. Ill probably have to build some type of wooden box paint walls inside and place ballast inside. Seems like a quick, cheap fix. Ok now to decide between this and one of the filter reducer sets. Thanks a million guys
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
Seems like a pretty good product. Ill probably have to build some type of wooden box paint walls inside and place ballast inside. Seems like a quick, cheap fix. Ok now to decide between this and one of the filter reducer sets. Thanks a million guys
Don't box in a ballast, it's gonna get very hot and is a fire risk. Build a copper wire "cage" around the ballast and ground that to a ground not used by your house. That's what a fairday cage is.
 

bluerock

Active Member
I have the quantum 1000 watt ballast. Pretty sure it Chinese. But I tested it and my am radio stations go out as soon as I turn the corner of my street. I live a few houses from the corner. I don't have cable but within 10 days of firing up my ballast time warner was out for a few days straight working on a pole next door to my house. May be forced to buy magnetic ballasts.
Wow, you have a serious problem. I am skeptical about both the "gimmicks" and the painful implementation of same that likely won't do shit. Go magnetic or a DE unit that has the ballast connected directly to the reflector. DE rocks, but you must have the ceiling clearance/climate control to do it. Otherwise, SE magnetic will get the job done just fine. You only sacrifice some efficiency. And a bit of yield.
 
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