Help with RF from HID lights please?

Hello everyone. I joined this site to post this question, because I feel it will be best answered here. And I'd like to hear people's opinion on it. Also I plan on staying after my question is answered anyways :)

I started with CFL's, then when I got my precious 400w HPS with a dimmable digital ballast I thought this is the first "real" step for better quality.

Ran it for a few days, noticed my cable on my TV was flickering and wouldn't pick up well. I also had problems with my internet while it was on. One day I come home and see there has been cut wire on my front yard. Apparently someone from the cable company installed a "splitter" under my house without even letting me know.

The issue was still there. I didn't think of the RF until after I had talked to the cable company and they are sending ANOTHER person out to look at it. I had to scurry like crazy to get things presentable for a stranger. Not that I don't try to keep it as stealth as possible, I can always improve. When the cable man was here it popped into my head, "I've had these issues since the HPS." So I turned the ballast off and he said the problem WAS the "splitter" and he had removed it.

This was at least 4 years ago. Have been using LEDs, but I would like a shot at HPS, especially for flowering. I've noticed some come with "internal RF blocker." Would a 150W single system cause RF that disturbs things? Or are there really HPS lights that come with RF blockers?

Any and all input would be much appreciated. Much love and thanks.

**I also posted this in grow room designs and set ups, not sure where this thread should go**
 
Hello everyone. I joined this site to post this question, because I feel it will be best answered here. And I'd like to hear people's opinion on it. Also I plan on staying after my question is answered anyways :)

I started with CFL's, then when I got my precious 400w HPS with a dimmable digital ballast I thought this is the first "real" step for better quality.

Ran it for a few days, noticed my cable on my TV was flickering and wouldn't pick up well. I also had problems with my internet while it was on. One day I come home and see there has been cut wire on my front yard. Apparently someone from the cable company installed a "splitter" under my house without even letting me know.

The issue was still there. I didn't think of the RF until after I had talked to the cable company and they are sending ANOTHER person out to look at it. I had to scurry like crazy to get things presentable for a stranger. Not that I don't try to keep it as stealth as possible, I can always improve. When the cable man was here it popped into my head, "I've had these issues since the HPS." So I turned the ballast off and he said the problem WAS the "splitter" and he had removed it.

This was at least 4 years ago. Have been using LEDs, but I would like a shot at HPS, especially for flowering. I've noticed some come with "internal RF blocker." Would a 150W single system cause RF that disturbs things? Or are there really HPS lights that come with RF blockers?

Any and all input would be much appreciated. Much love and thanks.

**I also posted this in grow room designs and set ups, not sure where this thread should go**
https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blo...erate-the-ballast-for-hid-growing-lamps-n1064

“They also found that some models are more shielded than others, and that a common nickel-copper RF shielding can effectively contain radio frequency emissions from a grow light ballast.”

We have dealt with RFI from fluorescent fixtures and HID ballasts with guitars and amplifiers. Build a shield box. You can buy the shielding products on eBay among other sources. If there’s a radio operator near you I would advise shielding. You are breaking federal communications laws by allowing interference. Other complaints from nearby neighbors trying to use a WiFi router will also bring the tech guys out.
 
Just get a magnetic ballast if you feel you might have to deal with rf.Sure they're the dinosaurs of the game but they're cheap and reliable.
 
Most of the newer ballasts are pretty well shielded. The problem is the cord from the ballast to the bulb, it can act like an antenna. Replacing that cord with a proper gauge shielded cable worked for me back in the old days when Lumatek first came out with a digital ballast (the old silver ones). The shield should be connected to ground.

One can always run an old school magnetic ballast.
 
Thanks for all the help and input guys! Very much appreciated. Magnetic ballast it is then lol. People wonder why I would rather use HPS than LED. I'm sure both have their own arguments. I've been using LED most of my time and I've never done a run with an HPS which I loved the way it shined on them.

Could I get some last bit of help, a link to a good ballast and light? Would the one be safe from HTG?

"HTG Supply 400 Watt HPS Grow Light"

OR

Would a 150W enclosed piece make much RF? Sorry I'm a bit paranoid.



Thanks guys, really goes a long way. I love learning and trying new things.

I'm eager to be all set:bigjoint:
 
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Well the only magnetic ballast HPS I see on their site is a 1000 watter.

LINK REMOVED

They have a few 400 watt HPS ballast kits, thats just the transformer, capacitor and ignitor, no housing or power cord.
Wow, I am totally clueless when it comes to this. I've only used the all in one system with the digital ballast. You guys are literally saving me.

Anyone know of one that IS magnetic and around 150-400w?
 
I ended up ordering
HTG Supply 400-Watt High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Complete Grow Light, Bulb Included from Amazon.
I'm hoping this is a magnetic ballast. It didn't state it was, but if it's on the ground and big I'm assuming it's magnetic and not digital. It just didn't specify what type it was.

  • Electrical: 400 watts, approx. 3.33 amps @ 120v ; ballast features built-in 10' power cord with standard-household grounded plug (NEMA 5-15) and built-in 10' socket-to-ballast cord with mogul-base socket
  • Innovative open-air remote ballast design ; ballast handle features key holes for easy wall mounting
 
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