Ipower ballasts causing interference??

johndoe12345678

johndoe12345678

Well-Known Member
I just set up a couple of the I power ballasts about a week ago. Spectrum internet came by and left a note saying they needed to come inside to repair something and to call them and schedule it. I understand ballasts can cause interference and there are ways to minimize it shielded cords and faraday. Im going to go buy a portable AM radio and see how far the interference is traveling. That all being said has anyone had any experience with spectrum and I power ballasts causing RF interference? I assume since the tech came by and the reason for the visit was to get inside and repair something that my ballasts are causing problems for my neighbors. I called spectrum they had no idea why tech came by or why he would leave a note saying he needed to get inside, and that the only thing they would think is cause of signal leak. Has anyone had experience with spectrum and causing interference?
 

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johndoe12345678

johndoe12345678

Well-Known Member
I talked to Spectrum tech they told me I had RF ingress. I told him i was running a cheap ballast he figured it was something else cause my ballast shouldnt be causing interference because I have plenty of distance between cable box and ballast. He said the tech that left note on my door put a attenuator on my line instead of just disconnecting me like they normally do, i tried using radio on 560am to detect any RF interference but didnt hear any change on station when i turned on ballasts. I ended up buying some used Solistek V2.0 1000wat ballasts hopefully that will remedy the problem till i get my new ballasts with RF firite blockers. For a temporary fix I wrapped ballasts and cords with tinfoil. Tech told me every night they do a audit to check for RF ingress he also said after they put in attenuator as far as he can see no one has been complaining about slow wifi or anything in my area. Im scheduled for tomorrow to have them come by, im gonna run a few different ballasts and see if tech can tell me which ones are causing interefence or not.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
johndoe12345678 said:
I talked to Spectrum tech they told me I had RF ingress. I told him i was running a cheap ballast he figured it was something else cause my ballast shouldnt be causing interference because I have plenty of distance between cable box and ballast. He said the tech that left note on my door put a attenuator on my line instead of just disconnecting me like they normally do, i tried using radio on 560am to detect any RF interference but didnt hear any change on station when i turned on ballasts. I ended up buying some used Solistek V2.0 1000wat ballasts hopefully that will remedy the problem till i get my new ballasts with RF firite blockers. For a temporary fix I wrapped ballasts and cords with tinfoil. Tech told me every night they do a audit to check for RF ingress he also said after they put in attenuator as far as he can see no one has been complaining about slow wifi or anything in my area. Im scheduled for tomorrow to have them come by, im gonna run a few different ballasts and see if tech can tell me which ones are causing interefence or not.
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The ipower ballasts are known to produce RF interference so you are on the right track replacing them but the Solis Tek ballasts produce the RF interference as well according to what I have read. The Phantom Commercial DE HPS ballasts and Gavita ballasts are good to go as far as I know. Look for the ballast to have internal RF shielding and FCC compliance.
 
U

ubluntu

Active Member
I've notice some digital electronics if you point an IR gun at them they will either show crazy high temps, or "error". This could be another way to check for leak. Had a cheapo that showed error anywhere pointed including the bulb. Lasted a day before dying. the replacement of the same brand only does it when placed right close in a certain spot. Could indicate loose wiring as well (which there was alot of near in/outputs.
 
OneHitDone

OneHitDone

Well-Known Member
johndoe12345678 said:
I talked to Spectrum tech they told me I had RF ingress. I told him i was running a cheap ballast he figured it was something else cause my ballast shouldnt be causing interference because I have plenty of distance between cable box and ballast. He said the tech that left note on my door put a attenuator on my line instead of just disconnecting me like they normally do, i tried using radio on 560am to detect any RF interference but didnt hear any change on station when i turned on ballasts. I ended up buying some used Solistek V2.0 1000wat ballasts hopefully that will remedy the problem till i get my new ballasts with RF firite blockers. For a temporary fix I wrapped ballasts and cords with tinfoil. Tech told me every night they do a audit to check for RF ingress he also said after they put in attenuator as far as he can see no one has been complaining about slow wifi or anything in my area. Im scheduled for tomorrow to have them come by, im gonna run a few different ballasts and see if tech can tell me which ones are causing interefence or not.
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Been through the same thing and being in a legal situation and home when Spectrum came looking for issue I was able to have the tech do the checks while I switched electronic ballasts off.
Ballasts weren't the problem. Came down to a tiny kink in the insulation / sleeve of the RG6. They can pinpoint that accurately with the equipment they have.
Hopefully they got you all taken care of :peace:
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
OneHitDone said:
Been through the same thing and being in a legal situation and home when Spectrum came looking for issue I was able to have the tech do the checks while I switched electronic ballasts off.
Ballasts weren't the problem. Came down to a tiny kink in the insulation / sleeve of the RG6. They can pinpoint that accurately with the equipment they have.
Hopefully they got you all taken care of :peace:
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I think that has a lot to do with proximity of the ballast to the cable equipment.
 
U

ubluntu

Active Member
Renfro said:
I think that has a lot to do with proximity of the ballast to the cable equipment.
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I've had one plugged in the same circuit as my cable signal amplifier thingy for a couple days now. I'll update if anything..

Coiling excess cables was mentioned in another thread I think. Can anyone confirm if that's safe or true?
 
.Smoke

.Smoke

Well-Known Member
For 10 years I was an Electronic Warfare Systems Journeyman in the Air Force. (Look it up).
Imho, unless there are a multitude of things wrong (wonky ballast, broken shielding on cable lines, etc etc.) I really would need to see a report showing that these ballast are causing the interference.
Manipulating RF isn't the easiest thing to have happened by accident.

Just my 2 cents.
If there is an issue, I would check all your tv cabling first to ensure your shielding is intact.
 
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