Very noisy Ballast - help

[fishburgr]

Good afternoon people,

 

I have a problem I'm hoping someone can help me with.

 

I've just bought a 400w HPS lighting kit, its just the ballast, reflector and bulb. Ive never had one before so I'm not sure how exactly theyre supposed to operate, this one however is VERY VERY noisy.

 

When I plug it in and turn it on theres a buzzing noise coming from the ballast that is loud enough to be heard 3 rooms away. Surely this isn't normal? And if it is normal how do people deal with this problem in stealth grows?

 

Am I doing something wrong? Have I possibly hooked it up wrong? There were no instructions but I dont see how I possibly could have hooked it up wrong.

 

I bought a cheap kit for $100 off aussieponics so is this just what I have to put up with or buy a different ballast?

 

Looking forward to any suggestion,

 

Clif

 

edit - So I just went and had another play with it and it seems it must just be becasue its cheap as its just the outside casing buzzing from vibrations. If I put a bit of pressure on one side of the case it becomes virtually silent in comparison. So is it okay to use the ballast with it on its side? Or does it need to be kept upright?

 

Thanks again

Edited March 9, 2012 by fishburgr

[bluntman_77]

send it back

 

noisy transformers is relatively common in electrical equipment like amplifiers , voltage converters . inside the unit the transformer might be loose , or there might be something contacting between it and the case .

 

be careful if you open it , there are some serious voltages inside . disconnect everything and be try not to touch any capacitors (they look similar to battery cells) incase they have a residual charge . if your not sure don't do it just send it back.

[fishburgr]

So its not safe to lay it on its side when using it? Because when I do this the noise goes away and I just hear what I assume is the normal hum of the unit..

 

thankyou

[merl1n]

send it back

 

be careful if you open it , there are some serious voltages inside . disconnect everything and be try not to touch any capacitors (they look similar to battery cells) incase they have a residual charge . if your not sure don't do it just send it back.

 

DO NOT OPEN IT UP.

I agree with Blunt on the 'serious voltages' but do not open it up. Opening it will void any warranty as they can turn around and say it was your fault and not the equipment.

Best advice "Send it back"

DO NOT TRY TO FIX IT YOURSELF. Take this from somebody who has tried to repair a ballast, DONT EVEN BOTHER. You replace one part then another shits itself. Send it back.

 

 

So its not safe to lay it on its side when using it? Because when I do this the noise goes away and I just hear what I assume is the normal hum of the unit..

 

thankyou

Some ballasts have vents along the sides to allow air movement. Don't be covering them up as things do get pretty hot.

My ballasts hum on initial start up then very little noise at all as they warm up.

If you're not happy with the product you have purchased, return it.

Again as blunt said it sounds like a loose component if moving its position eliminates the vibration. But still, Return it, don't be a handyman.

 

Merl1n

Edited March 9, 2012 by merl1n

[STONEDAJ69]

I second that motion.

[fishburgr]

Ok, thanks guys. I was trying to resist sending it back so I could get stuck into things, but I'd be a fool to ask for advice and not take it when its unanimous.

 

Maybe I'll upgrade to a better model or something.

 

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

 

[the.weed.fisherman]

I've had a lot of ballasts

It might sound far fetched, but....

I've had a few ballasts make that same noise in the past....

I just gave the ballasts a nice sharp knock with my knuckles,

directly on top of the ballast. not on any angles, just directly down.

It used to literally stop the buzzing within the first couple of knocks.

Fuck knows what it was though, if you can't return the item, give it a whirl.

I did, that was my circumstance too, couldn't return the item.

 

 

the.weed.fisherman

Edited March 9, 2012 by the.weed.fisherman

[Cerberus]

I saw the Fonz do that a few times Fishy. It worked on our old washing machine too

[bluntman_77]

the fonz was always smoking good shit

[fishburgr]

haha yeah it does actually kind of work too. It will stop for a while when tapped but then start again unless constant light pressure is kept on its side.