Growlush ballast causes RF Interference to AM Radio stations!

[stephen_dank]

I've been running my grow tent for about 4 weeks now, 18-6 light cycle. I get home from work last Friday and my neighbour starts asking me if i've been having trouble tuning into AM radio stations in the last 3-4 weeks... Obviously I put 2 and 2 together pretty quickly and realised it must be something to do with the grow room...

 

After a bit of trouble shooting, and online research (this forum and google) I came to the realisation that my ballast was giving off a shit load of interference that was blocking out all AM radio station signals within the vicinity. I tried a radio approx. 25m from the grow room and was still unable to tune into any stations, just static... This obviously is a massive stealth issue and had to be resolved.. I went to my local hydro shop the next day and bought a new ballast and BOOM! Problem solved.. even within 1-2m from the tent, all AM radio stations tune fine

 

I originally bought (rookie error) a 1000W Digital Growlush Dimmable Ballast for $250.00 off ebay...

http://www.aussieponics.com/ozponics/newimage/ballast/eb10001.jpg

 

I replaced it with a Solis Tek Matrix (With Remote) $395.00: So far so good, no interference, no external fans, ballast operates a lot quieter which is also a plus!

 

http://hydrobuilder.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/a/matrix.jpeg

 

Conclusion:

DONT BUY GROWLUSH BALLASTS UNLESS YOU PLAN TO GROWN IN A SHIPPING CONTAINER IN THE MIDDLE OF A PADDOCK!!

Yes, they're cheap, but to me one of the biggest things about growing is rstealth.... RF Interference to neighbours radio's is a Deeeeeead Giiiivaway.!

Goes to show I suppose, you get what you pay for!

 

Hope this info helps fellow growers!

 

 

[iTiC]

Been using Lumatek without any issues, Cheers for the info, defn worht checkiing next time I buy a new Ballast

[cap'n yNg]

Yaaarghhh. great pick up Steve.

Which power setting were you using at the time?

 

Cap'n yNg

[Dingo-2008]

Hi Danky,

 

 Don't buy any electrical Growlush gear because it is all top grade  {CRAP}  99.99% of Growlush gear is  {CRAP}.

 

   Regard's Dingo-2008.

[pegz]

Growlush lamps are cheap too, stay away.

[stephen_dank]

Yaaarghhh. great pick up Steve.

Which power setting were you using at the time?

 

Cap'n yNg

 

Capt, I was using 50% power setting at the time

[Faith]

 

Hiya SD, what do the 1000's dim down to if you don't mind me asking. 

 

I had my on on a 600W Solistek for a little later this year but would would like the option of taking down wattage to at  least 400W max, depending on price of course.  I've already had a look at them its just I'm too idle to go check and I've had one of my brainstorms

yeop growlush is Suss

 

faith

Edited June 26, 2014 by Faith

[nici]

Not sure about the whole dimming thing and the effects on the bulbs being used.  To me if you use a 1000W lamp it should be run at 1000W, not 600...

 

Just my 2 bob

[Minzone]

Not sure about the whole dimming thing and the effects on the bulbs being used. To me if you use a 1000W lamp it should be run at 1000W, not 600...

 

Just my 2 bob

I done a fair bit of googling on this a while ago because that's what I thought.

 

Seems an overwhelming amount of people of vendors advised not to use any bulb other then the rating of the unit regardless of what dimming setting.

 

So if you want to run 400w with a 1000w ballast dimmed use a 1000w globe not 400w.

 

I would love to show some links but didn't save them.