MH humming; normal?

kabboord · #1 03/14/2005, 09:01 PM

I just got a new pulse start dual 400 watt PFO ballast. It is making a noticable mild humming. Is this normal? can it be quieted? As a light it is operating normally.

Thanks

DtheDude · #2 03/14/2005, 10:09 PM

my light makes a slight humm but nothing annoying enough to be quieted...

mfinn · #3 03/14/2005, 10:53 PM

I have some 175 watt 20k XM's that make a humming/buzzing noise that comes and goes. It can be very irratating.

TroyPierce · #4 03/14/2005, 10:57 PM

Hum on a magnetic ballast is normal. It's caused by the magnetic field interacting with the metal case. If you can take the case off, put some kind of spacer between the case and the transformer. That should quiet it.

If it's not too offensive, just leave it be. You COULD make it worse by messing with it.

DtheDude · #5 03/15/2005, 12:28 AM

On another note, an old sunlight supply ballast of mine would do the same on and off thing. The vibration noise would get really, really loud, until you could probably hear it from outside the apartment. I had my local dealer send it back to them and I got a new one...

So if you light is any louder than a slight humm, like the sound of a computer buzzing or maybe a little louder, then I would have someone take a look at it.

mfinn · #6 03/15/2005, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TroyPierce
Hum on a magnetic ballast is normal. It's caused by the magnetic field interacting with the metal case. If you can take the case off, put some kind of spacer between the case and the transformer. That should quiet it.

I have IceCap electronic ballasts.

Entropy · #7 03/15/2005, 06:46 PM

I just noticed my PFO's are starting to hum a little bit as well (about three years old). I think heat might make them buzz a bit more, but that is just a guess.

I know the magnetic flourescent ballasts here at work buzz like crazy after a few years, so age probably has something to do with as well, but not in your case since the ballast is new.