T5 retrofit question...

[ShelbyJK500]

Hey all,

Well, I finally got an additional ballast to replace an inop unit from when I purchased. Thanks for a smooth transaction Hoosier Daddy!! Got it all up and running tonight BUT...I have a strange buzzing sound coming from one of the ballasts when both are running. I narrowed it down to this by leaving one on and turning the other one off. I did this switching between both multiple times. The buzzing only starts when BOTH are running at the same time. Is it possible that mounting them fairly close together would cause this issue. Pics below to see what I'm talking about. Stumped...

Oh...and just curious, I got some used bulbs with an unknown amount of hours on them. I'm assuming the bulbs with the dark areas in the middle are shot??

 

[Zooid]

Are you sure everything is hooked up properly?
The buzzing sound and the dim spots in the middle of the bulbs may be related.
Check all the wiring and make sure it is wired properly.

I just have a feeling that you may have some crossed wires. I could be wrong but it's worth a check.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Are you sure everything is hooked up properly?
The buzzing sound and the dim spots in the middle of the bulbs may be related.
Check all the wiring and make sure it is wired properly.

I just have a feeling that you may have some crossed wires. I could be wrong but it's worth a check.

Thanks for the feedback!! Man do I need it Yes, the wiring is all done correctly. I have about 15 bulbs and these just appear to be way past their prime. I tried many bulbs and combinations. Everything is working correctly. It was just odd when I heard that after I got everything buttoned up (end caps sealed up, etc). What is strange is when each ballast is operating without the other one on, there is no sound...until they are BOTH running concurrently. Craziness...

 

[Zooid]

Try putting some aluminum foil in between the ballasts and ground the foil.....maybe it's electromagnetic interference between the ballasts.
The grounded foil may block some of the radiation and keep it from interfering with the other ballast. Again I'm just guessing hehe.

 

[gh0st]

If all else fails, try running some aquarium equipment on different power circuits.
Sometimes if you get enough live wire you can start picking up interference from cooling fans, pumps, etc.

Could be that when the second ballast kicks on you hit critical mass on that circuit.

Does it sound like speaker hum?

 

[ShelbyJK500]

If all else fails, try running some aquarium equipment on different power circuits.
Sometimes if you get enough live wire you can start picking up interference from cooling fans, pumps, etc.

Could be that when the second ballast kicks on you hit critical mass on that circuit.

Does it sound like speaker hum?

Yes it sound loud like a speaker hum. Not the very slight buzz only heard up very close with a ballast. Audible from the other side of the room, sounds like something is frying inside. There is NOTHING else running on this circuit. I've tried it with both plugged in to a normal wall socket and also many times with a surge protector outlet, with only those two power outputs plugged in?!? Damndest thing!

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Try putting some aluminum foil in between the ballasts and ground the foil.....maybe it's electromagnetic interference between the ballasts.
The grounded foil may block some of the radiation and keep it from interfering with the other ballast. Again I'm just guessing hehe.

Maybe I'll put some a foil cap over my head and it will drown out the buzz AND the voices!! Seriously though, I just really don't want to mess with extending the wires to mount the second ballast further away. Especially since I don't know that will cure the issue.

 

[Zooid]

Putting a foil shield between the two ballasts may eliminate the problem. Don't move the ballasts, just try the experiment.
If it works, it'll lengthen the life of both ballasts.

Then again, it may accomplish nothing other than making an antenna over your fishtank hehe.