All of you new growers looking into going HID, BE WARNED of digital ballasts!

TheSnake

TheSnake

Well-Known Member
Using a digital can appeal to the power savings, less noise, ability to dim, smaller box, and cooler running temps... BUT be warned, you might be broadcasting radio signals to the world, from your grow rooms! This can cause attention from your respective cable company, even the FCC! Your single digital ballast can be fucking with a lot more than what is seen, or heard. It could be causing interference even if you don't notice much AT YOUR house, it could be jamming up your neighbors stuff, and you may never know until the cable company is standing on your door step, cutting off your internet and saying you have major disturbance that has been tracked right to you!

Even if your growing fruit or something, with your digital, this RF interference will cause you a headache like no other.
Don't believe me? Google "RF interference digital ballast", read the countless posts of people going through problems.

I tell you this, because I wish i was warned before I bought digital shit, and had it happen to me, in a non-legal state. (well really they are all still non-legal, lol)

After testing, so far CFL's are safe. Unless you have thousands of them or something?
I BELIEVE a magnetic ballast will not cause any of these sort of issues, although if someone wants to chime in and give the thumbs up with experience 100% feel free.

Anyway's, I'm kinda repeating what I've been talking about in 2 other threads, Just figure the new guys should REALLY REALLY know about this before they start dropping major coin on an instant headache. Just lookin out.
 
ImSoCuteAndDying5150

ImSoCuteAndDying5150

Member
Thank you for dropping the knowledge it makes perfect sense of the interferences being caused by this machine and other digital ballasts mad props to your crops
 
TheSnake

TheSnake

Well-Known Member
grorite said:
no need to worry if your not buying the cheapest junk gear you can find.
Click to expand...
Even with top dollar unit's, people continuously have issues. As far as I have read, The companies making the ballasts just don't give a shit, and are saying "well... fuck the FCC" lol. But no matter to them, they are not the ones operating the units... we are.
 
tekdc911

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
i would be more worried about a capacitor motor inline fan they mess with rf aswell
not many ways to shield them
 
tekdc911

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
but would you use it on the ballast ?
you could easily just wrap the case in lead a thin sheet and leave 2 vent holes
 
tekdc911

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
theres no land line cable or internet in my area only satellite so im not that worried about it but the headaches havent experienced any but am tempted to do the lead wrap now
maybe my old lady will give up the poon more with out the head ache excuse
 
SxIstew

SxIstew

Well-Known Member
I'd paint the ballast with it. I don't think it's meant for residential anyway. I'm pretty sure it's for companies with large networks to prevent hacking. but it blocks cell phone signals and all radio waves.
 
tekdc911

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
SxIstew said:
it has something to do with a sale on 3 gallon mop buckets for $1. lol
Click to expand...
what he said
i made the comment trolling a dude talking shit about auto's but he was growing in a party cup sized pot
and was like look there not worth it thats all the room i will give them
like most people half kill their plant and then blame it on the ruderalis genetics when they get a shit end product
 
BeefSupreme

BeefSupreme

Active Member
TheSnake said:
Using a digital can appeal to the power savings, less noise, ability to dim, smaller box, and cooler running temps... BUT be warned, you might be broadcasting radio signals to the world, from your grow rooms! This can cause attention from your respective cable company, even the FCC! Your single digital ballast can be fucking with a lot more than what is seen, or heard. It could be causing interference even if you don't notice much AT YOUR house, it could be jamming up your neighbors stuff, and you may never know until the cable company is standing on your door step, cutting off your internet and saying you have major disturbance that has been tracked right to you!

Even if your growing fruit or something, with your digital, this RF interference will cause you a headache like no other.
Don't believe me? Google "RF interference digital ballast", read the countless posts of people going through problems.

I tell you this, because I wish i was warned before I bought digital shit, and had it happen to me, in a non-legal state. (well really they are all still non-legal, lol)

After testing, so far CFL's are safe. Unless you have thousands of them or something?
I BELIEVE a magnetic ballast will not cause any of these sort of issues, although if someone wants to chime in and give the thumbs up with experience 100% feel free.

Anyway's, I'm kinda repeating what I've been talking about in 2 other threads, Just figure the new guys should REALLY REALLY know about this before they start dropping major coin on an instant headache. Just lookin out.
Click to expand...
CFL's are safe until they break and release enough mercury to create a HAZMAT situation. I wont be buying CFLs again because of this. Interesting info on the ballast though, thanks!
 
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