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Re: [RFI] Galaxy Grow Light Ballast Update

To: "Hare, Ed W1RFI" <w1rfi@arrl.org>, "rfi@contesting.com" <rfi@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Galaxy Grow Light Ballast Update
From: Dave Cole <dave@nk7z.net>
Reply-to: dave@nk7z.net
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:51:21 -0800
List-post: <rfi@contesting.com">mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
It will be very interesting to see the results of your tests Ed...  You
guys do good work, thanks for your efforts in all of this...
-- 
73's, and thanks,
Dave

For software/hardware reviews see:
http://www.nk7z.net

For MixW support see:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info

For SSTV help see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info



On Mon, 2016-02-01 at 17:08 +0000, Hare, Ed  W1RFI wrote:
> I have seen filters for both the load and lamp side, so you may need
> to try both.  I had thought it was on the Hydrofarm site, but I don't
> see the load and lamp filters listed.  I think I ordered some, so I
> will see when they come in.
> 
> If I can get both load and lamp filters, the ARRL Lab would love to
> have someone install both filters and report on the results. If you
> have a cooperative neighbor, let me know and we will buy a couple of
> filters and let you try them.
> 
> I'd also like reports on any model numbers, sources, etc., of
> products that cause bad interference. This post described a model
> that seems to be pretty clean, and that's very helpful, too.
> 
> 
> 73, Ed Hare, W1RFI
> ARRL Laboratory Manager
> 225 Main St.
> Newington, CT 06111
> Tel: (860) 594-0318
> Fax: (860) 594-0259
> Email: W1RFI@arrl.org
> Member: IEEE Connecticut Section
> Member: IEEE EMC Society, Board of Directors
> Member: IEEE EMC Society Standards Development and Education
> Committee
> Member: University of Hartford Industry Advisory Committee
> Primary representative:  ANSI ASC C63 EMC Committee, Vice Chair
> Subcommittee 5 (Immunity)
> Member: QRP Amateur Radio Club International, Board of Directors
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dave Cole
> Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 8:09 AM
> To: rfi@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [RFI] Galaxy Grow Light Ballast Update
> 
> Larry,
> Thank you so much for this information.  I will suggest our local
> grow suppliers use these lights...
> --
> 73's, and thanks,
> Dave
> 
> For software/hardware reviews see:
> http://www.nk7z.net
> 
> For MixW support see:
> https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
> 
> For SSTV help see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, 2016-02-01 at 06:46 -0600, Larry Burke wrote:
> > W0IVJ's recent post to this reflector coincidently provided links
> > to 
> > products I was in the process of installing here. I promised an
> > update 
> > after I had a chance to try these products in the field.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Several weeks ago the neighbors across the street, who are about
> > 750 
> > feet from most of my antennas, installed a 1000 watt HPS grow light
> > in 
> > their greenhouse. This thing fired up about an hour before my
> > sunrise 
> > and shut down about an hour after my sunset. It tore up 160, 80 and
> > 60 
> > meters.
> > As it
> > warmed up you could watch a wide band of S9 noise travel across
> > the 
> > spectrum scope trying to decide on the multiple places it wanted
> > to 
> > land for the day.
> > The ballast was a no-name import designed by Satan himself.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > I had heard good things about the "Revolution Ballast EMI Filter"
> > available
> > from Hydrofarm so I elected to try that first. I didn't want the 
> > increased liability of installing a homebrew filter on someone
> > else's 
> > property, so a commercially available filter looked like a great 
> > option. The filter attaches to the lamp (load) side of the ballast
> > and 
> > does not provide any filtering on the AC input side.
> > Unfortunately, 
> > this filter did not reduce the noise from this particular
> > installation 
> > by any significant amount.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > The more expensive option was to offer to replace the offending 
> > ballast.
> > While it was not my responsibility to do so, it was far and away
> > the 
> > most expedient and effective way to handle the issue. After a bit
> > of 
> > digging around I found the "Galaxy Grow Amp Model 902220". I
> > purchased 
> > it from a local vendor who offered to take it back if it did not
> > solve 
> > my problem.
> > These are also available from online sources for far less than the 
> > MSRP shown in the link below. Galaxy advertising touts "ultra low
> > RFI 
> > broadband emissions" and several vendors recommend these to
> > growers 
> > who would like to minimize an RF signature recognizable by law 
> > enforcement. There's an emissions test report by a third-party lab 
> > posted on the Galaxy website.
> > Galaxy maintains the following: "All Galaxy brand electronic
> > ballasts 
> > legitimately pass FCC Article 18 Part B standards. This standard 
> > allows for much less radio frequency & electromagnetic
> > interference 
> > than Part A.
> > (277
> > volt Galaxy ballasts are tested to Part A commercial standard).
> > Part B 
> > level certification confirms FCC compliance not only for
> > commercial 
> > applications, but for residential as well."
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Keep in mind I am a fair distance from the source, but when
> > compared 
> > to the original installation the improvement with the Galaxy
> > ballast 
> > is remarkable.
> > The new ballast was installed without the "Revolution Ballast EMI 
> > Filter", by the way.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > I should point out that the neighbor was very cooperative and gave
> > me 
> > total access to his greenhouse (veggies and house plants, for
> > those 
> > wondering).
> > It's a good thing the problem was resolved when it was. They are 
> > thinking about building a bigger greenhouse and indicated they
> > would 
> > use the Galaxy ballast if and when they buy additional grow lamps.
> > Had 
> > I not intervened there may have been several more of Satan's toys
> > to 
> > deal with.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Hope this helps someone in a similar situation. As always, Your 
> > Mileage May Vary.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Links:
> > 
> > Revolution Ballast EMI Filter - http://tinyurl.com/hclaw3m
> > 
> > Galaxy Grow Amp Model 902220 - http://tinyurl.com/hx59v5z  ;(click
> > on 
> > the FCC docs button for information on EMC testing)
> > 
> > Galaxy Grow Amp Model 902220 emissions test report - 
> > http://tinyurl.com/hlp9g9k
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Larry K5RK
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > RFI mailing list
> > RFI@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
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