[RFI] Galaxy Grow Light Ballast Update
Hare, Ed W1RFI
w1rfi at arrl.org
Wed Feb 3 13:26:54 EST 2016
Yes, that's it, and I do have a set on order.
If any of you have a cooperative neighbor, let me know and we can get you to try the filters. If they work, you can keep them.
Most growers have more than one light, though, but if you turn off all but one and find a reduction, then at least you will know that fully filtering them all should work.
Ed Hare, W1RFI
ARRL Lab Dad
-----Original Message-----
From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Larry Burke
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 12:15 PM
To: rfi at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] Galaxy Grow Light Ballast Update
This is the input/output filter you may be thinking of: http://growershouse.com/nanolux-rf-filter-set-reduce-rf-interference
At this point I don't think my neighbor wants to do any additional experimenting though.
Larry K5RK
-----Original Message-----
From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Hare, Ed W1RFI
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 11:08 AM
To: dave at nk7z.net; rfi at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] Galaxy Grow Light Ballast Update
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 at 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 at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dave Cole
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 8:09 AM
To: rfi at 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
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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
>
>
>
>
>
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