Ballast Hum

[CrohnieBoy]

OK. Got the hood built, put the 2 bulb FL fixture in, added 1 plant grow bulb and one 5000K 92 CRI bulb.

I was doing a test run last evening. It is all working; have good amount of light. BUT (always is one) the ballast started to hum after an hour. For a living room tank, it is a rather annoying hum.

My 1st question: Will the humming go away after the ballast "breaks in" or is it a peramnent thing.

My 2nd question: If it is a permanent thing, can anyone recommend a good (cheap) dual 20 watt FL bulb ballast?

Thanks.

[beviking]

I don't think the hum will go away. Is there a back on your hood or could you put something there that might dampen the noise a little? I have two cheap shop lights in mine and they hum a little, but it is pretty much inaudible (?). Maybe, if someone recommends one, you could buy the shop light and use the ballast out of it?

[valerie]

I jsut got an all new 2 bulb all glass ballast and it hums too. SO far it hasn't gone away.

[wetmanNY]

You're using the modern electronic ballast, not the old "tar" ballast...

[CrohnieBoy]

Let the ballast run for a few days. Man is it annoying. Starting the search for a new ballast...

Any suggestions? (Please don't say IceCap. I am on a budget here. Thanks. )

[slipknottin]

Find a GE electronic ballast at a local home depot. They should say what bulbs and max wattage it will fire.

You could also buy a workhorse 5 ballast, they sell for around $40 online.

You will have plenty of upgradability, as they will run up to 128 watts. With that ballast you could also overdrive your bulbs, which means sending quite a bit more wattage through each bulb than there rated for. It will result in much brighter bulbs, but the bulbs wont last quite as long.

[GDominy]

Originally posted by CrohnieBoy
Let the ballast run for a few days. Man is it annoying. Starting the search for a new ballast...

Any suggestions? (Please don't say IceCap. I am on a budget here. Thanks. )

Definately go with the workhorse 5. Its cheap, but very reliable and dirt quiet. I actually think that $40 is somewhat high for that ballast though.... I managed to purchase my workhorse 7's for $60 Canadian each (about $40 US)

[CrohnieBoy]

All:

I had to buy lighting for the basement (finishing it) last night at Lowes, so I picked up another fixture. This one is totally silent. No humming at all. It is the same type fixture from the same place. So I guess I just had a 'bad' one. Just thought I'd pass that along.

Thanks for all input.

:)

[beviking]

Now take the old one back and tell them you want it replaced b/c it humms!:cool:

[CrohnieBoy]

beviking:

You read my mind. ;) If I have time tonight, it's going back. I will ask for a refund. With all the basement construction I am doing, they just about know me by name. (Or credit card number) :)