Buzzing T8 Ballasts?

[mpire]

Ok, so I have 6 lights in my garage. Two are driving me nuts with the buzzing.

4 are 2 T8 bulbs with a blank unmarked white ballast that is fairly small, they don't make any noise at all.

The other two are 4 bulb T8 lights and they buzz. Drives me crazy. The ballast looks like regular ballasts from my days with T12 bulbs, but it is marked clearly for T8 bulbs.

Any ideas on what the difference is?

Here is a pic of the buzzing ballasts:

While two of the 2 bulb lights are brand new, the other two are the same age as the 4 bulb lights. So I don't think its an age thing, maybe just a crappy light or something like that?

 

[Mikeynice]

Thats an electronic ballast and should not buzz. Double check all connections and make sure the lamps are seated corectly.

 

[BillK]

Could just be defective. Wont be the first time

 

[mpire]

Thats an electronic ballast and should not buzz. Double check all connections and make sure the lamps are seated corectly.

Well, how do I know if its wired up correctly? Is it possible I wired it backwards?

It still works just fine after 18 months, but I think the buzzing is getting louder. All 4 lights come on and work as designed.

I might just replace the whole damned things.

 

[bryna]

I have the same issue with mine... I put 11 fixtures in and a couple of them buzz. Mine didn't come from a box store, I purchased through my electrician. I haven't looked into it yet but if anyone has any specifics to look into I'd appreciate the information too. Probably ask him to look at them sometime this winter.

 

[PassnThru]

I did a search on the model number of your ballast - it returned very few hits. The hits it did return were relevant so I didn't type it in wrong. I do know that I could not buy a new one at this point. I think you have some very old ballasts that aren't sold anymore. I would replace both of them given that info and the issues that you are having. You could replace one and see if it helps.

 

[Mikeynice]

Well, how do I know if its wired up correctly? Is it possible I wired it backwards?

It still works just fine after 18 months, but I think the buzzing is getting louder. All 4 lights come on and work as designed.

I might just replace the whole damned things.

Sounds like its wired correctly or else it wouldnt work at all. Just make sure all the splices are made up good and wirenuts are tight and lamps are seated correctly in there sockets(pins on lamps should be parallel to floor). If that doesnt solve your problem just replace them and try to get Advance ballasts that are good for 4 T8 32w lamps.

 

[mpire]

Yeah, I figured I had it pretty much correct. I swapped in the new 6500k "Daylight" bulbs just to see if that helped.

I can tell you I love the 6500k bulbs. I put some in the closet and my wife actually went through and got rid of a bunch of stuff she doesn't wear anymore! I hate clutter.

 

[Falcon67]

From a pricing standpoint, replace the fixture or pay a bit more and replace the ballast. It just happens. The ballasts are more $, but they typically fix the issue and you are done. If your lights are hard wired, it's less hassle to replace the ballast.

 

[Greatbear]

It's not uncommon for an electronic, high frequency ballast to hum. Even though the switching frequency is almost always way above the upper limit of human hearing, there can be instances of loose transformer cores or windings which can create an audible pitch. Also, amost all electronic ballasts have some form of line filter that keeps high frequency nois from escaping into the supply wiring. The filter chokes are line-frequency transformer-like devices, and can also create a hum with current flowing through them. I have two noisy electronic ballasts that hum lightly, but compared to the old magnetic ballasts they replaced, the noise is very small.

 

[mpire]

That may be it, I do have abnormally good hearing.

I will give it a try to see what I can accomplish with a new ballast. If I get nowhere, then I will just take the new lights back.

 

[PassnThru]

That may be it, I do have abnormally good hearing.

I will give it a try to see what I can accomplish with a new ballast. If I get nowhere, then I will just take the new lights back.

Be aware that you will have to cut the wires to replace the ballast. I doubt you will be able to return that light at that point....

 

[Greatbear]

You might want to try isolating the ballast from the housing with some rubber grommets. This can cut down on noise considerably.

 

[mpire]

You might want to try isolating the ballast from the housing with some rubber grommets. This can cut down on noise considerably.

I will try that when I get home. Anything is better than nothing.

 

[cowboyjosh]

its a no name ballast; reckon its about to give up the ghost. T8 electronics are not "supposed" to buzz but if a component about to fail is vibrating inside the ballast it will create the noise your hearing. I'd replace it with a Philips / Advance ballast and you'll be back in business. Now the cheap ******* in me would live with the buzz and wait for it to go out completely.