Buzzing Ballast Question

[Winmon]

I have 1 florescent light that is buzzing real bad. I took the cover off and found that it is a differant ballast then the other lights that are not buzzing. The ballast that IS buzzing is a Pacific Ballast RS-295-TP. The other ballasts that are NOT buzzing are Advance R-2S110-TP.
Anyone know why the Pacific ballast is buzzing and the Advance ballast is not? Just curious, I am going to be replacing the Pacific ballast with a Advance R-2S110-TP.

 

[hitek]

usually a buzzing ballast is going bad and needs replaced...I have heard of the ballast or something in it being loose and also causing a buzzing noise...not sure about the differences between the two...

By the way...awesome shop!!!

 

[Fast Orange]

The buzzing is caused by the laminations vibrating inside the ballast.Eventually the insulating varnish will break down and the ballast will burn out.Any loose parts of the fixture itself will amplify the buzzing.When you change the ballast,go over the fixture and tweak any loose sheet metal to tighten up the joints.

George

 

[mike944]

It looks like you're in an area that gets cold. I don't know if your shop is heated, but it might be a good idea to look at electronic ballasts. They'll never buzz, and should improve cold starting too.

 

[Winmon]

Thanks guys! The lights are all pretty new (they were installed this past spring), so I had not thought about the ballast going out. I just figured it was because the ballasts have different #'s.

but it might be a good idea to look at electronic ballasts.

The garage is heated, but I have been thinking about switching them all out for electronic ballast to eliminate the rest of the buzzing. Plus, my high ceiling just magnifys' it. That was one of the things that got over looked when I was telling the electrician what I wanted . The problem is that I have 13 to swap out if I do switch them over to electronic. What is the electronic ballast that I need to look for, just a H/0 110 T-12?

By the way...awesome shop!!!

Thanks Mark! I was checking out your website, what a cool company! That must be a fun job!

 

[hitek]

I see you are out in Washington...I have a friend out there that is a automotive stylist/designer...Jason Rushforth. Have you seen his stuff?

The website is a work in progress...its a great way to still be involved with cars while making a couple of bucks!

 

[Winmon]

Jason Rushforth. Have you seen his stuff?

I sure have. He does GREAT work. I use to see him at car shows, but I have not seen him in a couple years.The first time I looked through his work at a booth he had set up at a show, I was blown away by his designs. I still see some of his designs in magazines every once in awhile. If I ever decide to re-paint my '56, I will be calling him...

 

[hitek]

We went to SEMA in '05...the guy knows everyone. We could not walk 20 feet without someone stopping him to talk.
I worked on a project with him last year...he really knows his stuff.

 

[ptschram]

I had a solid state ballast catch fire on me. As I was getting out of the shower, the house filled with smoke. I caught it just in time.

I am very careful with fluorescent lights now.

FYI

 

[Winmon]

Well I just ordered a electronic ballast to replace my buzzing magnetic ballast for my F96/T12/HO lights. Followed up on link I got at another forum to Universal's B295SR120HP electronic ballast. Finally found a local place that sold them. Wanted $115 for them! . Then I looked at Grainger.com and they disco'd the Universal brand but linked over to "view alternates" to the Advance REL2S110 electronic ballast. They wanted $74 for it. Then I came across Bulbs.com and found the same Advance brand electronic ballast for $48! Says it uses the (2) F96/T12/HO bulbs. Funny thing is the magnetic Advance ballast I have now was $80 from Bulbs.com. Anyway, just wanted to post this in case anyone else is looking to replace their magnetic F96/T12/HO ballast with electronic....http://www.bulbs.com/eSpec.aspx?ID=11813

 

[bbpanel]

Does anyone sell the (2) F96/T12/HO 110 fixture with the electronic ballasts? I can't seem to find any. At $48/ballast that's the initial cost of the whole fixture to begin with.

 

[Winmon]

I could not find any. Seems real strange that they even still make the magnetic ballasts at all anymore.

 

[okcrescue]

Has anybody heard of this? I was talking to my electrician about putting up some lights and he said his supplier said that the T12 bulbs are eventualy going to be discontinued by EPA due to high mercury content, and advised to start using the smaller in diameter T8 Bulbs. Said T12 bulbs might get exspensive.

 

[bbpanel]

I could not find any. Seems real strange that they even still make the magnetic ballasts at all anymore.

Interestingly enough, I decided to go ahead and buy the F96/T12/HO 110 fixture from Lowe's today and the first box I opened the fixture had an electronic ballast - will open the rest tomorrow and see if they do also.

 

[Winmon]

the first box I opened the fixture had an electronic ballast

No kidding? That is my typical timing, just after I buy mine they switch over!!
I switched 1 ballast over to the electronic and it has 0 noise, just have 12 more to replace now

What are the part #'s on them? You have me thinking now. Instead of spending $50 to replace each ballast I have, I could go out and buy new fixtures and then sell mine.

 

[bbpanel]

As it turns out I have 7 with e-ballasts and 3 w/o. All of the package labels are the same (bar code is 62401 15864) - there is nothing on the boxes to distinguish one from another. However, if you have one each side by side the e-ballast box is noticeably lighter. I bought the last 10 they had and I've got a scissor lift rented to install these lights so I'm stuck with them. They couldn't tell me when another shipment was coming.

I marked the ones w/e-ballasts so I can tell them apart once they are mounted but hopefully the 3 won't be too bad.