Florescent Light radio interference

[Mopar_Ray]

I did a search on the subject, so I know it's a common problem. I hung some cheap light fixtures in may garage that I bought from Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100165...&productId=100165074&R=100165074#.UTuLT47FUy4

Now I can't listen to FM radio on my boom box. AM radio works fine. Also interferes with car radio. The fixtures are hard wired and grounded. I tried plugging in to outlets on different circuits and that didn't help. If I turn off the lights, same radio works fine. Any suggestions?

 

[Angelfire]

Get fixtures with a better ballast

 

[Mopar_Ray]

Get fixtures with a better ballast

Who sells fixtures with a better ballast?

 

[kbs2244]

My satic goes away when they warm up.

 

[toomany]

I don't have a solution, but we've got that same problem at work. When the big (florescent lights) are on in either the walk-in or kitchen. Luckily it goes away when we turn them off and just use the ones above the line. This happened over a recent remodel, and by judging from the other fixtures they used...I'm sure cheap parts are part of the problem.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I moved the stereo in the other room and just ran the speakers where I was getting interference.

 

[Kevin C]

If they are sold for home usage they have to have been tested to meet FFC class B specs. Commercial requirements are a bit looser. Curious what the label on the lights says.

 

[Gary S]

I tossed my radio out and it eliminated not only the static, but the radio noise as well.

 

[Mr. Tool]

I'd suggest that you install and outdoor FM antenna (really doesn't need to be an expensive one either) drill a small hole and run wires through it from the radio's antenna connectors to the antenna outside. Works for me.

 

[chevelle64]

I purposely purchased my lights from a local electrical supply wholesaler and not Home Depot for that very reason. Unfortunately, I still ended up with your exact problem, even the car radios. Long story short...I finally fixed the problem with XM . Good luck.

 

[kevin47]

Wait 'till you get a TIG Welder w/high frequency...That'll fix things...! lol

 

[Angelfire]

Who sells fixtures with a better ballast?

I purchased from contractorlighting.com and have been pleased with them.

 

[Rusty32]

We hung 9 t5 fixtures in our shop. We dont get interference, the radio just dont come in at all.

 

[Winmon]

My stereo had alot of static also so I just brought my old desktop computer into the shop so I can listen to my fav radio stations (or some of the new online stations) via internet. Plus I can listen to my iTunes...

 

[Tdaddy185xlt]

I have had this problem since I put up my lights..drove me nuts. ran my antenna wire all the way outside ....nothing special just the wire hanging out the steel siding/roof seam and comes in crystal clear now

 

[Mopar_Ray]

I guess my best solution is a different radio or antenna. Either that or try different fixtures or ballasts? Changing fixtures or ballasts seems like a crapshoot. Maybe I'll call a lighting shop and see if they know what to do.

 

[djjsr]

I was getting a lot of irritating noise from my radio. It turned out to be Rush Limbaugh. I changed the station.

 

[hotrod--willys]

One thing to consider about florescent lights. When you buy an 8' two light fixture using T96-T 12 lampd, you will check anf see a 430 MA ballast in that fixture. In and low heat area, your regular 430 MA fixtures will give you that very problem of flicering and AM radio static. A good commecial 800 MA fixture using F96-T12 HO lamps will help this problem.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I was getting a lot of irritating noise from my radio. It turned out to be Rush Limbaugh. I changed the station.

I get the same thing but it's only when the wife comes out. . . . .

 

[Falcon67]

T8 with a mag ballast? Bought the wrong light IMHO. Probably a commercial grade ballast, which doesn't care about your FM reception. Residential electronic ballast type T8 is what you should be installing, I think. I have 13 8' Lithonias in the shop and zero FM reception issues.