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  #1  
Old 09-04-2003, 07:28 PM
Wilty Wilty is offline
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Default Ballast noise?

I have a TAR ballast powering my newly installed 250W MH. Got it all wired and then plugged it in. The bulb fired up and it went well. BUT. . The ballast is humming. I know that it is vibrating a little bit but does anyone have a solution for me to get the ballast quieter? Its loud enough for me not to use it. I think i am going to try mounting it on a high heat rubber to absorb the vibration. Anyone had this trouble?
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Old 09-04-2003, 07:34 PM
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Sounds abnormal to me. I have a dual 400w TAR ballast and it's dead quiet. Is it from AI, J&L or another supplier? I'd let them know, maybe get a replacement.
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Old 09-04-2003, 09:48 PM
pluff pluff is offline
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Default Ballast

Is it a new Ballast?If not,most Tar Ballast,when they start to hum,It means there ready to die.Is it leaking any tar?Also thats a sign of the Ballast going bad.Good Luck!!
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Old 09-04-2003, 10:05 PM
Quinn Quinn is offline
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Ballasts actually contain tar/oil?
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Old 09-05-2003, 05:24 PM
Wilty Wilty is offline
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Well this is an industrial ballast. brand new. I worked out its vibrating like crazy. I need to bolt it down better clearly. Its hard to tell if it will hum loud once I deaden the vibration since the vibration noise is very loud.
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Old 09-05-2003, 08:01 PM
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I would be a little concerned if I needed to bolt down a ballast to stop it from running away. Take it back.
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  #7  
Old 09-05-2003, 08:13 PM
Wilty Wilty is offline
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I asked my electrician (spelling?) about it, since I bought it through him, he said yeah it'll vibrate and needs to be bolted down well. I think it is punishment for trying to be cheap. Bummer!
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  #8  
Old 09-06-2003, 12:14 AM
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all ballasts make a hum, some more than others.

Steve
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Old 09-07-2003, 07:36 PM
Old Guy Old Guy is offline
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My 250 Hamilton ballast has quite a hum to it.
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  #10  
Old 09-07-2003, 07:58 PM
powerboy powerboy is offline
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as mentioned in an earlier post, the older a ballast gets, the more noise and vibration it will generate.. so if its really loud, and moving around on you, then its at its lifes end...

a new ballast out of the box will make almost no noise at all ( just a very slight hum)
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