ok something WEIRD just happened (PLEASE READ)

Adonis

Member
Before I get started I'd like to remind everybody that hotrodhonda started this and called me stupid.
I never stated it doesn't work, it is just not the best option to start with (logically). I also mentioned that other options had been mentioned in this thread and that those were better than shielding. I focused on grounding because that is ALWAYS the first place to start when dealing with any sort of discharge. I kept it to just two options because if I had thrown all kinds of facts and instructions at him it would have been an overwhelming pile of blah, blah, blah and he probably would have just ignored the post. This is a common problem with long posts. You see, there is a thought process known as critical thinking, and in this process you consider each and every factor before dealing with that problem. In the case of electricity, as most know, but clearly not you, grounding is nearly always the culprit, and therefore should be the first check. The fact that it is also the cheapest route is a matter of luck and convenience, but regardless, it fits into the equation perfectly. Checking the ballast's for defective cores would be the next move since they are known to fizzle and it may only be one unit causing the problem. Another reason this fits into the CT equation is that you can easily isolate the circuit. Even something as simple as having a whole bunch of cord coiled on the floor can cause quite a field, especially if there is conductivity going on nearby (lights). But hey! you know what, I'm not going to be smart, I'm not going to work the problem, I'm just going to run out and buy a bunch of sheet metal, start wrapping it around EVERYTHING and hope for the best. It doesn't matter that maybe I could have saved money by using my brain just a little, it doesn't matter that I might be wasting my time by ignoring the simplest solutions and running to the more complicated stuff first. I'm just going to go full throttle with the sheet metal YEE HAWWWW!!!!!! Tell me snotrod, when your bike suddenly stops, do you do a complete engine rebuild on the side of the road? Or do you first check to see if maybe you have run out of gas? (not a trick question) If I were a first year psych student I would have to say your anger towards me was more about disputing your earlier post than anything else. You took it waaay too personal. I like your signature, you certainly are showing "heart" (angry emotional outburst) but you are missing the "good head" part (critical thinking)
One more thing hotrod, you state that I am stupid and need to offer a realistic solution, then, in the next phrase, you state that checking grounds is good advice? Can you spell "contradiction?" Again, a complete lack of critical thought processing. I did throw alot of sarcasm at you but I certainly wont stoop to namecalling. That was not very nice, though common for somebody without original ideas or argument. Come to think of it, my neighbors' kid calls people names as well but that's because he's too stupid to engage in harmonious conversation.
 
Good sir Adonis this I my first post here and I must say I am pleased with the way you just crawled in that dudes anal bravo sir
 

Dobby

Well-Known Member
Before you waste money make sure the grounding is good, just because its connected to the ground in the receptacle does NOT mean it is grounded. If you need to drive a copper grounding rod into the earth it would provide far better results than any sort of shield. Unless you know the frequency (size) of the rf waves it is difficult to know thickness, type of material, conductivity and resistance necessary for your setup. A grounding rod is only a few dollars and all you need is a hammer to drive it down like a fence stake. Grounding is essentially "absorbing" rf into a less resistant material, just as shielding. If grounding and the other options do not work, then go out and spend more on shielding, an extremely expensive and time consuming endeavor. Last time I checked copper sheeting ran about $50 for 1 sq ft. There were other more sensible solutions offered by smart people, as an electrical engineer my (free) advice would be to attempt the cheapest options first, shielding is almost always ineffective, though I'm sure a few have been lucky at times. If it were me, I'd not waste a dime on anything, nobody can enter your house because you are emitting what is found in all parts of the universe. It is not against the law to produce rf. At least not at the levels you are producing.
Speaking as a ham radio operator for many years, this is spot on. ALWAYS check your grounds first!!!! and yes shielding does work.
 

blacksun

New Member
In that link to that other thread I posted, they say stainless steel can work as well.

You have to make sure it's grounded though.

I'm guessing that is accomplished through an electrical outlet's grounding slot (if they are grounded, I saw someone in here mention their whole house isn't grounded? that would suck....).

Just giving a heads up in case you guys are looking for an alternative to copper that is a little cheaper.
 
It may be a sketchy situation, but as adonis said, they cannot take any legal action for rf; you are being bathed in rf right now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can ask you whats going on, but you can reply "i have no idea" or, "I have a really old microwave" (lol) Step 2: double check your heat signal, and double check the smells in case some nosy ass neighbor gets suspicious for any reason. Sheilding will be expensive trial and error, since rf have a wide range.
 

BUdbuddysmile

Active Member
Simmer down now. So, you "the electrical expert here" say that they indeed are less likely to create RF… but go on to say how I am completely wrong and couldn't be farther from the truth. That just sounds silly and I think you should take a deep breath and relax.

I correct myself… will or can lessen the chances of interference. So, now can you the expert actually give him some other helpful tips? Or are you still to worked up to provide some info.
 

FilthyFletch

Mr I Can Do That For Half
Cheap ballast come with cheap rf blocking cords and can interrupt a digital signal. You can also sometimes check by tuning a radio to a static channel then walk close to your stuff and listen for static noise change. Best bet get a rf resistant cord to the hood from a reliable manufacture.
 

psilocybindude

Well-Known Member
I'm guessing that is accomplished through an electrical outlet's grounding slot (if they are grounded, I saw someone in here mention their whole house isn't grounded? that would suck....).
.
Yeah that was me ghey thing is though as i said in my first post i don't know if i am putting out much RF interference, in some ones post they said if the signal keeps interfering that the cable company would disconnect them, i know from car audio not to run my amp audio cables along side my amp power cables because it will cause interference but i was wondering is the RF interference much more likely to travel threw lines that are connected to my house or is it just as likely to be broadcasting from my house and fucking up other peoples shit? as i said i only have power, phone and DSL hooked up to my house.
 

fourweed

Member
I fixed the problem all together and It was simple. I rerouted the cable so i wouldnt be above the grow room hope this helps
 

Adonis

Member
Simmering...:) Funny bro, are you referring to me and my rant? I'm a 20 year Marine so it's habit for me to charge with full velocity. I hope it was entertaining enough. In reality, besides grounding, replacing defective parts, upgrading hardware, and last but not least...shielding...There are not too many options. One thing I'd bet on, unless there is defective gear, it's a grounding problem. Shielding simply focuses on the symptom, the other options deal directly with the cause of the symptom. When I was working on aircraft systems we dealt with rf all the time, and I'm talking about the stuff which will blow a hole in you and fry you like a roasted pig. In the decade that I dealt with renegade rf, we never once used shielding as an option (it is the "duct tape" option), because leaking voltage tells you one thing, it has nowhere else to go, hence, grounding (a path of lesser resistance) must be created.There are other tricks that could be useful but that would require serious knowledge and excessive time and money. I hate to sound repetitive but GROUNDING, GROUNDING, GROUNDING. Hammer a rod into the earth, attach a wire from the rod to the lights, simple. If that is unsuccessful then at least you've only wasted an hour and a few dollars. Next try find which unit is sending the interference and replace parts or entire unit. If it is all of the lights I would then decide whether to block the interference (shield) or replace the transformers. There are devices such as rf filter circuits but again, require more than basic elect knowledge. Dimmer switches cause horrible rf, do you have any of those on your lighting circuit? Some of our more powerful radar equipment would leak massive amounts of rf so we would use rf cables wrapped with aluminum screen (basically window screen) which worked 100%. That could be a cheap option. Maybe walk around the room with a big peice and see if it solves the problem from any one spot. By the way, using the term "shielding" implies you are blocking the signal, this is incorrect, what you are trying to do is absorb the signal, which is why a pliable material like mesh wire is better than solid material. That is why satellite cable (RG-5) has mesh screen wrapped around the core, and why your microwave door has a mesh screen to block signals, instead of a solid. Foil works well too, which is why it is also common in RG-5. Again, in my years working on some of the most sophisticated aircraft in the military, it was extremely rare to find a problem that wasn't due to improper grounding, unless of course it was a defective component/part.
 

fourweed

Member
Im not tripping over a 600 watt grow im tripping over the fact that the cable company seen a pattern from the lights interfering with cable wires and anyone with any sense would be some what worried if this happened to them. How would I know if the cable company would report that. I dont so im not going to take that chance. If this happened to you Im sure you would be a little worried too just saying.
 

Adonis

Member
I know it's tough to not worry, all kinds of scenario's play out in your head till you scream. The truth is, nobody can enter your house unless you let them. The police could never get a warrant just because there is a concentration of rf in your space. Just try to relax, and remember you live in a country where you don't have to open your door to anybody if you do not want to. Enjoy your right to privacy. Did you ever see the video "How not to get busted"? Watch it, might set your mind at ease.
Why dont you move to Colorado where we now enjoy the legal use of ganj.
 
I had the same thing happen, they found a cable going into the garage that hooks up to the tv. It can happen with ANY ballast if the cable goes into that room. Yes it can happen and does, get the end of the cable as far away as it can, do you have a tv down in the room? Digital or analog it can happen if the coax is close to them. They left me a door hanger and I ran ino them after I came out, you need to fix it or they will find you and fix the problem. My guy was really cool, told him had a digital ballast and he unhooked that cable going into the garage.
 

Micj

Active Member
Just something to point out is every school, Auto shop, commercial building, house, garage or just about any place that has power will also have magnetic and digital ballasts of some sort (ex.) High bay lights , flouresent fixtures, recessed can lights Mag/ele. ballasts. Flourescent light fixtures if they are new will have electronic balast and they can cause inference. Old flourescent fixtures are magnetic but no longer made. My point is EMF signal are every where. I would try moving where you have your ballast to see if that helps or move the cable if it runs next to or through your room. If not you might want to talk to the company that makes the ballast and you might find yours is not working properly. I know there is guys with hundreds of these electronic ballast all running at the same time never heard of these issues. As far as the cops I think the biggest thing is where you live. I live in a legal to grow state there not spending a lot of time looking for small grow ops. If you live in Vegas they have a team of trained cops lookin for any signs of growing ops. Rule 1 don't tell anyone and your the only one that knows. Good luck
 
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