Stereo question
 

I'm getting some major interference from cold starting ballasts.

My stereo in the garage (big pole barn) is being affected by my cold weather florescent lights. All I get is this horible static noise when I listen to radio stations. If I shut off the lights, it sounds great. When I turn them back on, it goes bad again.

Also notice this when using our wireless intercom.

Does anybody make a filtering antenna/device to control this??

Not so important if I can't hear the wife calling ........but I need my tunes man!! :crazy:

CJC

What about shielded speakers?

what about moving to atleast the suburbs

The only filters I know of are in the power suply line, not sure on a home stereo, you need to talk to audiofn

has this been happening from the begining? maybe on of the ballasts is going bad in one of the lights???

Just put lights in this summer. Noticed it a little bit - but not worth asking you guys. But since it has been real cold, you can't even hear the music any more. Think it's because the lights are working really hard to heat up. - I bought the "cold starting" lights so they won't flicker when cold out. These don't "flicker" but take forever to get bright. :mad: :rolleyes:

Don't know about your tunes. But when my garage is cold, my lights are freakin loud. They take a while to get bright too.

This post just gave me a reason to complain about my lights.:D

Audiofn,


HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What type of radio, where is the antenna? If its portable, take it outside the garage and if it works fine then mount an external antenna.

I would try to plug the radio into a plug that is on a different circuit with an extension cord for testing purposes. If the problem goes away, then you need to find a different source to plug the radio into. If the problem remains, i would put new ballasts into the lamps for two reasons. Firstly, the buzz will go away and secondly, electronic ballast do not flicker the flourescent bulbs so you dont get the headache.

Good Luck

Andy Buzz

I was thinking the same, unplug em one at a time see if you find just one making the trouble, ive got the elcheapos from home depO (7.00 each) they dont cause inter but are junk after about a year or so, no ballast, some type of board in them i heard, and also have a hard time getting bright in winter,dammed if you do spend money dammed if you dont,:confused:

Hey Casey, move the stereo in the house!! :D

Some good trouble shooting techniques up there :D:D

Andy Buzz gave the idea that I would try first. Second would be to try and replace the balasts in the lights. Were these the ell cheepo 14 buck ones or some high quality ones. I have seen the ellcheapo's cause all kinds of Mayhem. The antenna outside will not likely work as the interfearence will get ya once you are inside anyhow. You may try a different location in the shop if that is possible. The interfearence that you are likely getting is IMP or EMP, can never keep them strait. Oh ya one more trick if the radio has the three prong plug try one of those two-three prong addaptors.

Jon

Going back 30 years it's EMP--Electro-magnetic propogation (sp?)

Whew.. I got that from ECM (electronic Counter Measures) school at Keesler AFB..:D :D

try unwrapping tha wire your using for an antenna from the bulb? lol

Thanks for the suggestions, but they don't work.

1st - They are the good ones, not the elcheapo's. Paid $43 for just the fixture - not including the bulbs. They don't buzz or flicker at all, just takes em 5-6 min to reach max brightness when cold out.

2nd - The lights are on their own circuit/breaker. I put each side on their own light switch (total of 4- 8' fixtures, 2 ea. side).
-ex. radio comes in great, turn one side on, reception goes bad, turn other side on, reception goes really bad. :mad: :confused:
Don't think all ballasts could be bad. (they are the electronic ones)

3rd - The stereo is plugged into a seperate circuit (GFI) w/ a 2 prong plug.


I was told (by who :confused: ) to get an "antenna filter"
Ever heard of that??

What next Audio??????????????????

Casey
:hothead: :hothead:

Not sure man but with all the EMI in there you may want to wrap tin foil around your head to keep your brain from frying :D:D

What kind of radio is it that is messing up. Is this on AM or FM or both? What kind of Antenna do you have. Is it detachable? You can try and get a Magnum Dynalabs Antenna and put it outside up high, and run RG6 Quad Shield down to the Radio and see if that helps ya out. The Magnum Dynalab antenna you can get on the net and let me tell ya it ROCKS. You will get stations you did not even know existed!!!! :D:D

Jon

Audiofn,

The stereo is a pioneer receiver from a rack system. Have it mounted under my workbench. The antenna is from radio shack - T style connects w/ 2 screws in back. Don't know if it does it on AM, sure does on FM though! I will do a search to try and find that antenna you mentioned.

Thanks for your input.

CJC

Get a CD player and forget about it. :D

That is plan B. :cool: :cool:

:D :D