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T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?
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Topshot
Posted 1/24/2011 20:49 (#1570427)
Subject: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Near Richmond, IN

I recently installed some T8 florescent lights in my shop building and have noticed that when I tried listening to the radio in my vehicle it worked fine until I turned on the lights. Then the interference from the lights was so bad that I couldn't get any reception at all. I'm assuming that it would be the same on a stand alone stereo or fm receiver which is what I wanted to put in their eventually. Is there any way to filter the lights so they don't interfere with the fm radio? Would some type of outside antenna help any? Or any other solution other than leaving the lights off?TIA,Steve

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Gambler
Posted 1/24/2011 20:57 (#1570462 - in reply to #1570427)
Subject: RE: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Chalk up another one for agTalk

was wondering why all of a sudden tractor radio had static when driving into shop just put up some T8 lights
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redoak
Posted 1/24/2011 21:07 (#1570492 - in reply to #1570462)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


deep SW On.
-we have 8+ t-8lights in a barn and no one has complained of reception...we do have a filter block and some surge thing too keep voltage constant...kinda disppointed with T-8 ballasts as in 6 years we have replaced at least 1/4 of them...the replacements from an electrical supplier are twice as heavy
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andent
Posted 1/24/2011 21:14 (#1570522 - in reply to #1570427)
Subject: RE: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Central Iowa
Along time ago I took Radio station RF out of a church PA system. requires Capacitors on incoming AC line (similoar to the kits sold for cars) most good Electrrical enginneers or radio station maintence guys could tell you how to do this. Otherwise you may need to google another Talk site like this for you answer , If you don't know anyone. Basically there is a formula that allows for the current draw, AC voltage, and frequency you want to block. and you build a box the AC passes thru to block the interference, Assuming it is on the AC line. You will also need to determine if it is coming down the AC line or being induced into the antenna, or possibly the radio housing. Flourescent light buzz can be taken out of PA sysems sometimes by moving your ac breaker serving the radio to the opposite phase of the lights and off different breakers. And I sort of remember Radio shack or someone (parts express,digikey?) having a filter that plugs between your radio and the wall.
That should get you started. It really depends how severe your problem is as to how far you have to go to fix it. Sorry , I have no experience with your type lights, Or I may have known the exact answer.

You can also take a small portable radio and move it around inside the bulding and see if the interference is worse in some areas. If your vehicles have problems such as the previous poster then an outdoor antenna may/probably will help. also make sure radio is on a true grounded outlet, or ground the frame/chasis of the radio to a good electrically separate ground source(water pipe)


Good Luck

Andy
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bwire
Posted 1/24/2011 23:03 (#1570859 - in reply to #1570522)
Subject: RE: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Rock County, MN

An interruptible power supply does the same thing, breaking the A/C down to D/C then rectifying back to clean A/C

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dloc
Posted 1/24/2011 22:39 (#1570789 - in reply to #1570427)
Subject: RE: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


In a metal clad building, an outside antenna will probably solve all of your problems. The base problem is that your ballasts are emitting electromagnetic interference. They are rated for how “good” they are if you read the label. Good ones are more expensive so a case where price can matter.

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bwire
Posted 1/24/2011 23:05 (#1570863 - in reply to #1570789)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Rock County, MN
There are new ballasts out now with filters integral and distribution is dumping the old at discounts.
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moovin on
Posted 1/24/2011 23:20 (#1570913 - in reply to #1570863)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


WC Iowa
Have T8 fixtures from an electrical contractor, no reception problems. Consumer beware.
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Topshot
Posted 1/25/2011 02:16 (#1571134 - in reply to #1570913)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Near Richmond, IN
I bought these fixtures from an electrical supply house, you'd think they'd be good ones. At least they were priced like good ones! I'll have to check with them to see what they say about it.
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GangGreen
Posted 1/25/2011 08:38 (#1571322 - in reply to #1570427)
Subject: RE: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?



Eastern Iowa
I have had a similar problem with flourescents plugged into ceiling outlets above my bench, and sometimes running drills, etc, plugged into wall outlets. Creates a lot of interference over the stereo.

I always wondered if the interference could be eliminated by seeing to it the lights didn't share a common wire with the plug-ins in your shop. The white wires are probably screwed to the same neutral pole in your breaker box. Has anybody tried this?

Edited by GangGreen 1/25/2011 08:41
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mhredman
Posted 1/25/2011 08:46 (#1571347 - in reply to #1570427)
Subject: RE: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?



North Central Iowa
The problem is in the ballast. There are two types, commercial type and home ballast type. The commercial type run near the same hertz as a radio's tuner. The interference is affecting the tuner that is why it makes no difference whether it is your shop radio running on 110 voltage plugged into wall or your tractor or truck radio which has a different power source.

I tried wrapping receiver in aluminum foil, doesn't help. The antenna is not the problem either, I went as far as putting the antenna in the shop but moved the radio receiver at least 15ft out the door and then it works fine. Also tried running power from different building for radio, doesn't help.

I have my receiver in a different building and ran speaker wires to my shop. When I add my office to the side of shop I will put different lights in office and radio receiver should be at least 15ft from shop.

You could change the ballast in lights to the home style ballast but in my case, 2 ballast in each light, not wanting the cost of that.

My lights weren't cheap ones, they came from electrical supply where all the contractors get their stuff.
6 bulb two ballast type

I called GE and talked to some engineer, thats where I got the info.

I had a thread on this subject spring of 2008, got alot of advice on here but nothing worked. Thats when I gave up and called GE. I know ur pain!!!!!!

Edited by mhredman 1/25/2011 08:57
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braidy
Posted 1/25/2011 09:05 (#1571387 - in reply to #1570427)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


NW Minnesota
We added high dollar electrical supplier T8 HO lights last year and it completely killed the radio. Went to a reciever style radio and added an external fm antenna. Works excellent now, never had such good reception.

http://fmdxantenna.com/proddetail.php?prod=FMDipUS
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Topshot
Posted 1/25/2011 09:37 (#1571451 - in reply to #1571387)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Near Richmond, IN
I'm assuming you mean a stereo receiver style radio like you might have in your house? If the external antenna solved the problem I'd have no problem putting one in, just hate to do it if it doesn't solve the problem. I'm not questioning your response, just trying to make sure I understand you correctly--that you had the problem with the interference and the external antenna solved it? correct? Thanks,
Steve
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braidy
Posted 1/25/2011 19:51 (#1572522 - in reply to #1571451)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


NW Minnesota
Yep I use a Sony reciever style radio, anything with an external antenna jack will work. Ours is an all steel building and fm radio was never a strong point, but after installing the outdoor antenna its like night and day we've never had such good reception. The kit is pretty simple and I'm sure could be duplicated cheaper but it was getting way to quiet without the radio on so I just coughed up the money and couldn't be happier, should have been done years ago. Nothing worse than having one of those stations that fade in an out all day long. Reception maybe isn't a issue with some that live close to large cities but we are at least 50-60 miles from any "real" stations.
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Topshot
Posted 1/26/2011 09:21 (#1573661 - in reply to #1572522)
Subject: Re: T8 Florescent shop light interference on FM Radio --any cures?


Near Richmond, IN
Thanks, think I'll try one. It takes the fun out of working, especially on a weekend, when you don't have a radio.
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