Filter for electronic ballasts?

Trapper · 08-26-2001, 11:55 AM

Does anyone know of the type of filter you need to keep electronic ballast's (icecap 660) from interfering with an X-10 controller (octopus)? I've heard radio shack has one. But the plug in one I got from them is'nt working.

Thank's in advance.

karma · 08-26-2001, 08:55 PM

Trapper,

Aquadyne and Neptune Systems both have them on their web sites for about $45 each.

Michael

Trapper · 08-26-2001, 09:56 PM

The one they have is for each item that you want to control. I believe that it is just an X-10 controller itself. That would mean that you would have to put one on everything you wanted to control through your controller. Is their a filter that you can use on the ballast side to eliminate the interference at the source. I hope there is otherwise your talking about another major upgrade.

JG · 08-26-2001, 11:43 PM

IC ballasts don't interfere with X-10's

**SPasse** · 08-27-2001, 12:24 AM

Trapper,

I am a EE, so here goes...

Icecap fluorescent ballasts either the 660 or the 430, should not interfere with X-10 controllers.

It is possible though as X-10 is a somewhat marginal technology, in terms of interference potential.

For example, I have one CF torch light in my family room that prevents any X-10 based module from working anywhere in my house, unless it is fitted with a filter.

Most notorious for interfering with X-10 technologies are the BlueLine MH ballasts. These require two filters per ballast to not cause problems.

But unless you are having interference problems, don’t bother with the filters.

My personal experience with X-10 and IceCap fluorescent ballasts is that they get along just fine.

Regards,

Scott Passe

**SPasse** · 08-27-2001, 11:31 AM

Hi All,

I am moving this thread to the lighting forum.

Regards,

Scott Passe

JG · 08-27-2001, 11:50 AM

SPASSE,

I emailed Champion Lighting to see if I could use their 400 E-Ballasts with my timer I bought from Radio Shack... http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=61%2D2470

Champion emailed me back this, "The X-10 may pick up noise from the E-Ballast. Radio Shack sells an in-line
filter which you can plug the ballast into when using X10. "

IYO, would this filter be enough to resolve the interference problems? Also does the filter, in any way, cause the ballast to underdrive the bulb?

JG · 08-27-2001, 11:56 AM

and is this the filter they're talking about?

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=900%2D8121

thanks,

John

karma · 08-28-2001, 07:11 AM

JG,

This is the line filter that is used for X-10.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=980%2D0867

JG · 08-28-2001, 11:22 AM

Thanks for the link karma.

Damn, I might as well go with the PFO HQI ballasts instead of the BlueLine. Don't feel like spending another $80 for two filters

08-26-2001, 11:55 AM	#1
Trapper Citizen Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sarasota,FL. U.S.A. Posts: 104	Filter for electronic ballasts? Does anyone know of the type of filter you need to keep electronic ballast's (icecap 660) from interfering with an X-10 controller (octopus)? I've heard radio shack has one. But the plug in one I got from them is'nt working. Thank's in advance.

08-27-2001, 12:24 AM	#5
SPasse Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Forney Texas USA Posts: 2,305	Trapper, I am a EE, so here goes... Icecap fluorescent ballasts either the 660 or the 430, should not interfere with X-10 controllers. It is possible though as X-10 is a somewhat marginal technology, in terms of interference potential. For example, I have one CF torch light in my family room that prevents any X-10 based module from working anywhere in my house, unless it is fitted with a filter. Most notorious for interfering with X-10 technologies are the BlueLine MH ballasts. These require two filters per ballast to not cause problems. But unless you are having interference problems, don’t bother with the filters. My personal experience with X-10 and IceCap fluorescent ballasts is that they get along just fine. Regards, Scott Passe __________________ Founding Member – Rocky Mountain Reef Club You can see my former reeftank at http://www.sdpasse.com

08-27-2001, 11:31 AM	#6
SPasse Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Forney Texas USA Posts: 2,305	Hi All, I am moving this thread to the lighting forum. Regards, Scott Passe __________________ Founding Member – Rocky Mountain Reef Club You can see my former reeftank at http://www.sdpasse.com

08-27-2001, 11:50 AM	#7
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	SPASSE, I emailed Champion Lighting to see if I could use their 400 E-Ballasts with my timer I bought from Radio Shack... http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=61%2D2470 Champion emailed me back this, "The X-10 may pick up noise from the E-Ballast. Radio Shack sells an in-line filter which you can plug the ballast into when using X10. " IYO, would this filter be enough to resolve the interference problems? Also does the filter, in any way, cause the ballast to underdrive the bulb? Last edited by JG; 08-27-2001 at 12:50 PM.

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08-26-2001, 08:55 PM	#2
karma Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 13	Trapper, Aquadyne and Neptune Systems both have them on their web sites for about $45 each. Michael

08-26-2001, 09:56 PM	#3
Trapper Citizen Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sarasota,FL. U.S.A. Posts: 104	The one they have is for each item that you want to control. I believe that it is just an X-10 controller itself. That would mean that you would have to put one on everything you wanted to control through your controller. Is their a filter that you can use on the ballast side to eliminate the interference at the source. I hope there is otherwise your talking about another major upgrade.

08-26-2001, 11:43 PM	#4
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	IC ballasts don't interfere with X-10's

08-27-2001, 11:56 AM	#8
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	and is this the filter they're talking about? http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=900%2D8121 thanks, John

08-28-2001, 07:11 AM	#9
karma Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 13	JG, This is the line filter that is used for X-10. http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=980%2D0867

08-28-2001, 11:22 AM	#10
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	Thanks for the link karma. Damn, I might as well go with the PFO HQI ballasts instead of the BlueLine. Don't feel like spending another $80 for two filters

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