ballast making a loud buzzing noise

bveselka · 06/26/2008, 12:43 PM

my ballast is making a loud buzzing noise. hubby looked into it and is about to order a new one. before we fork out 80 bucks, any advice as to what it might be? i am trying to figure out if it can be fixed.

bveselka · 06/26/2008, 12:47 PM

also any suggestion as to where to get one at a reasonble price?

JRaquatics · 06/26/2008, 01:01 PM

What kind of ballast is it? If it is a magnetic ballast like a M58 then it is normal and sometimes gets louder with age. Besides the noise does it still work?

bveselka · 06/26/2008, 01:26 PM

yes- m58 yes still works- so needs to be replaced then huh?

JRaquatics · 06/26/2008, 01:33 PM

buzzing is usually normal with m58 ballast.

bveselka · 06/26/2008, 02:03 PM

this is a really loud buzzing whining- the other one is not doing it. this is like a scary I am going to explode sound. definitely not the normal sound.

PaulErik · 06/26/2008, 05:16 PM

Magnetic ballasts them self do not buzz much usually. The noise can be caused by various things. If the ballast is mounted the ballast can vibrate and make a buzzing sound. The noise usually comes from poor metal to metal contact or loose mounting. Another thing is the laminated steel plates on the ballast can come loose over time from stress. This will generate buzzing from the plates vibrating against each other. In this case nothing can usually be done about the noise. The noise will generally not affect the ballast or operation.

An ANSI M58 magnetic ballast is usually a CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer). These are known to vibrate and make more noise than other ballast circuits. This is because the ballast Current Crest Factor is highest with these (distorted current wave form). Proper and good mounting techniques are important to keep the noise level at a minimum.

06/26/2008, 12:43 PM	#1
bveselka Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 91	ballast making a loud buzzing noise my ballast is making a loud buzzing noise. hubby looked into it and is about to order a new one. before we fork out 80 bucks, any advice as to what it might be? i am trying to figure out if it can be fixed. __________________ Taking this one day at a time! Current Tank Info: Purple Tang, Flame Angel, 2 Clowns, 3 Yellow Tail Damsels, 1 3-Strip Damsel, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Fox Face, 1 Pink Tailed Trigger

06/26/2008, 12:47 PM	#2
bveselka Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 91	also any suggestion as to where to get one at a reasonble price? __________________ Taking this one day at a time! Current Tank Info: Purple Tang, Flame Angel, 2 Clowns, 3 Yellow Tail Damsels, 1 3-Strip Damsel, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Fox Face, 1 Pink Tailed Trigger

06/26/2008, 01:26 PM	#4
bveselka Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 91	yes- m58 yes still works- so needs to be replaced then huh? __________________ Taking this one day at a time! Current Tank Info: Purple Tang, Flame Angel, 2 Clowns, 3 Yellow Tail Damsels, 1 3-Strip Damsel, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Fox Face, 1 Pink Tailed Trigger

06/26/2008, 02:03 PM	#6
bveselka Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 91	this is a really loud buzzing whining- the other one is not doing it. this is like a scary I am going to explode sound. definitely not the normal sound. __________________ Taking this one day at a time! Current Tank Info: Purple Tang, Flame Angel, 2 Clowns, 3 Yellow Tail Damsels, 1 3-Strip Damsel, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Fox Face, 1 Pink Tailed Trigger

06/26/2008, 01:01 PM	#3
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	What kind of ballast is it? If it is a magnetic ballast like a M58 then it is normal and sometimes gets louder with age. Besides the noise does it still work?

06/26/2008, 01:33 PM	#5
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	buzzing is usually normal with m58 ballast.

06/26/2008, 05:16 PM	#7
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Magnetic ballasts them self do not buzz much usually. The noise can be caused by various things. If the ballast is mounted the ballast can vibrate and make a buzzing sound. The noise usually comes from poor metal to metal contact or loose mounting. Another thing is the laminated steel plates on the ballast can come loose over time from stress. This will generate buzzing from the plates vibrating against each other. In this case nothing can usually be done about the noise. The noise will generally not affect the ballast or operation. An ANSI M58 magnetic ballast is usually a CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer). These are known to vibrate and make more noise than other ballast circuits. This is because the ballast Current Crest Factor is highest with these (distorted current wave form). Proper and good mounting techniques are important to keep the noise level at a minimum.