Buzzing sound from light set

[tormentz]

Have recently bought a new lightset, however, noticed a faint buzzing sound coming from it when its switched on.

Should the sound be any cause for concern and any methods which i can remedy it?

[hwchoy]

is it an electronic ballast or iron core? typical iron core ballast maybe proudce a buzzing sound (can be very loud) just like your normal house florescent lamps.

[tormentz]

Guess it should be a normal iron core ballast, is this normal? I do not get the sound from all my other light sets other than this particular one.

[hwchoy]

change your ballast to an electronic one.

[|squee|]

My home's iron core ballasts are almost 10 years old, and they are starting to buzz. It's a problem with age I guess.

[hwchoy]

its a problem with age and your luck, actually

[tormentz]

Guess it must really be bad luck on my side, i just got my set barely a week ago. On a side note, how much would an e-ballast cost? And is it possible to change it DIY?

[valice]

It is possible with the correct set of tools...
The eballast can be bought from any lighting shop in Sim Lim Towers, or, you can approach NA for a China eballast which was discussed before here last time...

Remove the starter and iron core ballast and just follow pin to pin the wiring... Usually on the eballast, there is a circuit diagram on how you can wire the lights to it...

[redbasser]

Alternatively, you can just get new iron core ballast from any hardware shops and replace the existing ones without modifying or changing any of the wiring.
Just re-connect wire for wire.
Lesser risk of a wrong connection (Fire hazard) if you are not sure of the wire connection.

[gummynut]

if you understand the circuit diagram imprinted on the e-ballast itself, then it is pretty straight forward.
my concern is:
can the eballast fit comfortable into the light housing, which means the size of the eballast must be similar to your existing ballast.
the length of the wire of your light is adequate to be connected to the 'ports' and the connection must be secure.

if the buzzing sound is troubling you, why not just bring it back to the seller and ask for exchange, provided that you still have the receipt and you bought it not too long ago. you may also ask for opinion if the noise is generated from normal operation.

[valice]

There is the China eballast from NA which is about the size of a iron core ballast... That will fit in... But don't know about the reliability...

If Osram eballast, then not so straight forward...

[hwchoy]

check with Chan from Nature Aquarium. Eballast is good as it gives out less heat and more reliable. Light doesn't flicker when turned on too.

I thought eballast are smaller than their equivalent iron ballast? also you don't have to mess with the starters any more.

[tormentz]

Got it from Kingfisher to help Ian clear his stock so don't think possible to exchange it. I will probably get a new iron core ballast as a eballast would cost me as much or even more than the lightset itself. Cost is a concern for me.

Thanks to all for their valuable inputs.

[fi5hkiller]

also think of running cost.
iron core is hotter and uses more electricity for input.
since hotter, it takes more to remove the heat to keep your tank cool.
if using chiller, the motor will run more often too.