do all hps make a buzzing noise?

do all hps make a buzzing noise? just got my 400w hps and it makes a buzzing noice. is this normal?

I dunno, I have an old magnetic ballast on a 400 watt hps and it is quiet as a mouse. At least I cannot hear it over the oscillating fans. What is buzzing? Is it the light itself or the ballast?

most do buzz ,some more than others , the digital ballasts are all quiet , but i hear they don't last as long as magnetic

its the box, just had a good look at it there, i think it is because the cover is lose its not so bad if i take the cover off, hopefully no body will hear it haha i have the plants in veg at the moment with an 400 w fcl is there much point in changing over on to hps/(the growing blub i thinks its an mp or somthing ) and just keep it for flowering, or would it speed up the veg alot for me?

robert 14617 said:

most do buzz ,some more than others , the digital ballasts are all quiet , but i hear they don't last as long as magnetic

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Actually my digital ballast buzzes like a mother fucker, i dont think magnetic or digital makes a difference.

smppro said:

Actually my digital ballast buzzes like a mother fucker, i dont think magnetic or digital makes a difference.

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If your digital ballast buzzes, its time to take it in and get it fixed. Digital ballasts are not suppose to buzz at all. Magnetic ballasts do buzz, especially as they get older, they get louder.

good to know i heard wrong thanks

smppro said:

Actually my digital ballast buzzes like a mother fucker, i dont think magnetic or digital makes a difference.

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my old 1000w hps ballast hums and the bulb kinda made a hissing noise. My digital 400w hps ballast does buzz, but not like the magnetic. It's also smaller in wattage and size. The size thing is better to me, and it doesn't put off as much heat. The way it deals with the electricity is, in a way, similar to the difference between fuel injection and a fuel pump. It's a little more efficient and consistant, but you would only notice a huge difference if you were using several thousand watts, then it would be worth your money for the digital.

yea most bulbs hiss or hum to some degree.

cool thanks lads

no they are not supposed to buzz... when they are off.

They buzz its natural

I run absolutely silent, I would be pissed if my ballast or light made noise. Sounds like cheap products to me. Digital ballasts should not make noise......ever. Bulbs only make noise if they are old...or cheap.

My bulb makes a noise when it starts up...I can never hear my magnetic ballast...all I get is the 'whoosh' of air passing through the reflector.

a magnetic ballast will buzz a bulb may make noize until its warmed up but not always, a magnetic ballast can last a long long time a digi will crap out before a magnetic.... i used to replace em every 3 years but i use a magnetic now and someone advised me to just pull the cover and blow it out with compressed air every now and then DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING INSIDE THE BALAST IF YOU DO THIS, evan if it is unplugged it could still hold a charge....

I have a magnetic ballast (Sun Systems) that is probably 5 years old and I buy the $21.00 400 watt HPS bulbs (Sylvania) from Home Depot. I bought the system used. It just makes a ticking noise when the bulb is starting up and trying to light. Who knows how old it really is? Quiet as can be after 5 minutes. Some times old technology is more reliable.

yep right on there bro i love my old 400s my buddie has got to have the most and the best all the time BUT my shit turns out better

right on!!! its up and runningyour right it dose quit down after 5 mins it was 2 hand wonder how old? awell as ye said its more reliable hope it dose the job!!!

Dr. Indica said:

I run absolutely silent, I would be pissed if my ballast or light made noise. Sounds like cheap products to me. Digital ballasts should not make noise......ever. Bulbs only make noise if they are old...or cheap.

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Brand new bulbs make noise reguardless of quality usually. I don't know what you're using, but every bulb I've ever had buzzed a little or made a hissing noise. Some more than others, but I've never once heard a ballast digital or magnetic that did not make some sort of noise at least when you first turn it on. Maybe you just can't hear it over your fan, but I'd be willing to bet its making a noise.

weedpot said:

do all hps make a buzzing noise? just got my 400w hps and it makes a buzzing noice. is this normal?

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old coil magnetic ballast makes that noise bro and yes all buzz, but some louder then others my old 400w made noise and my new sun system doesnt well it does just notloud because its digital

demonic1 said:

If your digital ballast buzzes, its time to take it in and get it fixed. Digital ballasts are not suppose to buzz at all. Magnetic ballasts do buzz, especially as they get older, they get louder.

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No sorry my ballast is fine, just like every other digital that buzzes