Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

electronic ballasts and DCC

1056 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2015
  • 199 posts
Posted by jhugart on Thursday, February 10, 2005 1:53 PM
An article I read on this pointed out that there's a difference between residential and commercial electronic ballasts for T8 tubes. Residential ones should be shielded, but commercial ones may not be. I bought my T8 fixtures at Home Depot, and while I'm not using DCC (yet), I am doing X10 on the powerlines, and that hasn't been affected.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia
  • 825 posts
Posted by BentnoseWillie on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 9:30 AM
Electronic ballasts are designed to generate less radio-frequency interference, to decrease their impact upon any electronic device, be it a television, computer monitor or DCC system.

I'd be shocked if using electronic ballasts had any adverse impact on DCC operation.
B-Dubya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside every GE is an Alco trying to get out...apparently, through the exhaust stack!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 4, 2005 3:15 PM
I have flourescents exclusively in the train room and we operate with DCC both tethered and wireless and have no problems at all. Your wireless DCC throttle operates on 49 MegaHertz. Shouldn't be any problems.

Cheers,

Ed
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 5 posts
electronic ballasts and DCC
Posted by edknecht on Friday, February 4, 2005 12:40 PM
I'd like to use fluorescent light fixtures with electronic ballasts in my new train room to avoid the noise produced by older magnetic ballasts. But, I've read that the higher operating frequencies of electronic ballasts can interfer with communications equipment. Does anyone have any knowledge or experince with IR or RF DCC systems in rooms using electronic ballasts in fluorescent fixtures?

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!