[SneakySneaky]

so i purchased a NEW 600 from lumatek, the one that is supposed to be entirely RF free. even after i did extensive research with the company and was ASSURED that the problem was fixed. Well today i get a knock on my door from the cable guy. my 1 digital 600 that i use for veg, has messed up my entire blocks wireless internet, phone, and radio setups. so now im out over a grand on lumatek, the first lumatek i bought blew up 4+ bulbs in the space of a month (worked fine for a month, then went to shit) so to you lumatek i hope you go out of business soon because you are ruining our security with your LIES! come on chris id like to hear you say something to refute this man i really would, id love it even more if you sent me a refund check and let me go back in time 6 months so i never would have bought one of your products!

[Dr. Smokepuma]

that good to know . suck for you man. i won't be buting one of them systems

[HocusPocus]

thats why I like future brite

Too bad man, that's why certain reputable companies don't sell them.

Good heads up.

I think you guys should ask a little more questions...to understand why,
RF interference can have a lot to play on your part as well. I have used a 400 watt Lumatek in an apartment for over 120 days and have not had one complaint, and I can round up about 10 other users on here who will say the same thing as well.

Originally Posted by SneakySneaky

so i purchased a NEW 600 from lumatek, the one that is supposed to be entirely RF free. even after i did extensive research with the company and was ASSURED that the problem was fixed.

Yes they have "grounded the cord". If you use an extension cord, your at risk for RF int., if you have modded your cords at all (wiring it, cool tube) you will be at risk for a RF int., and finally you have to use the cord they send you, not your own. The ballast must do directly into the outlet, or your at risk. This is all in the lumatek Manuel BTW which I read... did you? There is more info in there as well as to what causes RF.

Originally Posted by SneakySneaky

Well today i get a knock on my door from the cable guy. my 1 digital 600 that i use for veg, has messed up my entire blocks wireless internet, phone, and radio setups.

Ouch, um, I don't think a 600 is capable of destroying ALL those signals for blocks away... usually they affect things such as AM radio and maybe put lines on your TV and might possibly effect a few poeple around you, the whole building at worst, but usually these things have to be within feet of the ballast...

My buddy will most likely have more info on it, if you want I can have him post up in here.

Originally Posted by SneakySneaky

so now im out over a grand on lumatek, the first lumatek i bought blew up 4+ bulbs in the space of a month (worked fine for a month, then went to shit)

Did you know Lumatek has a 5 year warranty... ? This is also found with your instructions/booklets. You can get it repaired for a lot less than one thousand dollars, and with service like that, you'll make back your lost "grand" in no time. I am sure if youu were to send it in and tell them about the RF issues with the ballast, they would have no problem fixing it... they are nice people, or were to me at least.

Originally Posted by SneakySneaky

i hope you go out of business soon because you are ruining our security with your LIES! come on chris id like to hear you say something to refute this man i really would, id love it even more if you sent me a refund check and let me go back in time 6 months so i never would have bought one of your products!

Well I love my lumatek, no heat, no sound, easy start up time, more efficient. I, nor my other 15 nieghbors, have not had one RF problem in my small spartment, however looks like my research has also extended the lengths you have gone. I will admit now that digi's aren't for everyone...you have to put forth a little more effort to understand the added risk, but your stories and claims are not making any sense...

Sorry for the troubles you have had but I do not think Lumatek is to blame, I don't think they are conspiring against us . There are such things as a 'bad product' or a lemon every now and then... and I am sure that is why there is a five year warranty...but I know many people who use Lumateks that are doing fine, including myself.

[clowntown]

Your report sounds kinda familiar, but relating only to the previous silver versions. Very sorry to hear about the unfortunate situation. Did you notice any interferences prior to the cable guy showing up?

What color is your Lumatek 600, and when did you get it?

[Steaks]

im using a galaxy and having no issues. But all i ever see anyone talk about on this site for digis is lumatek, glad i went the diff road!

There is my buddy clown, I asked him to come in and clarify a few things, we all could learn a lot from him, and he takes this subject seriously... I didn't talk to any sales rep, or company rep before I bought a lumatek... I talked to clown Glad to see you here

And yes the older versions were not 'grounded'...

[clowntown]

Thanks for the nice words Kinderfeld; but I don't know any more than anyone else on this topic, just a bit more active in discussing it.

Anyways...

Although the OP had stated that he had a "NEW" Lumatek, which I would normally assume as purple or blue, I've also been to more than one hydro store that claimed that the silver models that they carry are the newest and latest ones. I'm wondering if this could possibly be the case, or perhaps a faulty unit.

Either way, I'd love to hear more about how this happened.

I'd also love to find out how the "internal RF shielding" works in these devices in order to get a better understanding of it. Any EE/EECS guys out there who can explain (or take a guess at) how this type of stuff would work?

Originally Posted by medical_shed

Too bad man, that's why certain reputable companies don't sell them.

Which reputable companies don't sell them? And for what reason? Because of the RFI/EMI concerns?

Which brands / models / products do they sell instead?

[tricephus]

the internal shielding in a galaxy ballast is an emi sheilding silicone potting compound. the adhesive is filled with very small particle size nickel graphite and then poured in around the electrical components. my company came up with the product during the 80's for sheilding the electronics bay on the f117 stealth and b1 bomber. we sell it now for normal electronic use. hope this helps