Author	[Modern View]
redtom 01-30-2013 14:50:36 71.90.155.125 Report to Moderator	Got an old FM radio at work on my bench like most of us do. A month or so ago it cuts out to static on all but the in town station. tried all things then last night I figured it out. They installed one row of T-8? flourescent lights to replace big ole high pressure ones, with more to follow. Turn them off and radio comes in fine. Ran a wire through wall to outside and tried coax to it, but not better. Not a big deal, but I would like my music back. Even the vehicle radio's cut out when pulled in. Is there a filter or something I can use? [Reply]   [No Email]
Mike M 01-31-2013 13:59:26 24.140.0.120 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   Time for singing lessons ?   [Reply]  [No Email]
BOBM25 01-31-2013 08:45:26 74.218.59.3 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I have the same problem in my shop. There is NOTHING you can do, believe me. I"ve tried it all. You can try a new radio, but even that is no guarantee. I"ve noticed that mine is getting better the more I run the lights. I used to get 0 fm stations, now I can get 3 or 4   [Reply]  [No Email]
buickanddeere 01-31-2013 05:03:37 184.151.61.102 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   Problem is that "they" probably have ground and neutral mixed, tied together on an open ground.when installing the T8's. Or the building has ground and/or neutral problems.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Sparktrician 01-31-2013 05:03:13 198.144.54.32 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   RedTom......what city do you work in....just curious.....   [Reply]  [No Email]
ohio dick 01-30-2013 22:08:10 50.126.205.31 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I had the same problem when I went to t8s you have commercial ballast. switch to residential your noise will go away. The residential are less efficient.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Mark-Mi 01-30-2013 21:28:50 68.66.31.18 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   Redtom, most did not read your post carefully about the part where it interferes in vehicles. I have been all through this and researched on the web. My trouble started when I replaced one T-12 8 foot fixture with a double tandem 4 foot T-8 fixture. I used an extension cord tried every circuit in the shop, no good. Pulled pick-up in the shop, still buzzed in pick-up radio. The problem is the ballast. The fixture I bought was a industrial model with a dual voltage ballast. 120-277 volt I believe. I replaced that ballast with one marked, residential use. The ballast is 120 volt only.Problem solved. Still cold starts fine. I have read where a person used a outside antenna and it worked, but you said you tried that. I think you are out of luck with that radio.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dusty MI 01-31-2013 05:56:33 76.250.62.134 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to Mark-Mi, 01-30-2013 21:28:50   Ballast have a sound rating. You can ones with different sound ratings. Dusty   [Reply]  [No Email]
old_bc 01-30-2013 20:44:28 72.161.165.161 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   The new lights may have electronic ballasts.   [Reply]  [No Email]
504 01-30-2013 19:02:36 199.127.54.155 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   Our shop radio started doing the same the day they installed the new lights,the radio works fine with the doors open(no windows)   [Reply]  [No Email]
redtom 01-30-2013 18:13:29 71.90.155.125 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I should add this is at work. The lights are up high probably 20ft, on their own circuit. The lights they replaced were 440v and these are in the same circuit so I can't say exactly what they are but 6 4ft bulbs in each and very bright. It even wipes out any vehicle fm when you pull in.   [Reply]  [No Email]
MarkB_MI 01-30-2013 17:47:38 75.219.58.37 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I have six of eight foot T8s, 24 bulbs total. They don't interfere with my FM radio. I also have a four foot workbench light, which wasn't a problem until I had to replace its ballast. Now it interferes with the radio, so my conclusion is that not all ballasts are the same. I should note that the workbench light is on the same circuit as the radio, while the main lights are on the opposite leg. You might try switching your circuits around so the lights and radios aren't on the same leg.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg K 01-30-2013 16:54:30 75.104.160.54 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I have a similar problem that just showed up last month or so. I have two sets of lights and on one set it is 2 four bulb t-8 fluorescent lights and one 300 watt incandescent. On the other switch it is 2 four bulb t-8 fluorescent and 2 400 watt Metal Halide high bay lights. when I turn on the switch for the fluorescent/metal halide lights it messes with the radio, but when I turn on the other 3 there is no problem. I haven't worried since it is too cold to spend much time down there.   [Reply]  [No Email]
JD PHIL 01-30-2013 16:53:36 67.142.173.24 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   My FM does the same thing with lourescent lights on.   [Reply]  [No Email]
motorcraftman 01-30-2013 16:48:39 74.176.186.22 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I have the Two rows of Two bulbs each,T-8's in My Shop and The radio is OK on Both Am and FM??? I haven't the foggiest idea what could be your Problem... And I have an Electronics backgroung.. Hmm.. Larry   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dave Sherburne NY 01-30-2013 16:30:30 50.48.57.19 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I use an old second hand computer. I can get stations from all over the country and the world no static whatsoever.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Hobo,NC 01-30-2013 16:22:04 71.30.105.149 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to XRogerX, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I use a car radio with a power converter,,, drill a hole thru the wall and mount a car antenna...   [Reply]  [No Email]
jerry crow 01-30-2013 16:11:40 72.148.4.105 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I have the same exact problem. I just try to leave the lights off on that side whenever I can do without them.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 01-30-2013 15:41:46 96.244.162.208 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   Either your radio has a glitch, or something is not grounded right. I have a hypertherm plasma cutter, that will let me know I left it on, it will put a rhythmic clicking noise in my truck radio, when parked outside (AM or FM), and it will even fuzz the radio at the house, 300 feet away!   [Reply]  [No Email]
redtom 01-30-2013 15:02:38 71.90.155.125 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   I did say in OP "FM radio"   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ted in NE-OH 01-30-2013 14:52:59 72.16.19.80 Report to Moderator	Re: Shop radio and light interference in reply to redtom, 01-30-2013 14:50:36   Be sure your radio is not set to "AM" this is normal for "AM" and not "FM"   [Reply]  [No Email]