fluoresant (sp) lights and digital scales

newshot

newshot

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
124   0   1
Location
GTA
I just got an rcbs 1500 and was told fluorescant lighting, which I have in my reloading room, can effect the scale. Would a cardboard shroud be enough to protect its integrity? I don't really understand how the light interacts with the scale so I am not sure what I am trying to block.

Thanks!
 
I work in a research lab. We have digital scales(down to 0.0001 mg) and fluorescent lighting. No problems here. This seems like total bull to be honest. Maybe something to do with out of date balances, but certainly not modern ones.
 
It probably depends on the lights. The older T12 lamps (the fat ones) have a magnetic ballast. I guess it would be possible for the magnetic field created by the ballast to effect sensitive electronic equipment. The newer T8 lamps (the smaller diameter ones) have an electronic ballast that should not effect anything. A cardboard shield would do nothing to "protect" the scale. I hope this helps
 
I know it has been a while since my university physics courses, but I cannot figure out how a scale would be affected by a fluorescent light.

I think a good urban myth is in the making!!
 
fwm said:
It probably depends on the lights. The older T12 lamps (the fat ones) have a magnetic ballast. I guess it would be possible for the magnetic field created by the ballast to effect sensitive electronic equipment. The newer T8 lamps (the smaller diameter ones) have an electronic ballast that should not effect anything. A cardboard shield would do nothing to "protect" the scale. I hope this helps
Click to expand...

I agree, I don't think the newer electronic ballast lights will cause a problem. The older magnetic style ballast might have the potential to do so.

I have 2 eight foot old-style ones and 2 four foot new style ones in my reloading room and I've noticed nothing erratic with my chargemaster in the 2 years that I've had it.
 
i thought the same thing with my hornady scale. but i ended up putting my scale on a bounce sheet when i would use it and unplug the electical outlet on my bench at the wall (the wiring runs under the top of the bench) everything seems to run ok now.
 
I have a digital scale and the old style fat lights .Just went down and put my test weight (that came with the scale) on it came out right...then turned the lights on...No change... I don’t think they affect the scale at all
 
My Pact scale was doing strange things when I first bought it years ago and the trouble shooter from the factory told me to move it away from direct flourescent lights.
After doing so, it has worked flawlessly....
 
I have flourescent lighting in my loading room and it doesn't have a negative effect on my PACT scale...

The FM radio on my bench that WAS 18" from scale did... It caused the scale to fluctuate constantly, go out of calibration and spit out error messages.... It caused a lot of frustration until I pinpointed the issue...
 
Radio frequency interference could mess up a sensitive scale,most fluorescent produce RFI but it is weak and most manufacturers would shield the electronics otherwise it would be unstable to other sources of RFI of which there are many.To be certain try the scale with the lights on and then turn them off if there is a change in the reading:eek:
If there is a change you could run the lights from a computer power bar which have an RF choke in them.
 
Cheap scales have cheap strain gauges in them, and these may react to anything, from low frequency electric noise (motors, ballasts, etc.) as well as RF sources (radios, cell phones). I keep this stuff away from my cheap scales. I also made a metal shroud that covers most of the scale when in use, this blocks RFI and also helps eliminate air drafts from going over the scale.
 
I have an RCBS ChargeMaster in the shop with florescent lighting. Never had a problem with the unit until I needed a new ballast and had the tubes flickering. At that point when I tried to enter a load manually, the buttons got confused, so when I would push the "2" I continually got a "3". Changed the ballast and all problems solved.

I also found that by having a radio remote near the ChargeMaster caused it to act up the same way. Moved the remove about 18"away and no problems.
 
3macs1 said:
I had trouble with my scale which is why I went back to the old 1010 but not 100% sure it was the lights causing it, since there were motors all around me, like furnace, air exchanger etc. Just to add mine was also one of the 1st ones out at the time.

See what unclenick says here when you scroll down

http://www.shootersforum.com/handlo...-fluorescent-light-effects-powder-scales.html
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are reloading in a furnace room .I think a finicky scale might be the least of your problems>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom