Chargemaster Lite vs Flourescent Lights

[Hondo64d]

I have the scale part of a chargemaster 1500 on my bench (the dispenser failed years ago). The scale drifts significantly over relatively short periods of time. I can’t say for certain, but suspect it may be due to the fluorescent lights in my garage.

For those that have the Chargemaster Lite, is it adversely affected by fluorescent lights?

Thanks,

John

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That and cell phones within 20’ or so

 

[nso123]

They will cause scales to act funny. They make led replacements for the long fluorescent bulbs. I changed mine out to the led and was amazed at how my scale acted after the change. It was like a child who decided to behave.

 

[Hondo64d]

They will cause scales to act funny. They make led replacements for the long fluorescent bulbs. I changed mine out to the led and was amazed at how my scale acted after the change. It was like a child who decided to behave.

Didn’t even know they made such a thing! Will definitely be replacing my Flourescent bulbs. Thanks!

John

 

[Twoboxer]

Yes, it's likely the ballasts and operation of fluorescent lights generate RF noise that affects the strain gauge in scales like the one in the CM line. But cell phones, wireless signals, AV equipment, motors all can do the same thing.

You could test if the fluorescent is the issue by turning them off and using some portable light source temporarily. But frankly, the LED lighting available is brighter, cooler and a good idea in any case.

 

[AJC]

Costco has some good deals on the led shop lights. You get the entire fixture with bulbs for the same cost as just the bulbs if you are looking

 

[Rick300]

Costco has some good deals on the led shop lights. You get the entire fixture with bulbs for the same cost as just the bulbs if you are looking

Yep, I put 18 of them in my garage. It's brighter at night in there than in the daytime.

 

[klamathsteel]

As a 30 year radio technician by trade i have seen all of the above mentioned and them some cause RFI (radio frequency interference). Be warned that even "some" LED lights can cause problems as well. My wife bought some cheepo LED bulbs at walmart and put then in the fixture in the bathroom which is just around the hall corner from the living room. Every time we turned the lights on in the bathroom the TV in the living room would go to black screen !! Took the LED's back and got some better quality ones = (more $$) and the problem was gone. So don't cheap out when buying LED's. Flourescent lights are horrible for RFI !!

 

[rocketron]

Didn’t even know they made such a thing! Will definitely be replacing my Flourescent bulbs. Thanks!

John

if your going to use the old fixture you have to remove the balast and only power the one end.

 

[Jimmy James]

I have the 1500 and an A&D Newton 123. Keep a cell phone in my pocket, have incandescent in the reloading "closet", 8 foot fluorescent just outside the door to the closet, small analog audio system in closet and I generally have no problems with either scale. Temperature and air movement are my only issues.

 

[Bill K]

I believe all the instructions that come with all the digital scales/measures warn of Lights, phones and a lot of devices can effect them. So you must check and watch for that and use them in areas where they are not effected.

 

[F Class John]

The big exception to interference are mag force scales like the A&D series scales. They are a magnetic force restoration weighing balance instead of a strain gauge like the Chargemaster and other similar powder throws. Mag force scales aren’t affected by interference like strain gauges are (and obviously more accurate as well but do cost a fair amount more).

 

[Dusty Stevens]

if your going to use the old fixture you have to remove the balast and only power the one end.

Not if you get the right tubes. We just installed these in 63 fixtures in a substation, with some bad ballasts, and never cut a wire. The fixtures worked with these plug and play, bad ballasts and all. They were $12 a tube at the electrical supply house locally.

 

[rayporter]

I have put in a few and not had to remove the ballast

 

[Kracken McGraw]

View attachment 1090708
Not if you get the right tubes. We just installed these in 63 fixtures in a substation, with some bad ballasts, and never cut a wire. The fixtures worked with these plug and play, bad ballasts and all. They were $12 a tube at the electrical supply house locally.

Dusty, what’s the quality of light output on the led’s compared to the flourescents?

 

[AJC]

One issue that has come up that may have some bearing on the decision, is the proposed link between migraines and led lights. Might be worth a little looking on the net before you make the switch. I'm not stating this as a fact, just might be worth a look.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dusty, what’s the quality of light output on the led’s compared to the flourescents?

Feels like twice as much output. Hard to tell when removing half burned out bulbs

 

[rocketron]

dusty
did not know they made that style. i had about 50 replaced ,they removed the balast and powered one end.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

dusty
did not know they made that style. i had about 50 replaced ,they removed the balast and powered one end.

They make many styles. Most folks think you gotta remove ballast and replace tombstones because that was the first style but theyve had a bunch of upgrades over the years making it easy for any application

 

[LGKLAS]

Dusty what company makes these?