How quiet is this ballast when running? I really can't stand any humming from florescent lights.
2004832
I didn't notice any unusual Buzz when I first powered up the unit in my shop. My opinion is is the noise level is normal....
401819
The switch itself does not ever emit a noise that I can hear. The actual bulbs though, (I am using dimmable LED bulbs) will start to flicker slightly and emit a slight buzzing noise when this dimmer is turned below ~35%. I am able to safely dim down to 40% without any flickering or buzzing whatsoever.
1699291
I have have the CFL bulb with no issues but I have not tried it with separately ballasted tubes. I love this thing, at first I couldn't stand the thought that it was on when I left the room but 2 minutes later it is off. I am thinking of getting the type that mounts at the switch plate for the garage, comes on when you pull in and turns off AFTER you leave.
1028738
It is very quiet. All I hear is a low hum when I am next to it and it is running. Remember, it is under water when it is running.
1665954
It does make a sound but its barely audible. I leave mine in my master bathroom and cannot hear it when its running. If I'm standing next to it, I can hear a very faint hum.
208944
Ours makes a small cyclic hum. You can hear it. It doesn't bother me, but everyone has different tolerances.
1612437
I'm not sure... We've never had that problem. Could be in the ballast. I suggest contacting the manufacturer.
2060869
There is a very very quiet hum. I cannot hear it unless my put the timer to my ear.
769595
There is a hum when it starts then it fades away. I use these in our vacation rental house as a quite alternative heat choice for our visitors. I also use this make in customers houses, our main house and my wife's store. I do not find them noisy.
952448
The buzzing is only present when the backlight is less than 10. I believe its the flourescent bulb buzzing similar to when typical flourescent bulbs are used with a dimmer. I haven't found the sound to be any louder than the fan/hard drive in my Tivo so I'm not worried about it.
1825227
I had the same problem. I replaced the bulb. It works for a while. Now it is going off and then back on again. I believe the ballast may be bad.
245561
It has a low hum, but the noise is not bothersome. I haven't noticed a light flashing when low or empty... I think it just turns off.
401818
None of my dimmers make any noticeable noise. Some incandescent bulbs can be noisy when dimmed, especially when first turned on. Buzzing at the switch can indicate a wiring issue or improper usage - driving a non-dimmable fluorescent or an inductive load like a fan with one of these could certainly cause noise, and is not recommended in any case.
2248449
Yep, should work fine. I'm no engineer, so I don't know if running with only one light will cause wear on the ballast or anything like that. You could always get 2 different lights (like one 'moon' light, or something like that) to tweak the spectrum and/or reduce the light output, if that's what you are trying to do.
1883393
The heater makes a quite audible hum, like a fluorescent light. Quieter on low, and louder on high. I love this heater except for the hum. I bought it to use in a meditation house and the hum is distracting. I intend to keep it, however, and use it elsewhere because it is a really good heater. But NOT SILENT as some have said.
855884
play around with the ballast connections. when i setup mine, ballast connectors caused the same issue.
1313937
It does buzz ever so slightly. It actually sounds like power transistors oscillating (like high frequency switching). Anyway, it makes it dependent on the load. The cleaner the item being switched, the less noise. I had a lamp w/ a bad bulb, and it made more more noise than when I switched to a different bulb. Honestly, I really don't notice it unless I'm really looking. It's a great switch.