Electrical "interference" question

[MikeP]

We installed a new GE Advantium oven in the galley. Whenever we turn on the galley overhead 120VAC lights, the oven beeps and goes into the waiting for you to enter time or temp mode. If you do nothing it then resets to "off." The oven and lights are on different circuits so I'm not understanding why this is happening. The coffee maker is on the same circuit but when it is turned on/off there is no reaction from the oven. The oven otherwise works normally.

I can't figure out what's going on; can anyone else?

 

[Boatnut]

Are the lights florescent? Florescent lights are noise generators, also talk to GE about it, the circuitry should handle the noise problem. You might try turning on the lights then setting the stove and see what happens. These lights draw the most current when first turned on.

 

[TopHattandTails]

You sure your getting 120 to the stove? If you not getting 240 into the boat, you might be on the low side if tolerance to the stove.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

It`s called `:so you got a new stove syndrome `` which means the gremlins come in and bug you for weeks until you read the manufacturers instructions that tells you to remove all the shipping labels ...

 

[MikeP]

Checked both suggestions...

119.6 VAC at oven.

Called GE...the techs first question was, "How close is that florescent light?"

As Boatnut pointed out, the Tech noted that some light fixture ballasts are better than others as far as EMF is concerned. I asked if the oven itself had some sort of shielding and he said yes but it's possible depending on distance/angle/etc, a poorly made ballast can cause this. I told him that although it usually happens when turning on the light, it doesn't always occur. "I'm not surprised" was his response.

Surely it can't be a poor quality light fixture/ballast, it's a genuine "Made in China" product!



The Advantium oven is quite high on the wall so it's fairly close to the florescent light compared with our old microwave which sat on the counter. Still, I have to say I would expect the oven (made in Korea) to be shielded sufficiently to preclude such a problem regardless of the proximity/quality of florescent light fixture.

I guess I'll just ignore it. It doesn't have any affect if the oven is running and the light is turned on, only when the oven is not in use.

Seems to be some sort of florescent light bad-karma thing going on for me right now...

 

[Boatnut]

Mike,

If you can't figure it out by now, let me tell you there is not much that is more interesting to me than figuring out a wierd electronic problem. LOL

A couple of things for what it is worth. Get an extension cord and try plugging the stove into different out lets. I am assuming your stove is 120 volts. Also try wrapping the power cord to the stove in aluminum foil (sounds crazy but it works).

 

[z28jimi]

Also try wrapping the power cord to the stove in aluminum foil (sounds crazy but it works).

That's really not so crazy...as soon as I put my aluminum foil hat on, the voices stop.

 

[MikeP]

"Get an extension cord and try plugging the stove into different out lets. I am assuming your stove is 120 volts. Also try wrapping the power cord to the stove in aluminum foil (sounds crazy but it works)."

Have to admit I'm interested as well. The oven is mounted in a cabinet that makes it difficult to get to the power cable and I'm winterizing then leaving the boat in a few days so I don't think I'll get to that but it'll be on the list when I come back in the spring.

"That's really not so crazy...as soon as I put my aluminum foil hat on, the voices stop."

Yeah...my problem is that they don't stop, with or without the hat...

 

[TopHattandTails]

Wrap the ballast in foil.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

I think wrapping anything electrical that emits heat, is a bit risky.