I have replaced my spotlights with a Led Light Bar, as well I changed the relay that came with the Led light, now when the light is on static comes through the radio. Anyone have any idea what I have to do to fix it ? Many Thanks
Mike Harding said
10:57 AM Jun 16, 2018
Yep, remove the light bar :)
The light bar LEDs are being driven by a switch-mode power supply unit and it is the rapid changes in current caused by this PSU which is generating interference which is either being conducted into your radio via its 12V supply or picked up by its antenna as radio waves... or both.
The first thing to do is ensure the light bar has a DC feed from as close to the battery as possible - ideally a wire directly to the battery positive and another to the battery negative. If the radio and light are both being taken from the same 12V feed line then the radio may well be "seeing" variations in its 12V caused by the light.
The next step is to try some ferrits such as these:
And apply them to the 12V feeds to both the light and radio. Wind the cable around them two or three times if space allows.
If that doesn't fix it things become more complicated.
Dougwe said
12:40 PM Jun 16, 2018
Hi KIm,
I too replaced two spots with a bar back around March this year and now have a 23" light bar fitted to the front of the Collie and both Pos and Neg is wired direct to battery with in-line fuse and I have no interference anywhere. The bar is much brighter for further up the road and to both sides, I was shocked how much better it is.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:38 AM Jun 17, 2018
A couple of years ago, I replaced my 8" driving lights with an 18" long LED bar - didn't have any interference problems. I simply wired it into the pre-existing wiring minus one relay - did it to increase the amount of air going through the grill to keep my aux battery (slightly) cooler. As well the access to adjust them was woeful.
Like Doug, I was amazed as to how bright they were - distance could be a little better (not as long as what the pamphlet said) but I cannot see my headlight pattern on high beam at all!
Likewise, the Philips daylight running lights that I added last year are (almost) as bright as my lights on low beam!! I suppose they would be if the reflectors were bigger & they pointed down on to the road. Had "cheapies" ($50) on before but one burnt out!
Paintar said
09:03 PM Jun 17, 2018
Thanks for the replies and info guys I will try it all and see how I go.
Many Thanks
Hi All
I have replaced my spotlights with a Led Light Bar, as well I changed the relay that came with the Led light, now when the light is on static comes through the radio. Anyone have any idea what I have to do to fix it ? Many Thanks
Yep, remove the light bar :)
The light bar LEDs are being driven by a switch-mode power supply
unit and it is the rapid changes in current caused by this PSU which
is generating interference which is either being conducted into your
radio via its 12V supply or picked up by its antenna as radio waves...
or both.
The first thing to do is ensure the light bar has a DC feed from as
close to the battery as possible - ideally a wire directly to the
battery positive and another to the battery negative. If the radio
and light are both being taken from the same 12V feed line then the
radio may well be "seeing" variations in its 12V caused by the light.
The next step is to try some ferrits such as these:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10X-For-5MM-USB-Cable-EMI-RFI-Noise-Ferrite-Beads-Split-Core-Choke-Clip-Filter/122849651789?epid=12008512574&hash=item1c9a68ec4d:g:W6YAAOSwX5ZbF1hJ
And apply them to the 12V feeds to both the light and radio. Wind the
cable around them two or three times if space allows.
If that doesn't fix it things become more complicated.
I too replaced two spots with a bar back around March this year and now have a 23" light bar fitted to the front of the Collie and both Pos and Neg is wired direct to battery with in-line fuse and I have no interference anywhere. The bar is much brighter for further up the road and to both sides, I was shocked how much better it is.
Like Doug, I was amazed as to how bright they were - distance could be a little better (not as long as what the pamphlet said) but I cannot see my headlight pattern on high beam at all!
Likewise, the Philips daylight running lights that I added last year are (almost) as bright as my lights on low beam!! I suppose they would be if the reflectors were bigger & they pointed down on to the road. Had "cheapies" ($50) on before but one burnt out!
Many Thanks