Radio Static After Fitting A set Of Illuminator LED Lights

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

Hi all,

Recently fitted a set of Illuminator 9" LED driving lights. I'm now an LED convert as they out perform my old IPF900XS lights.

The problem is, I now get a lot of electrical interference noise through the radio on AM channels.

I used a Narva driving light harness and wired everything up as per instructions.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of the interference? Will fitting a resistor in somewhere help?

Dobbo.

[Hogey66 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hogey66]

I had similar issues with a set of Big Red LEDs. Googling didn't get me very far so contacted the manufacturer. They suggested to make sure the wiring to the spot lights is seperated from any aerial cables, including uhf. Tried that and a few other things with no success so they sent me new set of lights as the design had changed due to this problem. Fitted them up and all was good.......unless the engine was running. Back to the drawing board and tried ferrite chokes on the aerial cable with no success. Last line of defence was a 12v power filter ( https://www.jaycar.com.au/10a-dc-noi...3074/quickView ). This worked but only if fitted between the relay and the lights. Fitted on the supply side of the relay it did reduce the problem but not eradicate it. Just for shits and giggles I then fitted it to my 90 series which by then had the original set of spots on the front and it cured that one as well so it was of to Jaycar for a second filter.

[GXL.15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GXL.15]

Make sure the spotties are properly grounded as close as possible to location, I.e on the bullbar or close by.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

you could also try ferrite beads or rings as close as possible to the lights on the power cables.

If they are well designed they should generate noise, I would also go back to the manufacture
and tell them the lights are generating RF interference and they shouldn't be as them subtly if
they comply with the relevant Australian standards with regards to not radiating RF noise?

[Hogey66 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hogey66]

you could also try ferrite beads or rings as close as possible to the lights on the power cables.

I tried the ferrite beads both on aerial cables and light cables right next to the lights. No luck with either but the filter sorted it out perfectly. The only time I get static now is in areas of poor reception.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Fitting the beads to the antenna cable won't make any difference as it is a coaxial cable,
besides the fact if you choke the RF you also loose your radio signal

Not that it matters as you have solved your problem but did you try a few turns on ferrite
rings?

[Hogey66 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hogey66]

Yeah tried that, also earthed as close as possible to the lights themselves. Moved the wiring and relay to the drivers side for the lights as the antenna cable is on the left. Must say I was pretty happy when the filter also fixed the problem on the original lights as well, as the static was definitely worse with them than the replacements they sent me.