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HID's interfering with radio waves

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by 09_tacoma, Mar 6, 2011.

  1. Mar 6, 2011 at 12:36 PM
    #1
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    Tried the search engine on here already and came up with 0 matches.

    Here's my situation/question:

    I'm in a somewhat remote location this week so the radio stations I do have in range aren't very strong. I was driving to another village last night and came to figure out that the HID's from my aftermarket headlights are interfering with my radio. My highbeams are normal bulbs so the station comes in clear when they are on. As soon as I switch to lower beams for oncoming traffic or driving through town all I get is static for the most part. Has anyone every experienced this as well? If so, how do I remedy this (aside from getting rid of the HID's):confused:
     
  2. Mar 6, 2011 at 12:45 PM
    #2
    SmilingMark

    SmilingMark Well-Known Member

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    I suppose it's possible. The ballast is nothing more than transformer and the EM field can be pretty strong. Make sure the ballast isn't mounted anywhere near the antenna or even the fuse box or anything.

    They do make specially shielded cable for VFD motors and drives, but that's probably overkill.

    Other than that, perhaps some cassette tapes?
     
  3. Mar 6, 2011 at 12:59 PM
    #3
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    Neither ballasts are close to my fuse box. I don't believe the one on the passenger side is too close to the antenna either. Then again, I don't know the exact math to calculate how close is too close.. :cool:

    Cassette tapes?? :rofl: Thanks for the laugh;)
     
  4. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:09 PM
    #4
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    YES. when i turn on my kraigen HIDs my radio always goes fuzzy, the ballasts are inside my lights near my grill.
     
  5. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:12 PM
    #5
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    Okay, so how do I contain the frequency so it doesn't affect my antenna?


    PS, I drive 16+ hours straight multiple times a year, I get tired of listening to the same songs on my iPod over and over again. :(
     
  6. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:13 PM
    #6
    meeestirg

    meeestirg Well-Known Member

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    do you have an aftermarket sound system?
     
  7. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:15 PM
    #7
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    A couple hundred:confused:

    No, sound system is stock.
     
  8. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:19 PM
    #8
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    So what can I do about my current situation?
     
  9. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:25 PM
    #9
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    Most of the interference feeds back through the power cord, check your grounds. If the interference is air born than a well grounded outer conductive box would be required.
     
  10. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:26 PM
    #10
    meeestirg

    meeestirg Well-Known Member

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    get a HID RELAY WIRE HARNESS. they should be around $20

    usually the problem is the other way around. the sound system draws too much electricity away from the lights so they flicker or dim as your sub bumps.

    but since you have a stock sound system, im not sure what your problem is but try that harness. the HID Relay Wire Harness allows you to draw power directly from car battery instead of the stock car headlight bulb harness.

    HID RELAY WIRE HARNESS
     
  11. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:26 PM
    #11
    xodeuce

    xodeuce mmmmmmbourbon.

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    I had the same problem. Bad interference with my ham radio gear in the truck. I finally just pulled the "plug and play" HID kit out. A set of sylvania silver stars in the headlights are actually better anyway, no hot spots, and no glare.

    Not that it'll mean much if you're not familiar with ham radio, but I basically went from an S-0 noise floor to an S-9+ noise floor with the HID's on. So, basically, that's full scale on a signal strength meter. The ones I had gave off a LOT of stray RF.
     
  12. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:28 PM
    #12
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    I already have a relay for each headlight wired up.
     
  13. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:32 PM
    #13
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    The issue (I believe anyway) does not interfere with the overall running of the stereo system. The OP is not getting interference when listening to CDs for example. My understanding is that the issue that is occurring is strictly in the radio reception (My HIDs did this as well). The ballasts emit RF waves that interfere with the reception capabilities of the vehicle's radio.
     
  14. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:35 PM
    #14
    WhatThePho?

    WhatThePho? Greg Graffin 2016

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    The things required to pull bitches
    Try cleaning up the ground points, I used to have the same problems, I got a new battery with the the aux side terminals and wired all my hids to that and the interference went away.
     
    KTM753 likes this.
  15. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:36 PM
    #15
    meeestirg

    meeestirg Well-Known Member

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    oh. hmmm. i installed my HID's and i have a stock stereo system. i have no problems with the reception. i dont have relays installed. try to reinstall them without the relays?
     
  16. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:41 PM
    #16
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    The relays in this case aren't really an issue. The RF waves emit directly from the ballasts. My suggestion to the OP is to check all of your grounding points to make sure that they have good contact. If they do, mount your ballasts in a different location
     
  17. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM
    #17
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    Yeah, it's -20C outside and the sun is going down so I'm gonna pass on looking under the hood and cleaning (if required) for tonight.

    I really don't wish to change the locations of the ballasts because that, more than likely, means more holes. It doesn't affect anything when I'm in a more populated area. If there isn't a simple fix or if this in no way will cause larger problems in the long run I can deal with the bad reception.
     
  18. Mar 6, 2011 at 1:49 PM
    #18
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    What you really want to do is shield them... It's just that I don't know what would successfully block RF without being super bulky. I have been trying to think of stuff but so far, no dice.
     
  19. Mar 6, 2011 at 4:44 PM
    #19
    09_tacoma

    09_tacoma [OP] Forever at a crossroads

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    Let me know if you think of anything please and thank you.

    Does anyone else have a suggestion?
     
  20. Mar 6, 2011 at 5:15 PM
    #20
    SmilingMark

    SmilingMark Well-Known Member

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