Dash cam messing up HD radio-any input?

Hey guys,

So I recently installed a dash cam and I wired it with a fuse tap so it comes on with the ignition. Everything is working fine (turns on and shuts off when I turn truck on/off and records fine), but now my HD radio channels aren't coming in HD anymore. I imagine it's interference of some sort, but can't figure out why it would affect that or what to do to fix it.

Originally I fuse tapped into the "ACC" fuse. Then tried the "IGN" fuse to see if it would make a difference. Then tried the "WSH" fuse also. All three caused the same interference. I even stepped the fuse down to 3amp thinking maybe less power draw would stop the interference. Didn't work. If I unplug the dash cam, HD radio signal comes back immediately.

Any thoughts?

 

My guess is that you have some radiated (or possibly conducted) interference from the dash cam. The fuse size is irrelevant. The routing of the wiring could have an effect. Try moving the wires as far from the radio wiring as possible. The other alternative would involve installing electronic filters or shielding, probably something someone with electronic experience should look into.

 

The problem is probably (unfortunately) "Made in China". The problem with electronics that are made "on the cheap" is that little or no attention is paid to interference that is caused by those electronics. In particular, anything with an oscillator (which means anything digital) will produce some kind of oscillating RF output, which if at the wrong frequency, can mess with all kinds of things.

Try this, very ugly, trick; get yourself some aluminum foil, and wrap that dashcam up in it. Start by wrapping up the ENTIRE thing, including over the lens. Take a length of wire, connect it electrically to the aluminum foil, and the other end to the car's chassis. If that clears the interference, then found the culprit. You may be able to trim the foil around the lens to make it work, while blocking enough of the interference to let the radio work.

If it doesn't work, you can extend the aluminum foil down the full length of the camera's power wire.

 

try putting a ferrite bead on the wire. I'm having the same problem with my LED light bars, I ran the wire up the right A-pillar which i believe is also where the antenna coax is. My recommendation would be to run the video line down the left a-pillar and put a ferrite bead on that line.

 

Thanks guys. I'm getting similar advice from some locals here in San Diego. I already ran the wire down the driver-side pillar, but I'm going to try some of these methods and will report back.