Radio Interference from HID Kit

[jboult]

I recently fitted a kit from HIDS4U - easy install and a huge difference. Unfortunately I now get a slight buzz on FM radio channels (worse when the lights are first switched on, then settling down but still audible).

Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if so have they managed to fix it?

Cheers/John

 

[Sundeep]

ORIGINAL: jboult

I recently fitted a kit from HIDS4U - easy install and a huge difference. Unfortunately I now get a slight buzz on FM radio channels (worse when the lights are first switched on, then settling down but still audible).

Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if so have they managed to fix it?

Cheers/John

normal, as when you turn them on they run at circa 30,000's volts to get going, so some interference is expected especially if you run the weaker Porsche OEM radio units

 

[jboult]

All,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The immediate interference is not a problem, as it settles very quickly, it's the fact that even when the ballasts have stabilised there is still some hissing. The head unit is aftermarket (Alpine) and I've never had problems before so it's definitely the lights.

I contacted HIDS4U and they had a couple of suggestions - one was to swap the ballasts over and the other was to wrap the high voltage lead in aluminium tape, so I guess this is something others have come across. Has anyone tried this?

Cheers/John

 

[zrcg1]

I dont suffer from any interference on FM with mine, but AM is wiped out ..... I've had to install a DAB head unit which is an auxilliary source.

Head unit is the Alpine 6835, HIDS4U kit also.

 

[xenon]

Screen the HT lead with foil (or proper EMI mesh-metal sleeve) and earth the sleeve. That'll do it.

 

[Mark Elder]

I have HIDS4U kit (the older big one from a year ago - not the compact one).

Sometime hear a slight hiss on startup - only

Where did you put the ballasts? The suggestion of putting them in the boot space (in the FAQ on here) means there is less metal shielding between them and the dash area where the radio and antenna are situated. I put my ballasts in the wings in the space behind the headlight units.

Just a thought.

 

[jboult]

Mark,

The ballasts are in the space behind the lamps, cable tied to some pipework. I'm going to try screening the cables as suggested by HIDS4U and Ian above - I'll let you all know how it goes!

Cheers/John

 

[xenon]

John - if the ballasts themselves are not screwed on to the chassis / bodywork, you might like to make a small earthing lead to the case of each - but I think screening the cable will work.

 

[jboult]

Ian,

Good idea - the ballasts are effectively insulated with bubble wrap (they don't seem to run hot enough to worry), so that could be the root of the problem. I'll earth them first and see what happens...

Cheers/John

 

[Mark Elder]

John,
Mine are also wrapped in bubble-wrap and cable-tied - so no earth - but will be interesting to see if that solves it.
Mark

 

[jboult]

Quick update for those still interested - shielded the cables and very little improvement. Will try earthing the ballasts next. Watch this space...

Cheers/John

 

[xenon]

That's a shame []. Did you attach whatever you screened it with to earth?

 

[jboult]

Ian,

Not yet - that's this weekend's job! It may be obvious once I poke around, but if anyone has advice on the best earthing point behind the lamps it may save me some fiddling.

Cheers/John

 

[xenon]

I think if you just wrapped some shielding around the cable (foil??) but didn't actually ground the shield the shield won't do all that much. I don't own a 993 (more's the pity) so I don't know a good earthing point.

 

[Johnny C]

My Aceparts HIDs don't generate any interference at all.

I've also got an Alpine head unit, no idea which, but it's crap, you can't pick up any AM channels at all whether the lights are on or off, all it picks up on Long Wave is a buzz proportional to the engine revs. Fortunately I don't listen to AM anyway