↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > New LEDs - DAB meltdown!
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
MussEd



Member Since: 20 Feb 2013
Location: East Lothian
Posts: 354
Scotland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Baltic Blue
New LEDs - DAB meltdown!
So yesterday I fitted new RDX LED indicators front and rear, also some matching tail/brake lights and a high level brake light. At the same time I fitted ferrite clip ons to try and mitigate against interference with DAB radio (JVC KD-X561DBT head unit)

Well whilst all lights worked perfectly and look great (IMO) there isn’t just some interference, the whole thing just loses signal altogether. Tbh the radio has been prone to dropping signal since it was fitted a while back but this is unusable. I fitted the clips as small as I could get away with on each light and tried to get them as close to the light as possible.

What successful solutions have people found? Encapsulating all wires within clip? Multi loops of individual wire in bigger clips? Multiple clips in a line for each light? Would a new DAB aerial(ie Nakatanenga) help?

Any ideas would be gratefully received!
Post #874781 27th Dec 2020 11:59am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1845
 
Are you 100% sure it's the LEDs causing the radio problem?

My car (1994) clearly has old-school basic wiring, but I have a DAB head unit, and the RDX led indicators, and there is no issue.

I initially had one of the little 'stick on' aerials inside the windscreen - up here, where the DAB signal can be patchy, reception was hit and miss. I then fitted a proper powered aerial on the roof, combining FM and DAB, and the reception is excellent.

It just strikes me you could be chasing a fault that doesn't exist?

OTOH if you have a newer car, with more modern electrics that are susceptible to this kind of interference, then maybe all of the above is irrelevant? Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #874808 27th Dec 2020 4:16pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
mini Anaconda



Member Since: 23 Aug 2016
Location: Thames Valley
Posts: 784
United Kingdom 
I'm not sure what the solution is, but the same happened to me when I fitted LED reverse lights to my Discovery (no issues with interferance before this).
As I only use reverse for parking not a great issue but interested to hear the solution from others. Thumbs Up BORG - Bucks & Oxon 4x4 Response Group
Post #874829 27th Dec 2020 5:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MussEd



Member Since: 20 Feb 2013
Location: East Lothian
Posts: 354
Scotland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Baltic Blue
donmacn wrote:
Are you 100% sure it's the LEDs causing the radio problem?

My car (1994) clearly has old-school basic wiring, but I have a DAB head unit, and the RDX led indicators, and there is no issue.

I initially had one of the little 'stick on' aerials inside the windscreen - up here, where the DAB signal can be patchy, reception was hit and miss. I then fitted a proper powered aerial on the roof, combining FM and DAB, and the reception is excellent.

It just strikes me you could be chasing a fault that doesn't exist?

OTOH if you have a newer car, with more modern electrics that are susceptible to this kind of interference, then maybe all of the above is irrelevant?


Mine is a 2013 Puma. Live in E Lothian and work in Edinburgh so DAB coverage is as good as can be Expected. In fact it was fine before installing these LEDs. You can hear it kicking in when you flick on the sidelights or press the brake pedal...I’m considering the dedicated aerial but worried shelling out £75 will be money wasted if the issue persists.
Post #874855 27th Dec 2020 7:53pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MussEd



Member Since: 20 Feb 2013
Location: East Lothian
Posts: 354
Scotland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Baltic Blue
So after a really too strong cup of coffee this evening I determined to go out and get to the bottom
of this. After a process of elimination, I confirmed it was indeed the LED front sidelights causing the interference/loss of DAB signal. Nearly took them out on the spot, but thought one last try.

Stuck ferrite clips right behind the lights, then another behind the ‘radio side’ of the loom. Interference gone.
Post #874875 27th Dec 2020 10:45pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
<  Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums