LED lights causing radio interference

Snowman9000 · 01-05-2016, 07:23 PM

We may have discussed this before on this forum. Anyway, I made a video to show how bad it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfRb2kPSzbQ

These are the stock lights by Command Electronics. I have emailed them about it, and hope they have a fix. Has anyone else had this issue?

Bluepill · 01-05-2016, 07:38 PM

Yeah, AM is very susceptible to interference. The LED electronics create a lot of RF noise, and the unshielded wiring to your fixtures acts as an antenna. It maybe possible to to add RF interference filters at the fixtures to block the radiation of the noise.

Google it for info and sources.

**Bama Rambler** · 01-06-2016, 12:49 PM

I've thought about adding ferrite chokes to see if it would help, but haven't done it yet.

Snowman9000 · 01-06-2016, 02:58 PM

The manufacturer of the lights tells me they are expecting in some revised replacement boards next month.

**Flybob** · 01-06-2016, 03:06 PM

Most LED lights today contain dirve circuitry in addition to the LED chip itself. That circuitry uses RF type frequencies to boost the voltage and current. The problem arises when the manufacturer uses ultra low cost poorly designed components to save money. Those components radiate the RF which then interferes with AM,FM and TV signals. In this case, it sounds like the manufacturer has acknowledged the problem and is correcting it. If you buy aftermarket LED modules be sure to check one for RF noise before you buy and install them all.

Snowman9000 · 01-06-2016, 04:52 PM

I will say that on the past 3 RVs I bought cheap, unregulated replacement LED "bulbs" for the 921 and 1156 lamp fittings, and none of them behaved like this.

jst3 · 01-06-2016, 07:47 PM

I'd be happy to have any AM reception in my 2015 Sunseeker 2700. Even if the lights had to be off. I get that static all the time. We have to carry a portable radio to pick up any AM stations - even the local one in town.

Snowman9000 · 01-06-2016, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst3

I'd be happy to have any AM reception in my 2015 Sunseeker 2700. Even if the lights had to be off. I get that static all the time. We have to carry a portable radio to pick up any AM stations - even the local one in town.

Do you have solar panels by any chance?

Also, you could try turning off AC breakers one at a time to see what happens. Then do the same with the DC fuses.

jst3 · 01-07-2016, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman9000

Do you have solar panels by any chance?

Also, you could try turning off AC breakers one at a time to see what happens. Then do the same with the DC fuses.

No solar panels. It's been like that since day one.

I never thought of interference from within the coach. I'll give that a try next summer.

nothermark · 01-07-2016, 05:02 PM

FWIW It has been an issue with Amateur Radio Operators for quite a while. The basic problem is that the Chinese manufacturers of the power limiting circuitry are not providing the noise suppression they are required to under US law. It has become enough of an issue that the gummint is getting involved. The supplies are supposed to pass certification tests to be sold here. As I understand it the factory does the testing and certifies they meet specifications. Somehow they are not getting the idea that saying they do means that they do.

FWIW 2 LED's generally operate in the range around 3 VDC. Power dropping/current limiting resistors are quiet but waste a lot of power as heat. The switching regulators used are much more efficient but have a very fast rise and fall time with harmonics well above AM radio. It takes a few extra parts to slow the rise and fall times thus losing some efficiency while quieting the system significantly.

benagi · 01-08-2016, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst3

I'd be happy to have any AM reception in my 2015 Sunseeker 2700. Even if the lights had to be off. I get that static all the time. We have to carry a portable radio to pick up any AM stations - even the local one in town.

Sounds like your antenna wire in the back of the radio isn't connected. Ours is in the shop right now getting warranty work done and one thing on the list is to find out where the antenna wire is for the bunk room radio. We have static also, so first thing I did was check the antenna wire and there wasn't one.

rockfarmer · 01-08-2016, 10:57 AM

We do not notice the RF interference on the radio but do have interference with tv stations - especially if it is weak signal. We put LED replacement bulbs in the bathroom and the tv antenna is only about 3 feet away from those LED's.

youroo · 01-08-2016, 11:06 AM

F/R replaced Lots of LED light fixtures in the Past because of TV inteference! Some Members put the Throw away LEDs in their Campers!

Youroo!!

jst3 · 01-08-2016, 11:32 PM

We've been camping and received TV stations perfectly clear during the day - then at night they won't come in at all. Never considered interference from the lights. Something else to test next summer...

shooter2 · 03-23-2016, 07:33 PM

Another source of RFI can be the power converter. We had seiver RFI while using any 12vdc , lights or charging usb from 12vdc plugs, charging ( even while in storage with just the house batteries trickle charged by the converter ) house batteries while boon docking.
Took the old open every breaker/ fuse one at a time to not find it untill all breakers/ fuses were open and still had the RFI. I vanished only when the AC main breaker was tripped or AC cord unpluged. The source was when the less than low end power converter was under even as little load as 1 led bulb. I replaced the converter with a medium priced 4 stage converter and have not had any interferance since. I do have a HF, UHF,VHF ham radio installed in the unit and have no RFI problems since the converter replacement.

TheLutter · 09-26-2016, 11:03 AM

We have the same problem of not getting any FM stations through the sound bar. Looking through all the literature it seems that the fm antenna might not be attached. I would like to remove the sound bar to check but don't' want to break it. Am I missing some way to remove it from its niche above my fireplace. 2016 Crusader 322res.

Snowman9000 · 10-15-2016, 04:09 PM

OP here. Command Electronics sent me replacement fixtures earlier this year. I finally got around to putting them in. They solved the problem. I can listen to AM radio, with no RFI.

Dwilli · 02-05-2017, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLutter

We have the same problem of not getting any FM stations through the sound bar. Looking through all the literature it seems that the fm antenna might not be attached. I would like to remove the sound bar to check but don't' want to break it. Am I missing some way to remove it from its niche above my fireplace. 2016 Crusader 322res.

Did you ever figure it out? I'm having the same problem and can't find a way to get behind the sound bar to check the antenna!!!!

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