Can anyone say, "spark-gap transmitter"? Just what you would expect, a broad-band RF transmitting device. At many watts, no less...

Heck, I'm surprised the FCC doesn't require an operator's license to use HIDs. I'm even more surprised that the cheap ballast manufacturers get any kind of type approval, either. Actually, they probably don't bother, and just haven't been caught yet...

Our fiberglass core support doesn't help much, either!

If I were doing it, I suspect I would use ferrite beads a few places during the install, though it's going to be tough to suppress all of the emitted RF.

All Electronics is a good source of supply for all kinds of ferrite. I am blessed with them being a local source for me, at about five miles. I buy all kinds of stuff from them: magnets, switches, relays, capacitors, resistors, fans, shrink sleeving, wire, etc... They have a fun catalog to look through.

Pop

 

Marv, would you put the beads on the wiring harness for the ballasts? please expand on this as I no nothing...........

 

Sure I would, and the wires that go out to the bulbs, too.

The ferrite tends to "absorb" the RF component on the wires, especially at higher frequencies, leaving the DC completely alone to pass.

Clean, and very short, ballast ground wires are important, too. As short as possible.

Pop

 

Reps sent Marv! That's what I was leaning towards, isolate the RF at the source. Makes sense to me anyhow.
Need to order me some more beads!

 

If the cheap HID ballast manufacturers subscribe to the standards for igniting, and keeping lit, an HID, they are supplying it with somewhere around a hundred volts at half an amp in "run" mode.

That current is a square wave, reversing polarity to avoid the continuous etching of only one electrode inside the bulb. Even though the square waves are usually in the audible range, remember that square waves are defined as a sine wave to which is added an infinite number of odd harmonics. That's where we get into the frequency range where RF transmission occurs. "Infinite" goes a long way up into the spectrum!

I'd love to see the research that the guys at Lexus and BMW did in the early years in the run-up to the initial HID introduction. We are, in essence, fighting some of those same challenges all over again when we use cheaper ballasts.

Maybe the FCC will begin to tighten up its requirements for spurious emissions, and solve it for us. Or maybe not.......

Pop

 

I need to order some too, since I still have to install my HID's.

Stewart

 

I may have to as well... I guess I'll find out this weekend when/if I get my tunes.

 

I will post up the specs on the exact beads I used tonight. For anyone interested in purchasing them in the future. I mailed out about 20 of them and need to order some more myself.

 

I had gotten past the motor kill/ stumble a few months ago but even with the ferrite beads my ABS light and my speedo are still affected when initial startup. Maybe I will start placing them on the ballast power wires as well. Maybe lead wrap on the ballasts.

 

Post up a link to the place ya got 'em bro, and which ones I'll need.

I plan on ordering a few.

Stewart

 

I think they're in post one Stewart. Not a bad price.

 

Wow, never even saw the link and I've been following this thread from the git go.

Thanks Jeff.

Stewart

 

These are the exact ones I used:
0443164151 Fair-Rite EMI/RFI Suppressors & Ferrites

, this one is for Ethernet, rated at 250 ohm @ 100 MHZ and 305 ohm @ 250 MHZ

If you are looking to bead the power side, use these

0444164281 Fair-Rite EMI/RFI Suppressors & Ferrites

 

Sterwart, shoot me your mailing address: to satma8@gmail.com

I'll send you one.

 

Well, I just installed my DP Tuner tonight, have had HID's in the fogs for quite a while now. I remember reading about this issue when I was doing my research for the tuner. I've been cursed with the same engine stalling issue as well. I registered here tonight because I figured it was about time, and wanted to specifically thank the OP for posting this. I'll be ordering the beads tomorrow. Thanks again!