Tricky problem that started for me this weekend. I installed a backrack and two LED light pods on my CCLB 350 and when I turn the lights on while playing the radio it gets staticy. Can anybody explain why this would happen? I have the lights on my upfitter switch #2 and the other switches have accessories but do not cause the radio static.

 

Are you powering directly off the upfitter switch, or only powering a relay with the switch?

 

Powering directly from the upfitter switch.

 

Yeah, you probably want to fix that, then. It should only take milliamps worth of current to trigger a relay. Running them right off the switch will draw a lot more current through it. As long as the switch is rated for it, it's not dangerous, but it has other undesirable effects.

 

The switch is rated for 15A i believe andthe lights are only 5A. Why would ford rate a switch for that amperage yet let it cause interference?

 

Because RFI is everywhere and they didn't feel like providing the kind of shielding and filtering required for your application?

 

The switch doesn't cause interference. It's the LED's. They are also known for interfering with TPMS operation.

 

Wow never heard of LEDs causing RFI.

 

A quick search of the forum returned seven threads other than yours on this. Here's an example: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-pressure.html

 

Upfitter switches already drive Ford Relays. No need to use a relay to drive another relay. It won't help your noise problem anyway.

Like other posters said, the LED lights are the source of your noise. Depending on the design of the LED driver circuitry, it could either be radiating Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) or conducting electrical noise back through the truck's electrical system and you're hearing it through the radio.

 

Sort of sucks that they do it but I guess Im stuck with it

 

Yep WHS^^^^^ Some brands of LED's will do this....Could be the cheaper makes that do this who knows....I have Philips LED's in my headlights, fog lights, tail lights and marker lights with no problems with radio interference.

 

I'll just deal with turning the radio when I use them or hook up my ipod

 

You could look into an RFI filter. There are several inexpensive ones on Amazon. Also Popular Mechanics has a reasonable article on it as well. Curing Radio Noise