Light bar causing radio interference
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 169
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Light bar causing radio interference
I installed a 12" light bar recently. It is wired to an upfitter switch, and grounded to the frame near the bar, which is mounted where the front license plate goes. The light was a cheap one from Amazon, but it works great with once exception. When I turn the light on, it causes interference (static) with the FM radio. No problems with satellite. I've read that some type of RF "filter" can be installed to eliminate this, but have precious few details on what, where, how to do that. Anyone have any ideas?
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 737
Likes: 13
Not sure specifically on the Ford, but on a couple of aftermarket installations I had, I had to run a separate filter for each channel back to the kicker 4 channel amp I had. Chances are, by the time you're done adding filters, it would have been cheaper to buy a quality light bar with built in shielding.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 803
Likes: 103
I installed a 12" light bar recently. It is wired to an upfitter switch, and grounded to the frame near the bar, which is mounted where the front license plate goes. The light was a cheap one from Amazon, but it works great with once exception. When I turn the light on, it causes interference (static) with the FM radio. No problems with satellite. I've read that some type of RF "filter" can be installed to eliminate this, but have precious few details on what, where, how to do that. Anyone have any ideas?
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
Try replacing the cheapo light bar with a quality LED light from KC Hilites. The cheapo LED light bar on my work truck doesn't put nearly as much light as my KC lights on my F250. They also put out a much more even pattern whereas the cheapo light bar has a washed out too bright center. The higher you mount the light the better it will illuminate the ground in front of you, this won't make a difference on your radio noise. That is caused by cheap electronics.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 21
From: MA
Originally Posted by StonedGrey
Try running the light bar ground directly to the negative battery terminal.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 803
Likes: 103
Try replacing the cheapo light bar with a quality LED light from KC Hilites. The cheapo LED light bar on my work truck doesn't put nearly as much light as my KC lights on my F250. They also put out a much more even pattern whereas the cheapo light bar has a washed out too bright center. The higher you mount the light the better it will illuminate the ground in front of you, this won't make a difference on your radio noise. That is caused by cheap electronics.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
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< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 768
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From: Fallon, Nevada
This! Ground directly to the battery negative terminal first. If that does not work then you can try the RF chokes, but that's no guaranteed solution either.. Lesser light bars have LED driver circuits that can be very noisy. You may end up chasing your tail trying to quell the noise. Ultimately the solution may end up being the purchase of a better light bar. Good luck.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,676
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From: Wyoming
The cheapo LED bulbs I used in my RV trailer messed with the trailer's radio reception. They may also have affected my cell signal. I ended up replacing the entire fixtures and they came with a better (different?) quality bulb that didn't cause radio reception issues.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
If you are getting RF then your source could be from the bulbs, wiring, transformer or the ballast. It used to be a real issue at one time. Especially in Corvettes with its fiberglass body, so the spark plug wires were enclosed in metal sheathing and there was a large metal box covering the distributor-points and coil...if any of that means anything to you.
If you are using LED, then this is not a rare occurrence with the cheap ones..
Try an EMI filter:
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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Life has taught me that to often many step over dollars in order to pick up pennies.
Back my day you could go into a Auto parts store and see a jillion things that said 'fits all cars' or "Universal fit" . I learned to throw that stuff down. Universal Fit just means it fits NOTHING in this universe...
Back my day you could go into a Auto parts store and see a jillion things that said 'fits all cars' or "Universal fit" . I learned to throw that stuff down. Universal Fit just means it fits NOTHING in this universe...
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
So from my experience you can live with the cheapo light bar because it's not really causing that much trouble, or you can upgrade your lighting and see what a difference it makes.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 169
Likes: 7
Not that it matters, but I have 4 other "cheap" LED lights from Amazon (Auxbeam is the brand - same as my new light bar) - 2 back up lights, 2 undercarriage side lights, that were wired the same way and none of those cause any interference. I have been quite happy with all of them. I will certainly put a little effort into making what I have work before I spend $200 for a new light. I'll try wiring the ground directly to the negative battery terminal, and if that doesn't help, will try the RF filters. Appreciate everyone's input.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
Great...I would like to find out what solves the problem.
Not everyone needs fancy lights, depends on what you are doing with the truck. I like the distance the KC lights provide because I do some off road racing and this F250 spends time on remote rural roads with no or very little traffic.
Not everyone needs fancy lights, depends on what you are doing with the truck. I like the distance the KC lights provide because I do some off road racing and this F250 spends time on remote rural roads with no or very little traffic.