Dash Cam Radio Interference

[Smokin Joe]

Anyone had a similar problem?

I've tucked the cable under the headlining at the front and under the trim on the door pillar, maybe that is causing the problem if the lead for the roof mounted aerial follows the same route?

I've tried covering the camera itself in foil to see if it was coming from that, but no difference.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Not as yet, mine came with a sleeve thing to slide over the wiring in the event of interference. Not entirely sure what it's called though or if it even works (I fitted it)

 

[steve50]

Yes I have the same radio interference but only on the odd channel, for example i can get radio one, classical radio and classic FM all without interference but if I try to listen to local radio (the pulse) I get constant electrical interference, unplug the live feed for the camera and the static disappears completely.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Yes I have the same radio interference but only on the odd channel, for example i can get radio one, classical radio and classic FM all without interference but if I try to listen to local radio (the pulse) I get constant electrical interference, unplug the live feed for the camera and the static disappears completely.

It disappears when I unplug mine too, but that kinda negates the point of having the thing.

 

[steve50]

It disappears when I unplug mine too, but that kinda negates the point of having the thing.

Yeah, I was pretty much stating the obvious, I wonder if there is a suppression kit that can be fitted to prevent the interference?

Not as yet, mine came with a sleeve thing to slide over the wiring in the event of interference. Not entirely sure what it's called though or if it even works (I fitted it)

Do you have or can you take a picture of this sleeve thingy, I'm intrigued to see what it is.

 

[Piemaster]

Probably, sort of. I've fitted a reversing/rear view numberplate camera to the L200 - rear view is nigh on non-existent. It feeds a monitor (similar to this) that clips over the rear view mirror. Cable run is similar - door pillar and headlining. Radio antenna is centre of roof above it - all goes the same way. DAB radio is now cutting out a lot and unusable. FM is fine though.
I'll have to try unplugging it next time I'm out in it and see what happens. Only goes into a ciggy lighter anyway.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Yeah, I was pretty much stating the obvious, I wonder if there is a suppression kit that can be fitted to prevent the interference?

Do you have or can you take a picture of this sleeve thingy, I'm intrigued to see what it is.

I can go one better. I fitted mine and don't really know if it works or not (my cam is hardwired ignition live, auto record etc)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-Noise-Suppressor-Ferrite-Filters/dp/B00F4MEBKO

 

[steve50]

I can go one better. I fitted mine and don't really know if it works or not (my cam is hardwired ignition live, auto record etc)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-Noise-Suppressor-Ferrite-Filters/dp/B00F4MEBKO

Thanks, at that price its worth a shot, order placed.

 

[Smokin Joe]

[QUOTE 4530059, member: 9609"]Interference is probably from a poor quality charger. I have had two dash cams and they have both came with chargers that interfere with the radio when the reception is marginal. In both cases a good quality charger has sorted the problem.[/QUOTE]
By charger I assume you mean the thing that plugs into the cig lighter and powers the unit?

If so, can you recommend a decent one.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

By charger I assume you mean the thing that plugs into the cig lighter and powers the unit?

If so, can you recommend a decent one.

Nextbase hardwire kit, comes in mini and micro USB flavours whichever your cam requires.

***Some cars may require a mini fuse add-a-circuit

 

[Andy_R]

I can go one better. I fitted mine and don't really know if it works or not (my cam is hardwired ignition live, auto record etc)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-Noise-Suppressor-Ferrite-Filters/dp/B00F4MEBKO

The ferrite filter is an inductor and it adds inductance to the power lead, reducing the amount of EMI being emitted.

 

[Andy_R]

What's happening with the cheap charger is it more than likely doesn't have a filtering circuit. As the engine revs and the alternator spins it puts out a varying range of voltage "spikes" at quite a high frequency. This causes EMI (electro magnetic interference), especially along a long power lead. The lead starts to act like a transmitting antenna, so you need to increase the inductance of the lead to prevent this by fitting a ferrite ring. Alternatively make sure your charger has a filtering circuit onboard (which will coincidentally probably be a ferrite ring with the +ve side of the power output wrapped a few times around it).

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

What's happening with the cheap charger is it more than likely doesn't have a filtering circuit. As the engine revs and the alternator spins it puts out a varying range of voltage "spikes" at quite a high frequency. This causes EMI (electro magnetic interference), especially along a long power lead. The lead starts to act like a transmitting antenna, so you need to increase the inductance of the lead to prevent this by fitting a ferrite ring. Alternatively make sure your charger has a filtering circuit onboard (which will coincidentally probably be a ferrite ring with the +ve side of the power output wrapped a few times around it).

Or use a proper hardwire kit tapped off an ignition live circuit (as I did, I do believe mine is off window wiper circuit maintaining the standard fuse rating)

 

[NorthernDave]

I swapped the charger that came with mine for a decent quality lead that plus into the USB socket and that's helped considerably. Might be worth a try as a cheap fix, if you have a USB in the car (or get a USB thingamabob for the 12v socket)?

 

[Smokin Joe]

What's happening with the cheap charger is it more than likely doesn't have a filtering circuit. As the engine revs and the alternator spins it puts out a varying range of voltage "spikes" at quite a high frequency. This causes EMI (electro magnetic interference), especially along a long power lead. The lead starts to act like a transmitting antenna, so you need to increase the inductance of the lead to prevent this by fitting a ferrite ring. Alternatively make sure your charger has a filtering circuit onboard (which will coincidentally probably be a ferrite ring with the +ve side of the power output wrapped a few times around it).

The charger is the problem. Ran the camera with no lead and there was no interference, plugged the charger lead into the socket and even without it being connected to anything the interference returned immediately. Better quality charger now ordered from Amazon.