Hids Causing Interference To Cb

pwall · March 23, 2007

Just installed a set of 8K HIDs on my truck. Absolutely fantastic! The Sylvania Silverstar Ultras for the highbeam now appear yellow. ;)

Anyways, turned on the CB radio tonight and wow....the noise, 9+ on the meter. The radio does have ANL/NB to remove static and interference and works very well. Generally, the radio is dead silent.

I know it's the HIDs causing the noise. If the lights are off, CB radio is quiet as a mouse, turn on the lights, gotta turn off the CB.

Any suggestions ??

SoCalChris · March 26, 2007

Where are you getting the power for the CB? Did you tap into a wire somewhere, or is it wired directly to the battery?

I've got my CB hooked up to the switched power source in the MID BEC, and I don't get any noise from my lights. However, I do get noise from the horn. I've been told that hooking the power directly to the battery will eliminate this, but I haven't tried as it isn't that big of a deal to me.

pwall · March 27, 2007

Thanks for the repsonse Chris.

I get the power for the CB directly from the power outlet (ie cigarrette plug). I know this isn't the best power source but it's been fine for 5 years.

I only get the interference when I turn on the headlights after I changed them over to HID.

today I turned on the CB and the headlights, which gives me 9+ on the meter, unplugged the antenna and the noise went away. So...thinking then that it's not coming thru the power, but more RF interferance perhaps.

Is there anything I can get to put on the antenna plug to help with noise? From my CB days years ago I'm doubtful, but hey, gotta ask.

Thanks!

ENTROPY · March 28, 2007

Far be it from me about the High Standards in manufacturing used in China and there slave labor camps. But if you use a ballast and ignitor bought at the lowest price well..... There is only one way to fix this is to use a relay and 2nd power source from the battery to power your HIDs that way your induced noise greatly reduced. Please also refer to your note on the yellow silverstars this is due from the loss of the direct ground maybe thru the oil psi sender. Never mind that were talking CB here. Last time I was looking I belive the power port is on the B-side and therefor shares a common buss with many items that are RF sensitve. You realy need a relay and diode inline for clean CB power.

Now dont hold my feet to the fire on this here issue I might be wrong.

pwall · March 30, 2007

Well, I don't think there is much I'll be able to do.

I went out tonight to the truck and brought a hand-held CB radio (40ch walkie-talkie) with me. Turned on the walkie-talkie, nice and quiet. turned on the lights on the truck, and the noise was terriable. Walked all around the truck, didn't make any difference.