Radio Interference From LEDs

cp4ige

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USA, SC
I don’t have a huge amount of knowledge on electrical issues or RFI—but looking for possibilities to explore for this issue I have.

I bought some Rough Country LED headlights, so they were not very cheap. However, with them installed I cannot listen to the radio. The radio works perfectly with the headlights off. Once the lights are turned on, there are huge amounts of interference coming through the radio—very heavy static. I tried multiple ferrite cores.

Thinking about honestly getting a different brand. Which sucks, because these are pretty nice. Any other ideas?
 
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I worked in the marine industry and had to warn customers about using cheap LED lighting around their VHF and AIS equipment as it could (and sometimes did) interfere with their signal.

I'm running LED's in my TJ and have no such issues, but there may be a reason for yours. Lets look over a few things.

  • Thin plastic housings around the LED driver module doesn't do squat to protect surrounding devices from EMI . A more robust aluminum housing can help block EMI (my drivers are in an aluminum block for better heat dissipation)
  • Where do you have the LED driver mounted? Is it zip tied directly to your headlights wiring, or mounted away?
  • How do these LED lights connect to the Jeep's harness? Are they spliced in, or are they plug and play?
It sounds like these lights have poor quality drivers that don't meet EMI spec.
 
I worked in the marine industry and had to warn customers about using cheap LED lighting around their VHF and AIS equipment as it could (and sometimes did) interfere with their signal.

I'm running LED's in my TJ and have no such issues, but there may be a reason for yours. Lets look over a few things.

  • Thin plastic housings around the LED driver module doesn't do squat to protect surrounding devices from EMI . A more robust aluminum housing can help block EMI (my drivers are in an aluminum block for better heat dissipation)
  • Where do you have the LED driver mounted? Is it zip tied directly to your headlights wiring, or mounted away?
  • How do these LED lights connect to the Jeep's harness? Are they spliced in, or are they plug and play?
It sounds like these lights have poor quality drivers that don't meet EMI spec.
I’m probably going to sound stupid, but can one put some type of shielding around the plastic housings?

Also—I haven’t mounted an LED driver myself. I’m unsure how to answer. The headlights are encased and basically plug and play. They were like 330 bucks, so not exactly cheap…
 
I’m probably going to sound stupid, but can one put some type of shielding around the plastic housings?

Also—I haven’t mounted an LED driver myself. I’m unsure how to answer. The headlights are encased and basically plug and play. They were like 330 bucks, so not exactly cheap… but not 700 range expensive.
 
They were like 330 bucks, so not exactly cheap…
WOW! :oops: My cheapo plug and play LED headlights were under $60 and don't have any issues. I'd contact RC about it. They have great customer service.
RUBI 1 9 22.jpg
 
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WOW! :oops: My cheapo LED headlights were under $60 and don't have any issues.
View attachment 330629
Wow. RC bamboozled me.
That’s actually the exact style of my LEDs and the ones I prefer.

To be fair, there were 2 reviews from other 04 Jeep users that had the same interference issue. But they were like 4.9 starts so I wanted to give them a chance…

Can you link me the ones you have?
 
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Wow. RC bamboozled me.
That’s actually the exact style of my LEDs and the ones I prefer.

To be fair, there were 2 reviews from other 04 Jeep users that had the same interference issue. But they were like 4.9 starts so I wanted to give them a chance…

Can you link me the ones you have?
$330 for RC product that shines... bamboozled would not be the term i use to describe that act.
They do have a great costumer service thought
 
The RFI problem you are having with your LEDs is a similar problem to what I had after installing a set in my Jeep.
When the lights were on the received noise on my 144/440 Mhz Ham radio was 3/4 scale.

The following were my attempts to reduce/remove the RFI:
1. Installed filter capacitors in line with 12V power lines.
2. Installed toroid chokes on power lines.
3. Ground headlight housings.
4. Shield the radio antenna cable.
5. Installed filter capacitors in radio 12V power lines.
6. Installed toroid chokes on radio power lines.
7. Disassembled the LED headlight and inspected circuitry. I found that while externally the headlights appeared to be of decent quality; the circuitry was "CHEAP CHINESE CRAP".... and had very poor filter filtering.

I contacted the vendor and explained the situation. Apparently there were numerous other Buyers complaining of the same problem and I had no problem getting the vendor to provide a FULL refund. The vendor was returning ALL the his remaining stock and returned headlights to the manufacturer.
 
I don’t have a huge amount of knowledge on electrical issues or RFI—but looking for possibilities to explore for this issue I have.

I bought some Rough Country LED headlights, so they were not very cheap. However, with them installed I cannot listen to the radio. The radio works perfectly with the headlights off. Once the lights are turned on, there are huge amounts of interference coming through the radio—very heavy static. I tried multiple ferrite cores.

Thinking about honestly getting a different brand. Which sucks, because these are pretty nice. Any other ideas?
I don't know where you purchased the lights or how long ago so returning or replacing to the original seller might not be an option.
If you're outside your return window, Rough Country does offer a three warranty on their led's and would contact them.
 
Visionx says to connect LED lights directly to the battery power and negative for your supply source. This fixes 90 percent of the problems I get with installs. The trigger wire can be from whichever source you choose within reason.
 
Thanks for all the wonderful replies! I ended up buying a super cheap pair of headlights and ironically, no more static in the radio as opposed to the RC ones. I will be contacting RC about the LEDs.
I hope they cost $47.99. ;)
p.s. If they give any radio static, you need a better ground/antenna with the stereo.
 
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Boogie was the color temperature on these true 6k? My el cheapo led head lights have just a hint of blue tint and my auxiliary lights clash
I have no clue. All I know is they're super bright and white. It's like driving during the day compared to the stock "burned out candle powered" headlights.
Rubi lights 3.png