Radio Interferance Poor Reception - Source Found
10-09-2017, 06:20 AM
#1
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Radio Interferance Poor Reception - Source Found
Thought I would share my discovery with you, hope it is of use.
Ever since I acquired my 2006 Turbo a few weeks ago the FM reception has been disappointing.
I saw lots of others have suffered with this and checked/cleaned the aerial connections in the spoiler and behind the radio. I also checked the continuity of the coax. But nothing improved and I had resigned myself to living with it. I had however noticed it was intermittent.
This morning I discovered the source, it is the phone charger I use in the cigarette lighter! I tried it in the rear lighter and still get the same symptoms. I haven't tried the sockets in the boot yet.
I will try a different make of charger and report back
Ever since I acquired my 2006 Turbo a few weeks ago the FM reception has been disappointing.
I saw lots of others have suffered with this and checked/cleaned the aerial connections in the spoiler and behind the radio. I also checked the continuity of the coax. But nothing improved and I had resigned myself to living with it. I had however noticed it was intermittent.
This morning I discovered the source, it is the phone charger I use in the cigarette lighter! I tried it in the rear lighter and still get the same symptoms. I haven't tried the sockets in the boot yet.
I will try a different make of charger and report back
10-10-2017, 04:03 PM
#4
If the one that did not work has any brand-name markings on it, let us know what it is so we can avoid it. This could be a poorly made charger or it could be a charger with an internal failure, but better safe than sorry.
10-10-2017, 05:29 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
If you want to see just how horribly some is made, check out Clive's youtube videos:
https://www.youtube.com/user/bigcliv...arch?query=usb
Some stuff is downright dangerous, both from a fire and a electrical shock hazard. I'd be VERY careful to avoid using anything cut-rate in either my house or car. One would hope the fuses and breakers in the car or house would be able to catch the problems before they set things on fire, but I wouldn't count on it.
https://www.youtube.com/user/bigcliv...arch?query=usb
Some stuff is downright dangerous, both from a fire and a electrical shock hazard. I'd be VERY careful to avoid using anything cut-rate in either my house or car. One would hope the fuses and breakers in the car or house would be able to catch the problems before they set things on fire, but I wouldn't count on it.
10-10-2017, 06:06 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
I have two that do that in different vehicles. At first I was blaming it on solar flares because it didn't happen all the time.
Both are heavier duty 2 amp models and they pretty much knock out all FM stations.
Both are heavier duty 2 amp models and they pretty much knock out all FM stations.
10-10-2017, 06:47 PM
#7
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Shock is not an issue with 12V equipment, especially when it steps the 12V down to 5V. I would suggest that some level of quality be looked for - but aside from buying stuff made by the phone/pad manufacturer - it's hard to determine from looking at the outside.
One thing worth looking for is an internal fuse on the charger. These are typically done with a fuse behind the center contact (that depresses when put in the outlet.) On ones with a fuse - the "cone" behind the contact unscrews for access to the fuse. That at least gives some assurance that the manufacturer isn't relying on a fuse on the vehicle - which in a lighter/accessory outlet may well be 10A-15A or more (if the circuit powers multiple outlets.) That is enough current to heat things up to flammable levels.
One thing worth looking for is an internal fuse on the charger. These are typically done with a fuse behind the center contact (that depresses when put in the outlet.) On ones with a fuse - the "cone" behind the contact unscrews for access to the fuse. That at least gives some assurance that the manufacturer isn't relying on a fuse on the vehicle - which in a lighter/accessory outlet may well be 10A-15A or more (if the circuit powers multiple outlets.) That is enough current to heat things up to flammable levels.
