LED Driving light static

[1bucketlist]

Hi there all.. I have a 2010 1800 and I put led driving lights on it. The problem is i have a lot of static in the radio and intercom when they are turned on. Anybody have this problem and put a fix to it? I sure would like to get rid of this problem. Anybody know of a fix for this? Thanks.

[mr.ngs]

make sure all of your ground wires from your LED's are grounded well, and to bare metal...preferably to the frame.

[1bucketlist]

These are plug and play lights connected to Honda's wiring harness plugs.. All connections are good and used dialectric grease as supplied and suggested by manuacturer. Thanks for reply.

[WingAdmin]

Are these aftermarket lights? Or replacing OEM lights? How are they hooked up?

[1bucketlist]

These are from Big Bike Parts and they plug into the same plug that the OEM parts would. It is pretty straight and simple. Everything for hook up is in the kit. All wiring, switch, relay. everything. No muss no fuss hook up. Thanks.

[WingAdmin]

That's really odd. Normally you get static in audio systems from poor grounding somewhere, so the current finds its way to ground anywhere it can, including through the audio system - inducing noise in the process. Turning on lights adds another (good) path to ground, and normally REMOVES that static.

It's possible that the LEDs have some kind of electronic driver (a DC to DC converter, perhaps) that is injecting noise into the power.

Here's what I would start with: First off, does it happen when you're idling as well as when the engine is at cruising speed?

Next, unplug the lights, see if the static goes away. Then plug them back in one at a time, see if it comes back.

[oldishwinger]

I had the same problem, when I installed LEDs on my 1200 and I'm sorry to tell you I wasnt able to find a solution, and reluctantly
changed back to normal lighting.

I changed earths, tried feral beads, checked wiring, researched the problem, but nothing worked.

The problem apparently comes from an electrical gizmo (not up with names) that lights the bulb up when turned on.
it only happens with independent leds, the strip leds are not a problem.

[WingAdmin]

If that is the case, and it is a driver inside the LED itself causing the noise, I would put a ferrite choke along with an electrolytic capacitor on the power lead, as close to the LED as possible, to absorb the noise.

[1bucketlist]

Radio Shack should have that stuff. Would you happen to know what size capacitor should be tried?
Thanks......Tom

[WingAdmin]

Radio Shack should have that stuff. Would you happen to know what size capacitor should be tried?
Thanks......Tom

It really depends on the frequency of the noise - I would normally hook up an oscilloscope to identify the noise...or you could just buy a few (they're cheap!) of different sizes, and guess.

First off, make sure any electrolytic is rated for at least twice the system voltage, so 24 volts. Smaller caps (say 100uF) will filter higher frequencies, while larger caps (i.e. 2000uF) will filter lower frequencies. If in doubt, you can always use both, or three - just wired all in parallel. They are polarity sensitive, so make sure you pay attention to the way they are wired in.

[oldishwinger]

If that is the case, and it is a driver inside the LED itself causing the noise, I would put a ferrite choke along with an electrolytic capacitor on the power lead, as close to the LED as possible, to absorb the noise.

thanks very much, I did try a ferrite choke on its own but it didn't work, it will be great if the capacitor combined,
will do the job, as I know of a 1500 with the same problem.

regards,

Robbie

[Sally]

I had the same problem a couple years ago I ended up buying a audio replacement cord that went in under the left pocket and replaced the honda cord it had some kind of isolation grounding ect... I found the ad in the back of the GWRRA mag. Wing world. I'll try to find it. I remember the ad had a light bulb and it was electric something electric soulions ???? any body help me here.. Sally

[Sally]

I found it here's a link also don't stop here they have a lot of information on the goldwing electrical system if you poke around thier they're site
http://www.electricalconnection.com/aud ... -power.htm

[WingAdmin]

I had the same problem a couple years ago I ended up buying a audio replacement cord that went in under the left pocket and replaced the honda cord it had some kind of isolation grounding ect... I found the ad in the back of the GWRRA mag. Wing world. I'll try to find it. I remember the ad had a light bulb and it was electric something electric soulions ???? any body help me here.. Sally

That's a bit different - that's a ground loop isolator, which isolates the input device from the audio system, when they are both plugged into the same power source.

This problem sounds like it is actual noise being injected into the power bus by the LEDs, and it's a well-known problem with some 12V operated LEDs. A ground loop isolator won't help that problem.

[1bucketlist]

Hello all. A while back I posted on an LED driving light problem causing static on the radio and intercom. Well Big Bike sold these and it turns out they were recalled by the manufacturer for an internal problem in the circuit boards for the LEDs. They were traded out and all is well with no static at all. Thanks to those who answered.