LED causing VHF interference

Halfhitch

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2021
834
Venice, Florida
Boat Info
1988 Laguna 23CC
Engines
1988 Mercury 135 Black Max twins
I have two round LED lights with multiple elements under the hard top that shine down onto the helm area. They do a good job and are the right brightness. The problem with them is when the VHF is receiving voice transmission and I flip on those lights, it totally blocks the reception. Does anyone know if there is a filter of some sort that can be added to the wiring on these that may eliminate that effect? These appear to be fairly old lights but they are well made. What could be done rather than replacement?
 
Silly question, Does bulb replacement count as replacement?
 
I have two round LED lights with multiple elements under the hard top that shine down onto the helm area. They do a good job and are the right brightness. The problem with them is when the VHF is receiving voice transmission and I flip on those lights, it totally blocks the reception. Does anyone know if there is a filter of some sort that can be added to the wiring on these that may eliminate that effect? These appear to be fairly old lights but they are well made. What could be done rather than replacement?
The cheap LEDs can cause the interference. Check out www.marinebeam.com for good replacements. They shouldn’t cause interference.
 
Thanks Steve, I will check them out to see if I can find the correct size.
 
Speaking with an EMC tech that I know he said you could try putting a 0.1 uF cap across the input of the LEDs but don’t expect miracles. The problem is how they’re doing the internal switching on the cheap LEDs, and lack of shielding.
 
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jmauld, I will have to drop them down out of the hardtop to see what brand. I'm in the middle of installing battery switch and ACR at the moment but I will get to the LED issue soon. I wondered if there was something that would cut down on that interference but I'm not enough of an electrician to know what a uF cap is. Looks like I have more reading to do. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me on this known issue.
 
jmauld, I will have to drop them down out of the hardtop to see what brand. I'm in the middle of installing battery switch and ACR at the moment but I will get to the LED issue soon. I wondered if there was something that would cut down on that interference but I'm not enough of an electrician to know what a uF cap is. Looks like I have more reading to do. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me on this known issue.
Just throw them away! IMHO, Safety is too critical to chance known bad LED’s to be on the vessel, even if you found a filter, it will work unit the worst time for it to fail, when you critically need your radio…
 
I agree, but he specifically asked what he could do with the existing lights.
 
jmauld, I will have to drop them down out of the hardtop to see what brand. I'm in the middle of installing battery switch and ACR at the moment but I will get to the LED issue soon. I wondered if there was something that would cut down on that interference but I'm not enough of an electrician to know what a uF cap is. Looks like I have more reading to do. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me on this known issue.
https://smile.amazon.com/Projects-B-0002-C11-Ceramic-Capacitor-0-1uF/dp/B00E6PNOXU/

Just to be clear, I think you should replace them, but this might help.
 
LED interference is pretty common in the ham radio arena as well. Toroid's, capacitors and other fixes are suggested or available. I didn't see anyone stating any of those worked but once fixed, people rarely do tell you that it worked. Generally, they relocate them but I have no experience at all. Just passing along rumors!
 
I hear ya guys. For a few bucks it's not worth a bunch of hassle. I just pulled one out and I found no name anywhere. They are a puck type and are 2.25 inches in diameter. The tough part to match is there is only 1.25 inch of depth to work with. I'm sure I will find something
even if I have to change the size of the hole. Thanks for the help and the nudge toward new. Hopefully a newer style won't have the interference factor.
 
I hear ya guys. For a few bucks it's not worth a bunch of hassle. I just pulled one out and I found no name anywhere. They are a puck type and are 2.25 inches in diameter. The tough part to match is there is only 1.25 inch of depth to work with. I'm sure I will find something
even if I have to change the size of the hole. Thanks for the help and the nudge toward new. Hopefully a newer style won't have the interference factor.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00976M4ZW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best LED lights made…
 
Have those on my boat. I haven’t noticed any vhf interference.
 
Mike have you looked at the poco module yet? I’ve been thinking about picking one of those up to control these lights
 

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