Wireless computer interference
02-26-19, 06:44 AM
#1
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Wireless computer interference
I put a Cat Eye Padrone on my touring bike and it worked fine until I went for a night ride. I have a Son hub for power and a Edelux II headlight. While the light was operating the computer did not function so there was no increase in the distance traveled. Is there a simple wireless computer with a speed sensor that the light will not interfere with. If not will a wired computer work without the light interfering in the computers operation.
02-26-19, 06:57 AM
#2
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It's a very frustrating business, isn't it. You could try moving the light further from the computer. I find with mine that the computer works when it's about 8" from the light but, of course, it will depend on how much interference the light is putting out.
Otherwise the only solution is to use either a wired computer or a digital one - in the Cateye range that would be the Padrone Digital, Padrone Smart or Padrone Smart+.
Otherwise the only solution is to use either a wired computer or a digital one - in the Cateye range that would be the Padrone Digital, Padrone Smart or Padrone Smart+.
02-26-19, 06:58 AM
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Have you tried shielding the cables, especially where they are in very close proximity to your computer? Years ago, Radio Shack sold shielding material that you tape over the wires to avoid interference. I'm sure that stuff is stall available from some electronic supply stores.
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02-26-19, 09:18 AM
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Yes, it can interfere. I prefer wired for this reason, or if insisting on wireless, just going straight to GPS based.
I've even had things like riding under high transmission power lines knock out signals.
I've even had things like riding under high transmission power lines knock out signals.
02-26-19, 09:35 AM
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Bummer. We have the Padrone computers on two bikes and they were not affected by lights. But the answer is either to move the light away from the computer or get a wired computer.
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02-26-19, 10:01 AM
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It does depend on the light. My NiteRider Lumina and my Lupine Tesla both interfere, whereas other lights I have, including Lezyne and FW Evans own brand ones, do not. The Lupine light predates the rise in wireless computers so that isn't surprising. The NiteRider is rather disappointing as it's a new light and otherwise appears to be well made.
02-26-19, 10:17 AM
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It does depend on the light. My NiteRider Lumina and my Lupine Tesla both interfere, whereas other lights I have, including Lezyne and FW Evans own brand ones, do not. The Lupine light predates the rise in wireless computers so that isn't surprising. The NiteRider is rather disappointing as it's a new light and otherwise appears to be well made.
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02-26-19, 10:24 AM
#10
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I put a Cat Eye Padrone on my touring bike and it worked fine until I went for a night ride. I have a Son hub for power and a Edelux II headlight. While the light was operating the computer did not function so there was no increase in the distance traveled. Is there a simple wireless computer with a speed sensor that the light will not interfere with. If not will a wired computer work without the light interfering in the computers operation.
02-26-19, 12:33 PM
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I put a Cat Eye Padrone on my touring bike and it worked fine until I went for a night ride. I have a Son hub for power and a Edelux II headlight. While the light was operating the computer did not function so there was no increase in the distance traveled. Is there a simple wireless computer with a speed sensor that the light will not interfere with. If not will a wired computer work without the light interfering in the computers operation.
Last edited by Korina; 02-26-19 at 12:35 PM. Reason: add light brand
02-26-19, 04:30 PM
#12
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We ride mainly on the flat and my Padrone kept showing max speeds of something like 63 mph 
.... I wish 
I thought it was because it was too close to my phone which was in a top tube bag and it was happening during the day when my torch was off ... maybe they can both cause issues as I would have thought it unlikely to be the torch if it wasn't switched on during the day rides but could be wrong.
.... I wish I thought it was because it was too close to my phone which was in a top tube bag and it was happening during the day when my torch was off ... maybe they can both cause issues as I would have thought it unlikely to be the torch if it wasn't switched on during the day rides but could be wrong.
02-28-19, 10:33 PM
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Cateye Vectras on multiple bikes, all dynamo hubs and lights, zero interference from the lights. Max speed errors are so frequent and common that the values are useless. Well, I’m pretty sure I’m not hitting 68mph on my ride home. Not sure what causes the errors but it happened before the dyno too. Occasionally the speedo will read “0” as I pass through intersections. It’s brief, happens only through intersections, and not all intersections or even on the same intersection all the time. I don’t worry about it. I accept these things as part of the cost of wireless.
-Kedosto
-Kedosto
03-01-19, 04:27 AM
#14
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I have no interference from lights , and also none from power lines - I specially paid attention when passing under a 330 kV line yesterday. However, I have interference from trams (modern ones only, the old models do nothing) - when one is nearby, around 10 m or less, the speed drops to zero. Same happens also at some fixed points along my daily route (not intersections). Moreover, I have observed it showing random speed figures while just laying on my office desk. Obviously the max speed figures are useless; in my case they top out at 91.1 kph (seems a random figure, but one I see often and is never exceeded). Out of the city it seems to work all right though.
The model is Force 12 WLS (a cheap Czech brand, but I have suspicion that this is actually some no name Chinese product, as I've seen visually identical computers on internet under different names)
The model is Force 12 WLS (a cheap Czech brand, but I have suspicion that this is actually some no name Chinese product, as I've seen visually identical computers on internet under different names)
03-01-19, 07:35 AM
#15
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I used to get that with an old Sigma computer I had but I've not had it with the Cateye Micro. I'm guessing the modern trams are pumping out a lot of high power RF interference from their very sophisticated power supplies, whereas the older one would just be using resistors, which would have wasted a lot of power by comparison.
03-01-19, 09:57 AM
#16
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If wireless, get a BLT/ANT solution. More expensive, but you get what you pay for.
03-05-19, 05:37 AM
#17
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For those who may be interested, I've just received my new Exposure Strada RS light. In testing this doesn't interfere with the wireless computer at all, even on full power and held right next to either the sender unit or the computer.
When I first found that my NiteRider light interfered with the computer I wrote to NiteRider expressing disappointment. Their response was that their light was driving the LED much harder than other lights I had. At the time I thought this was a bit lame but the NiteRider was definitely putting out more light than any other unit I had so I couldn't really argue with it. However, the Exposure light is 1,200 lumens versus 750 for the NiteRider so this definitely gives the lie to that response.The answer is clearly good design and/or shielding.
When I first found that my NiteRider light interfered with the computer I wrote to NiteRider expressing disappointment. Their response was that their light was driving the LED much harder than other lights I had. At the time I thought this was a bit lame but the NiteRider was definitely putting out more light than any other unit I had so I couldn't really argue with it. However, the Exposure light is 1,200 lumens versus 750 for the NiteRider so this definitely gives the lie to that response.The answer is clearly good design and/or shielding.
