AM Radio Interference
#1
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AM Radio Interference
I like to ride and listen to the radio. (Yeah Yeah I know... But I do it and have done so, safely, for 35 years!) Electric Bikes give off an interfering signal as they run. When I ride an e-bike my AM radio has static. Does any body have a cure for this problem?
BTW: Listen to FM is an unacceptable answer!
BTW: Listen to FM is an unacceptable answer!
#2
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Wrap your controller in aluminum foil.
Ideally the device should be shielded and filtered so it doesn't radiate radio energy. The FCC has rules governing these things, but some devices are more compliant than others.
If you can find the source of the static than you might be able to install some RF filters on select lines to reduce the interference. Car ignitions often had "condensers" hooked to the distributor to do this, could be something that simple. But it would be a bit of a science experiment, best bet is to to find some local electronic geek to solve.
Another option might be getting some separation between the AM antenna and the bike electronics. Only so far you can go with that.
Beyond that make sure all of your electrical connections are clean and tight. A dirty connection can cause noise.
BTW I used to listen to football games on AM radio when I rode. Nothing wrong with that.
Ideally the device should be shielded and filtered so it doesn't radiate radio energy. The FCC has rules governing these things, but some devices are more compliant than others.
If you can find the source of the static than you might be able to install some RF filters on select lines to reduce the interference. Car ignitions often had "condensers" hooked to the distributor to do this, could be something that simple. But it would be a bit of a science experiment, best bet is to to find some local electronic geek to solve.
Another option might be getting some separation between the AM antenna and the bike electronics. Only so far you can go with that.
Beyond that make sure all of your electrical connections are clean and tight. A dirty connection can cause noise.
BTW I used to listen to football games on AM radio when I rode. Nothing wrong with that.
Last edited by Pop N Wood; 03-22-21 at 11:17 AM.
#3
Banned
If you have earbuds their cords are acting as an antenna which is why the interference. A FM radio may be less of a problem or use a smartphone with one of the radio apps (which is why I do as the local radio stations leave a lot to be desired.
#4
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I like to ride and listen to the radio. (Yeah Yeah I know... But I do it and have done so, safely, for 35 years!) Electric Bikes give off an interfering signal as they run. When I ride an e-bike my AM radio has static. Does any body have a cure for this problem?
BTW: Listen to FM is an unacceptable answer!
BTW: Listen to FM is an unacceptable answer!
#5
Newbie
Wrap your controller in aluminum foil.
Ideally the device should be shielded and filtered so it doesn't radiate radio energy. The FCC has rules governing these things, but some devices are more compliant than others.
If you can find the source of the static than you might be able to install some RF filters on select lines to reduce the interference. Car ignitions often had "condensers" hooked to the distributor to do this, could be something that simple. But it would be a bit of a science experiment, best bet is to to find some local electronic geek to solve.
Another option might be getting some separation between the AM antenna and the bike electronics. Only so far you can go with that.
Beyond that make sure all of your electrical connections are clean and tight. A dirty connection can cause noise.
BTW I used to listen to football games on AM radio when I rode. Nothing wrong with that.
Ideally the device should be shielded and filtered so it doesn't radiate radio energy. The FCC has rules governing these things, but some devices are more compliant than others.
If you can find the source of the static than you might be able to install some RF filters on select lines to reduce the interference. Car ignitions often had "condensers" hooked to the distributor to do this, could be something that simple. But it would be a bit of a science experiment, best bet is to to find some local electronic geek to solve.
Another option might be getting some separation between the AM antenna and the bike electronics. Only so far you can go with that.
Beyond that make sure all of your electrical connections are clean and tight. A dirty connection can cause noise.
BTW I used to listen to football games on AM radio when I rode. Nothing wrong with that.
No one asked what kind of motor? If it's one with brushes, that's probably the problem. Those are rare though. Most are brushless. But you are right about connections. I'd start by looking at ground connections, and making sure the builder isn't just using the frame for ground (unlikely, but who knows?). Use a separate ground wire.
You might also "wave" your radio over various parts of the bike (if you can do it while stopped?) to see if the static is worse at some point. Finally, is it everywhere on the AM band? If so, sparking is your most likely cause.
#6
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My 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 with the 330 cubic inch V8 (I miss that car) had a second condensor on the outside of the distributor to shunt high frequency noise to ground. A filter capacitor.
WWII German fighter ace Gunther Rall said his first impressions when flying the early jets was the quality of the radios. Apparently the ignitions on the piston engines seriously interfered with the radios.
#7
Newbie
Condensors inside the distributors store up a charge to fire the plugs when the points open.
My 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 with the 330 cubic inch V8 (I miss that car) had a second condensor on the outside of the distributor to shunt high frequency noise to ground. A filter capacitor.
WWII German fighter ace Gunther Rall said his first impressions when flying the early jets was the quality of the radios. Apparently the ignitions on the piston engines seriously interfered with the radios.
My 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 with the 330 cubic inch V8 (I miss that car) had a second condensor on the outside of the distributor to shunt high frequency noise to ground. A filter capacitor.
WWII German fighter ace Gunther Rall said his first impressions when flying the early jets was the quality of the radios. Apparently the ignitions on the piston engines seriously interfered with the radios.
#8
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Shoot, that is right. Current flows through the coil when the points are closed creating a magnetic field. When the points open the field current collapses as it is shunted through the condenser to ground. That changing field causes the spark to fire. Arcing of the points really has nothing to do with the condenser.
#9
Newbie
Shoot, that is right. Current flows through the coil when the points are closed creating a magnetic field. When the points open the field current collapses as it is shunted through the condenser to ground. That changing field causes the spark to fire. Arcing of the points really has nothing to do with the condenser.
But, as you've pointed out, capacitors are a noise reduction tool. Modern circuit boards are full of them, to decouple parts and remove noise. I'm sure ebike controllers are full of them, to suppress transients that are unavoidable in switching circuits.
#10
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Wrap your controller in aluminum foil.
Ideally the device should be shielded and filtered so it doesn't radiate radio energy. The FCC has rules governing these things, but some devices are more compliant than others.
If you can find the source of the static than you might be able to install some RF filters on select lines to reduce the interference. Car ignitions often had "condensers" hooked to the distributor to do this, could be something that simple. But it would be a bit of a science experiment, best bet is to to find some local electronic geek to solve.
Another option might be getting some separation between the AM antenna and the bike electronics. Only so far you can go with that.
Beyond that make sure all of your electrical connections are clean and tight. A dirty connection can cause noise.
BTW I used to listen to football games on AM radio when I rode. Nothing wrong with that.
Ideally the device should be shielded and filtered so it doesn't radiate radio energy. The FCC has rules governing these things, but some devices are more compliant than others.
If you can find the source of the static than you might be able to install some RF filters on select lines to reduce the interference. Car ignitions often had "condensers" hooked to the distributor to do this, could be something that simple. But it would be a bit of a science experiment, best bet is to to find some local electronic geek to solve.
Another option might be getting some separation between the AM antenna and the bike electronics. Only so far you can go with that.
Beyond that make sure all of your electrical connections are clean and tight. A dirty connection can cause noise.
BTW I used to listen to football games on AM radio when I rode. Nothing wrong with that.
I have been busy of late so am slow to get back but...
I wrapped the controller with aluminum foil, per your suggestion, and BANG no AM interference. I had immediate results! Thanks for the diagnosis.
How I need to find a way to make it look better. Aluminum foil and masking tape looks silly.
Last edited by Lambkin55; 04-16-21 at 07:16 AM. Reason: spelling
#11
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If you want to dress it up some use aluminum furnace tape instead of the scotch tape.
I've worked on $15 million test radars that were wrapped up in enough aluminum foil and copper tape that they looked like Christmas turkeys.
I've worked on $15 million test radars that were wrapped up in enough aluminum foil and copper tape that they looked like Christmas turkeys.