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profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2014

Converter causes radio static: will a filter help?

I have always had poor radio reception in my trailer -- I chalked it up to a poor radio (which might be true). But yesterday, my trailer was plugged into shore power in my driveway, and I was listening to the ballgame on a radio inside my garage. The reception was unusually poor. I happened to go into the trailer and turned on a light -- I could hear the static increase on my garage radio. I turned off the light -- static was reduced. Thinking it might be the LED lights, I plugged in a power strip inside the trailer and plugged in a rechargable lantern (without the LED lights). Same thing -- more static.

So this sounds like a problem in the converter. Short of replacing the converter, is there any other solution -- some kind of an in-line filter, maybe?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

7 Replies

  • I am going to have to get back to this issue when we return -- we are hitting the road tomorrow. Some great tips here -- thanks!!
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    My HAM Radio operations does great with my PD9260C Converter providing the 12VDC power along with my connected 255AH battery bank in the loop.

    My problems all start with alot of RFI signals from my 600WATT or 1500WATT PSW Inverters fired up running off the connected battery banks alone. These two AIMS products really load down the locally produced 120VAC line with bands of loud BURRRRs (Especially the LOW frequency ham radios bands of 80M thru 40M)....

    Not so bad when using my radios connected to shore power or generator but when camping off the power grids it really is a problem for me using my two way radio items with everything running from the battery banks....

    Roy Ken
  • Be nice to know what make and model converter you are talking about
    Have you tried turning off the AC breaker driving the converter?
  • profdant139 wrote:
    Paul, is there a way that a non-expert like me can diagnose the problem? Thanks for the tips!

    There will be a tag on the converter showing the ratings.
    e.g.
    Power input: 110-130 VAC 5 Amps.
    Power Output: 14 VDC 40 Amps.

    Start by connecting a correctly rated Corcom® filter inline with the input side of the convertor.

    I would like to see the schematic diagram for that converter; there may be a design flaw.
  • Is it a PD converter? For all their nice features, they're really bad about introducing RFI onto the power line, and they nuke a lot of nearby AM reception.
  • Paul, is there a way that a non-expert like me can diagnose the problem? Thanks for the tips!
  • There are three ways the converter can cause RFI:

    1. Direct Radiation from the converter (EMI).

    2. Conducted RFI on the power line (EMC).

    3. Conducted RFI on the DC output line (EMC).


    The conducted RFI can also be radiated, using the wiring for antennas.

    The direct radiation can be blocked with shielding.

    There are a few companies that make filters for the input and output lines; the best one is Corcom®.

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