Strange Interference I'm noticing...

[Chris H.]

So I have a radio adapter in which I plug in my iPod to the module, and tune the radio to the frequency on the module. All of this plugs into a cigarette lighter. 

When it's really windy and/or there are thunderstorms in the area, the module picks up a lot of static, and has a noticeable whine when the engine accelerates..almost like the sound of a turbo (and no such thing exists on my truck). 

I must say, it's really strange - can't quite explain it other than maybe atmospheric electrical occurrence. Yay or nay?

[Silversword]

Hi,

It seems like it is called alternator whine.  Especially if you are taking the power off from the cigarette lighter. You might want to locate a filter to minimize the whine.

Hope that you will find a solution.

--Stan Y.
   Maui, Hawaii

[Garth Bock]

I remember that happening in the 'olden' days when I added a CB radio and 8 Track player in my 75 Ford Elite. Also had the same problem on that olden thing called an...AM radio. I had to replace the worn out plug wires and then later add a filter to the alternator to cut down on the engine noise. By the way...that is kinda how the Boltek works to detect lightning.....

[SlowModem]

I remember that happening in the 'olden' days when I added a CB radio and 8 Track player in my 75 Ford Elite. Also had the same problem on that olden thing called an...AM radio. I had to replace the worn out plug wires and then later add a filter to the alternator to cut down on the engine noise. By the way...that is kinda how the Boltek works to detect lightning.....

I think we had to use resistor-type spark plugs, too.

[C5250]

I remember that happening in the 'olden' days when I added a CB radio and 8 Track player in my 75 Ford Elite.

You had an Elite? I always liked that one, although the rear seat was virtually useless.

Getting back to the OP's question... What is this radio adapter listening for? AM modulation is highly susceptible to interference from electrical noise, such as lightning and alternator whine. Alternator whine only is typically a sign of poor filtering by the device.

[Chris H.]

I remember that happening in the 'olden' days when I added a CB radio and 8 Track player in my 75 Ford Elite.

You had an Elite? I always liked that one, although the rear seat was virtually useless.

Getting back to the OP's question... What is this radio adapter listening for? AM modulation is highly susceptible to interference from electrical noise, such as lightning and alternator whine. Alternator whine only is typically a sign of poor filtering by the device.

It's a dongle that plugs into a cigarette lighter...it plugs into a music device (like a smartphone) and you tune the radio to the frequency on the dongle. It's an FM tuner.


Looks like this:

[Mark / Ohio]

I run separate hot and ground wires straight through a fuse to the battery which helped with the noise on my CB and scanner radios back in the day.  Bad part was you had to remember to manually power them down so as not to kill the battery overnight.  

I can't imagine an iPod draining a car battery very fast though.  

[Jim18655]

Might also be the fuel injectors firing. They cause lots of problems for ham radio operators. Run the power cord through a ferrite core. Make as many loops as you can.

[C5250]

It's a dongle that plugs into a cigarette lighter...it plugs into a music device (like a smartphone) and you tune the radio to the frequency on the dongle. It's an FM tuner.

Being that it is FM, the noise is most likely getting in through the power supply.