Any USB chargers which don’t stop DAB signal?

[acme]

Having fitted a Continental DIN radio into an old car of mine with DAB, largely because the old style windscreen integrated aerial did nothing for reception, having now put a dashcam in, as soon as it switches on DAB is cut.

I’ve tried various USB adapters including quality ones from Griffin & Belkin to no avail, anyone had any success resolving?

Cheers

[gmaz]

Perhaps its the dashcam and not the charger that's the problem?

I tried a few chargers and found that this one interfered the least

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q2GFP4M/ref...

...but it is inside a metal crossmember behind the dash, so that might help. I also use an AUKEY charger in the 12v socket and that seems to be OK with DAB, they do an aluminium body one which may cut down interference even more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUKEY-Charger-Compact-Alu...

[eybic]

You need a Ferrite magnet for your dash cam power cable

[steveo3002]

been trying to get some help with this too


mine has gone from no signal with the supplied lead - to working almost perfect on some trips and 60% on others (was near perfect before) with these 2x


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Genuine-Belkin-Boos...

sheilded better spec cable

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JuicEBitz-20AWG-USB-to-...


im going to try wrapping the lead in adhesive copper tape soon

also seen that adding ferrite clip on rings to the cable will help , yet no one will say what spec , same as try another charger but no one can say what one

also run the wiring as far away from the radio /aerial as possible

[steveo3002]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

also tried a homemade charger linked on the above...doesnt seem any better than the ebay charger

100s of threads on google about it , cant really find any that claim to have fixed it

[eybic]

I used a universal USB cable to charge my old dash cam, it interfered with the radio so changed back to the standard one (with a ferrite core attached) and it stopped the interference.

What make is the dash cam? My new Nextbase with original cable has a ferrite core on the power cable.

[steveo3002]

i wash dashcamman would reply about the ferrites

i think** dab works on around 200-225 mhz , we need to find some rings that work in that range , trying to find specs on the ebay ones is hard work , pick the wrong one and its not going to stop the rfi

[acme]

Thanks for all the replies fellas, appreciated.

It's an aukey dual dash cam as recommended by Techmoan, the camera seems good and the quality good, plus install was a PITA so very reticent to take it all out again.

I'd agree that the question is could it be the dashcam, however prior to getting it I was using an app my phone, and then mounted on a cradle, the issue was exactly the same, plug it in and it kills signal.

One potential to try is getting a longer DAB aerial and locating it to the back window (they're fixed) so the aerials as far away from the dashcam wires as possible - I don't think the originally supplied one is long enough, plus it's stuck to the inside of the windscreen.

The dual Belkin one as noted is one I tried, and it only works some of the time, but is better than the originally supplied Aukey one.

Re the dual flush fit Aukey one as noted, tried one of those too and it kills it instantly, shame as that's the best one aesthetically.

Cheers

[Dash-Cam Man]

steveo3002 said:

i wash dashcamman would reply about the ferrites

i think** dab works on around 200-225 mhz , we need to find some rings that work in that range , trying to find specs on the ebay ones is hard work , pick the wrong one and its not going to stop the rfi

We don't buy them Steve, so can't recommend which ones or where to get them - we buy volumes of Nextbase Hardwire Kits which contain them within the box, for customers we install Nextbase dash cameras for where they would like constant power to their camera, even when the vehicle is off (Nextbase kits have a low voltage cut off within them), and not every vehicle can have a ferret core ring fitted, and not every vehicle requires one, so we have a box of spare Nextbase ferret cores we resort to when we have DAB issues after installation.

Sorry couldn't be of much more help.

[steveo3002]

fair enough thanks for the reply ...do you think these nextbase chargers are worth a bash ? or are they just rebranded ebay stuff

[steveo3002]

dont think the stick on dab aerials like long leads , plus it wont like the heated rear screen , i guess you could try a side window

maybe a proper quality roof mount would sort it ...but i dont want to see one and dont really see why i should when the radio is near perfect with it off

[eybic]

steveo3002 said:

fair enough thanks for the reply ...do you think these nextbase chargers are worth a bash ? or are they just rebranded ebay stuff

For the sake of £20, surely you'll be better buying a nextbase one from Halfords?

[steveo3002]

eybic said:

For the sake of £20, surely you'll be better buying a nextbase one from Halfords?

yeah maybe , if i can return it , not sure theyre in anyway gaurenteed fix tho?

edit looks like wrong style..i need micro usb 5v

Edited by steveo3002 on Thursday 16th August 11:15

[eybic]

steveo3002 said:

eybic said:

For the sake of £20, surely you'll be better buying a nextbase one from Halfords?

yeah maybe , if i can return it , not sure theyre in anyway gaurenteed fix tho?

edit looks like wrong style..i need micro usb 5v

Edited by steveo3002 on Thursday 16th August 11:15

You can get a micro to mini adaptor

[gmaz]

You could try powering it from a portable USB powerbank, to check if its the charger, dashcam or lead thats the problem.

[acme]

gmaz said:

You could try powering it from a portable USB powerbank, to check if its the charger, dashcam or lead thats the problem.

Yep, tried that one and it seems to be fine, so it does seem to be plugging into the lighter socket that's causing it.

The ferite magnet that's been mentioned, is it just one that's needed, and if so placed where?

Cheers

[eybic]

They are normally installed near to the dash cam end of the cable, they are generally split in half so 2 will be needed but that will probably be 1 "kit" as such.

[steveo3002]

ferrite supposedly nearest the camera ...although i tried driving along with the cable looped over the sunvsors etc then moved it when i got bad reception , i *think* mine is better about 18" from the camera ...best grab a few and suck it and see

but they're not all the same so we really need to find which is correct one to buy , bigger ones that you can loop cable are said to have a stronger effect

the way i understand it ...the transformer /chargers are dirty/noisy electrically , this noise then travels along the usb cable and transmits it like an aerial


edit with mine if i drag the charge cable over to the aerial the signal goes , can also try playing around with one of the foil sun shades put that between the dab aerial and the lead and its better /stays on

Edited by steveo3002 on Thursday 16th August 12:21

[steveo3002]

so any views on this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392082694232

25-300 mhz - that covers the dab range right?

2050 ohms...is that good or bad ...some are 50 ohms this one is 2000 , is that stronger or what ? i have no idea

[gmaz]

You also need to check you get one that fits your cable diameter