One for the Auto Electricians

[zelig]

Why is it that I lose DAB signal when I plug this into my 12V outlet ?


(Car is a 2019 BMW 540i XDrive)

Any clues ?

TIA

z

[kace]

I had the same problem, solved it by ditching the charger and buying an Anker one. Loads of stuff on the net about a frequency from the adapter interfering with dab signals.

[Tooks]

Why is it that I lose DAB signal when I plug this into my 12V outlet ?


(Car is a 2019 BMW 540i XDrive)

Any clues ?

TIA

z

Probably because it’s a cheap Chinese built un-shielded device that has never been near or complies with any of the standards that are printed on it.

RF leakage/interference is a real thing, and why stuff that has been designed to be compliant generally costs a bit more, but doesn’t cause problems like you’re finding. I’ve experienced it with a cheap dash cam as well, and various charging leads over the years.

[hogthrob]

Probably because it’s a cheap Chinese built un-shielded device that has never been near or complies with any of the standards that are printed on it.

RF leakage/interference is a real thing, and why stuff that has been designed to be compliant generally costs a bit more, but doesn’t cause problems like you’re finding. I’ve experienced it with a cheap dash cam as well, and various charging leads over the years.

It's interference from it transmitting your data back to the server in China.

[/TINFOIL]

[zelig]

Thank you chaps - the knowledge base on TZ never ceases to amaze me.

I'll buy an Anker product & give this to the wife

z

[TaketheCannoli]

I don’t use my DAB because the signal keeps dropping out. I have one of these adapters plugged in and have done the whole time I’ve had the car, it’s a cheapo I got from petrol station. I’ll take it out and see if there’s a difference.

[zelig]

Anker unit arrived from Amazon today & it works flawlessly with no DAB interference.

The original unit was described as metal cased & RF shielded…. but clearly it is not.

Would be interested to hear if the issue is the same for TtC’s post above ?

z

[Tooks]

Anker unit arrived from Amazon today & it works flawlessly with no DAB interference.

The original unit was described as metal cased & RF shielded…. but clearly it is not.

Would be interested to hear if the issue is the same for TtC’s post above ?

z

Unfortunately, bare faced lying and some of these products seem to go hand in hand! Proper RF leakage testing costs money, and sucks up profit margins or impacts RRP, so a lot of unscrupulous manufacturers don’t bother.

Glad you’re sorted now anyway! :-)

[PhilipK]

For anybody else having the same issue, you may also need to check the quality of the cable that you are using. Many of them are poorly shielded and can especially interfere with weak signals like DAB and GPS.