Which USB Adapter? (FM Radio Compatible).

[PlasticMac]

Hi,
I have struggled for a long time, with poor FM reception.
To cut a long story short, the USB adapter, for the dash cam, mounted in the front interior light recess, is the cause. It must be radiating interference at a frequency similar to the FM signal.
Can anyone recommend an adapter, 12 volts in, USB, 5 volts, out, that is FM compatible? No way to know, as none seem to have any approvals, CE etc.
Below is a pic of the trouble maker.
Mac.

 

[Axit]

I have also not got FM reception on my Concert stereo and I do not have that USB port.

Mine started when I had a coffee spillage in the cup holders.

 

[PlasticMac]

I have also not got FM reception on my Concert stereo and I do not have that USB port.

Mine started when I had a coffee spillage in the cup holders.

Remove the radio, and then remove the facia, which houses the switches etc, and would be first destination for spillage.
Look at the rear of the facia, and remove the small screws, that retain the panel. Carefully dissconect the ribbon cable, then look for stale coffee, and if present, gently clean it off, brush and a little distilled water, to soften, then remove, and dry thoroughly dry.
Mac

 

[Axit]

Remove the radio, and then remove the facia, which houses the switches etc, and would be first destination for spillage.
Look at the rear of the facia, and remove the small screws, that retain the panel. Carefully dissconect the ribbon cable, then look for stale coffee, and if present, gently clean it off, brush and a little distilled water, to soften, then remove, and dry thoroughly dry.
Mac

Thanks Mac.

 

[PlasticMac]

Hi,
I have struggled for a long time, with poor FM reception.
To cut a long story short, the USB adapter, for the dash cam, mounted in the front interior light recess, is the cause. It must be radiating interference at a frequency similar to the FM signal.
Can anyone recommend an adapter, 12 volts in, USB, 5 volts, out, that is FM compatible? No way to know, as none seem to have any approvals, CE etc.
Below is a pic of the trouble maker.
Mac.
View attachment 121166

The answer, seems to be to use an adapter that has CE approval.
So far, so good ...
Mac.

 

[Oskar]

I have also not got FM reception on my Concert stereo and I do not have that USB port.

Mine started when I had a coffee spillage in the cup holders.

Hi Axit
If you have an old Concert 1 stereo, and you think the faceplate electrics are the issue (as Mac has suggested) I have a replacement you can have that should just fit back on. I seem to recall all the pixels work etc.

Happy to send to you for testing if that is best. FOC for the faceplate

 

[Robin_Cox]

Hi,
I have struggled for a long time, with poor FM reception.
To cut a long story short, the USB adapter, for the dash cam, mounted in the front interior light recess, is the cause. It must be radiating interference at a frequency similar to the FM signal.
Can anyone recommend an adapter, 12 volts in, USB, 5 volts, out, that is FM compatible? No way to know, as none seem to have any approvals, CE etc.
Below is a pic of the trouble maker.
Mac.
View attachment 121166

Could you try a noise reduction clip on the cables? Aren't they called ferrites?

edit :

something like this :

 

[PlasticMac]

I think those reduce interference that's conducted along the cables, but not interference that's radiated by the device itself. These DC/DC converters work by turning the 12 Volts DC into AC, then a transformer to reduce the voltage, still AC, then finally, back to DC. Sounds complicated, but runs much cooler than voltage droppers. It's the AC section that, unless well designed, radiates lots of interference, just like a mini transmitter.
Mac.

 

[Indi]

I think those reduce interference that's conducted along the cables, but not interference that's radiated by the device itself. These DC/DC converters work by turning the 12 Volts DC into AC, then a transformer to reduce the voltage, still AC, then finally, back to DC. Sounds complicated, but runs much cooler than voltage droppers. It's the AC section that, unless well designed, radiates lots of interference, just like a mini transmitter.
Mac.

Could you just wrap it in tin foil?

 

[PlasticMac]

Could you just wrap it in tin foil?

Possibly, but the tin foil would need to be earthed, I think
Mac.

 

[Axit]

Hi Axit
If you have an old Concert 1 stereo, and you think the faceplate electrics are the issue (as Mac has suggested) I have a replacement you can have that should just fit back on. I seem to recall all the pixels work etc.

Happy to send to you for testing if that is best. FOC for the faceplate

Thanks Oskar, PM sent.