Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

HID light and computer conflict

Started by Sandy Christmus · · Last activity · 8 posts · 710 views

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Cycling Equipment
Published
21 October 2003
Last activity
23 October 2003
Original author
Sandy Christmus
Posts
8
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  1. OK, I haven't seen this one mentioned before:-)

    I just got a NiteRider Blowtorch HID headlight. I've been using an Echo wireless cyclocomputer for 7
    months without a problem, except for a dead battery in the sending unit. Now that the light is
    attached next to the computer on the handlebar, the computer won't register the wheel turning while
    the light is on. I can spin the wheel with the light turned on and see that there's no signal
    getting to the main unit and then, when I turn off the light, the computer starts registering. I
    haven't messed with moving things around, but I honestly don't have a ton of room on the bar. Will
    1-2" between the units make a difference? There's about .5" between the two now. I look forward to
    hearing the technical reasons for the effect. I'm guessing interference, but that's too simple an
    explanation.

    Thanks for the insight.

    Sandy

  2. Sandy Christmus may have said:

    OK, I haven't seen this one mentioned before:-)

    I just got a NiteRider Blowtorch HID headlight. I've been using an Echo wireless cyclocomputer for
    7 months without a problem, except for a dead battery in the sending unit. Now that the light is
    attached next to the computer on the handlebar, the computer won't register the wheel turning while
    the light is on. I can spin the wheel with the light turned on and see that there's no signal
    getting to the main unit and then, when I turn off the light, the computer starts registering. I
    haven't messed with moving things around, but I honestly don't have a ton of room on the bar. Will
    1-2" between the units make a difference? There's about .5" between the two now. I look forward to
    hearing the technical reasons for the effect. I'm guessing interference, but that's too simple an
    explanation.

    It's probably the correct one, as well. HID lamps are EM-noisy. They generate light by striking an
    arc between two elements in a controlled conductive gas atmosphere; that arc, not surprisingly,
    generates radio noise. You may find that you'll need more space between the HID unit and the
    computer than it is feasible to provide. Alternately, you can try taking the HID light apart and
    painting the inside of the housing with some of the shielding paint that is used on the inside of
    monitor housings to reduce emissions. It's not easy to find, but I've seen it at a few electronics
    specialty suppliers.

    --
    My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I
    don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy.

  3. I look forward to hearing the technical

    Quoted message said:

    reasons for the effect. I'm guessing interference, but that's too simple an explanation.

    that's it. according to lights & motion website I think I saw it on. so of course when I upgrade
    lights I have to buy a new computer.

    --
    Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices See
    knight-toolworks.comknight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

  4. "Sandy Christmus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:Hl0lb.31377$N94.5829@lakeread02... <snip>

    Quoted message said:

    Will 1-2" between the units make a difference? There's about .5" between the two now.

    It might.

    As a rule of thumb, interference decreases exponentially with distance. A small increase in distance
    may result in a substantial decrease in interference. At 0.5" you're probably getting a wallop of
    interference, but at 1" the interference may drop much more than 50%, and at 2" may be reasonable
    enough to get the unit to function.

    Heck, try it. It just might work.

    C.Q.C.

  5. Q. said:

    At 0.5" you're probably getting a wallop of interference, but at 1" the interference may drop
    much more than 50%, and at 2" may be reasonable enough to get the unit to function.

    Heck, try it. It just might work.

    Right on.

    All it took was an inch or so to stop one of my GPS units from interfering with a Polar HRM.

    Try moving the light to the other side of the handlebar.

    Barry

  6. I thought it was an inverse square relationship.

    "Q." <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    As a rule of thumb, interference decreases exponentially with distance.

  7. Steve Knight <[email hidden]> wrote: [HID lights and wireless computers]

    Quoted message said:

    that's it. according to lights & motion website I think I saw it on. so of course when I upgrade
    lights I have to buy a new computer.

    Something like the Minoura Spacegrip that attaches at the fork crown wouldn't hurt for this kind of
    problem, I think.
    --
    David Damerell <[email hidden]> Kill the tomato!

  8. O

    Quoted message said:

    It's probably the correct one, as well. HID lamps are EM-noisy. They generate light by striking an
    arc between two elements in a controlled conductive gas atmosphere; that arc, not surprisingly,
    generates radio noise. You may find that you'll need more space between the HID unit and the
    computer than it is feasible to provide.


    it's just not HID my new xenon strobe screws up my wireless computer since I moved it over.

    --
    Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices See
    knight-toolworks.comknight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

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