HID light and computer conflict

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.

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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.

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"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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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