Bathroom Fan and Ceiling Lights Affect TV Reception

[AI927]

Jererae, thanks for letting us know you have the problem also.

[billramp]

Had the issue with the reading lights. Airstream tech installed a filter on three TV booster cable and no issues since.

[AI927]

billramp,

Thanks for responding and letting us know there was a solution for the problem. Do you have anymore details? Was it one filter? Where was it installed? Was it a dealer Airstream tech or a factory Airstream tech?

[billramp]

Tech at Airstream Dealership. I didn't watch him but was told he placed it on the tv booster cable behind the plate cover. My guess is he removed the cover to get to the cable. My unit is in shop for sprinter service this week. Should have back on Wednesday, will pull the plate off and see what I can find out.

[Al and Missy]

My guess wouldbe a filter on the 12v power cable to the preamp control panel. That would be a place where conducted noise on the power would be able to cross over to the antenna signal. Good design of the preamp could/should have prevented that coupling.

Al

[petermday]

I have a 28 ft. 2016 FC and experience the same problem with the bathroom fan and overhead light. Hopefully Airstream will send out a fix for this systemic problem.

[Dave-n-Janet]

Have 26RB with same problem. Turning on bathroom fan or front lights will scramble any reception. I was just at Jackson Center but forgot to put this on my 'list'.... darn...

I am seriously surprised that Matt did not read my mind and fix this as he fixed everything else and a few things I hadn't mentioned...

[orlik]

Originally Posted by Jererae

I have a 2017 - and yes - we just noticed that when we had the ceilings lights on we had noticeably different TV reception (painful - since a favorite football game was on). When I turned off the ceiling lights and turned on the floor lights - the reception was perfect! We then checked the scan for channels and noticed a significant difference. Mentioned it to our Airstream dealer and they seemed surprised. Did not try the fan...

Interesting. We experienced the same in our 2017 when we had the ceiling lights on. Lost TV reception completely, came back when lights were turned off.
Forgot about it until I read this post. I need to check schematic and see if lights on same circuit as amplifier.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by orlik

Interesting. We experienced the same in our 2017 when we had the ceiling lights on. Lost TV reception completely, came back when lights were turned off.
Forgot about it until I read this post. I need to check schematic and see if lights on same circuit as amplifier.

Problem is likely more complex than lights being on same circuit as amplifier. Biggest problem is cheap non-compliant LED light. Here are a couple of links that will give some ideas...

http://www.ledbenchmark.com/faq/LED-...ce-issues.html

https://reductionrevolution.com.au/b...ference-emf-rf

[TheSquire]

I am a ham radio operator and regularly troubleshoot RFI interference issues last like you are describing. Most issues can be reduced or eliminated by putting ferrite beads or toroids on the power supply and/or antenna cables coming into the tv. You can get ones that snap on to the cables like those pictured. You can get a set for less than $10 and put them on any other plug in devices like blenders, hair dryers, computers etc. here is an Amazon link. 20 Pcs Snap on Ferrite Core Cord Ring RFI EMI Noise Filter Suppressor Cable Clip for 3.5mm/5mm/7mm/9mm/13mm Diameter Cable, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0AV746..._s2k6Cb5CV1V6Y

[orlik]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Problem is likely more complex than lights being on same circuit as amplifier. Biggest problem is cheap non-compliant LED light. Here are a couple of links that will give some ideas...]

I had no idea LEDs could be such a big source of EMI issues. Thanks for the links. Good info I will Remember - or I hope I will remember.

[rmkrum]

Most LED lights have a switching power supply in them to regulate the current through the LED and thus the brightness of the LED. The cheaper ones do not have a filter circuit in them, and put a lot of electrical noise on the Airstream 12 volt power wires. Hence the tv interference issues. It’s a pain in the butt, but that’s what we get for efficiency in our rigs.

I have to turn my LED lights off to use my Ham Radio gear. I’ll live with it, pays for much increased battery life over the very hot, power sucking Halogen bulbs that used to be in there. I’ve actually burned my head getting too close to the old bulbs! We don’t watch much television so that’s not a real issue.

[AI927]

I am the original poster. I had my unit at Jackson Center and they did not solve this problem. They replaced the fan but I still have the problem. If my memory is correct I could only get one OTA at JC so that is not a good place to test a fix.

I contacted Winegard for help. They did not have a workable solution. I asked that they work with Airstream to come up with fix. Last time I checked with Winegard they said they worked with Airstream but stll no fix.

Bottom line I am still looking for a fix. I might try some of the recent suggestions. Thanks.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by AI927

I am the original poster. I had my unit at Jackson Center and they did not solve this problem. They replaced the fan but I still have the problem. If my memory is correct I could only get one OTA at JC so that is not a good place to test a fix.

I contacted Winegard for help. They did not have a workable solution. I asked that they work with Airstream to come up with fix. Last time I checked with Winegard they said they worked with Airstream but stll no fix.

Bottom line I am still looking for a fix. I might try some of the recent suggestions. Thanks.

The ferrite beads suggested by TheSquire are probably the best thing to try as a first step.

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

The ferrite beads suggested by TheSquire are probably the best thing to try as a first step.

I cut the ferrites off a couple of old USB cables. Worked fine.

[Steven58]

Saw this thread earlier. Got the TV channels programmed in from the antenna with the amplifier running and sure enough the bathroom light kills the signal, sometimes DEAD! The second TV in the Bedroom hangs in better but goes phooey eventually! We'll just use the bathroom light sparingly if we really need to watch something. Maybe we can use a lantern in our 2018 Serenity International modern, somewhat buggy, travel trailer.