Ok I have put in an aftermarket HID system and its great, However it makes my radio useless from all the interference it causes. Luckily I have an ipod set up so I can still have my tunes. using the hidden antennae under the fairing probably doesnt help at all but it looks better!

Would going back to a remote antenae would improve it any?

 

Thanks for the heads up.....I'll be stickin' with a Silverstar bulb in the stock unit!

 

Hey Bounty, are those graphics on your bike vinyl?

 

Hay Point, moveing the antenna to the rear of the bike might help. You might try a jumper hot line off the battery to the radio just see if that helps too. Where do you have the HID transformer or what'sitcalled thing? If it's close to the radio it might have to be moved too.
I've been thinking about an HID unit swo let us know how things work out. Good luck

 

I have the H-D HID on my RK and a fairing with radio and do not have any noise problems with the ballast transformer.

Some of the things to check:

- proper ground for both the radio, and the HID ballast transformer.

- proper contact with the antenna into the back of the radio.

- try relocating the antenna farther away from the fairing, but if you have the interferance on radio CD player and AM and FM bands this is not going to be a solution. You would then have to isolate the power for the radio by feeding it back from the AUX power lead by the battery running the radio power through a filter to isolate the power interference being caused from most likely by the HID unit.

 

The transformers are located off to the sides near the pockets on the sides. The interference is only on the radio, (AM FM WB) not sure about CB but I don't use it anyway. I added a switch into the system so I can turn the lights off. Sometimes only one bulb will light off and I'd rather hit a switch than kill the bike and restart. So during the day i can go with fog lights and turn of the HID if I want to hear the radio but I will probably just listen to MP3's

Also I had the HD garage door opener installed and it will not work with the HID connected. I ended up rigging something with a spare remote I had.

 

What brand of ballest are they? And what is the maker of the entire set that your running for HID? I have not heard of any one with a H-D set of HID lamps having any issues with any radio noise (understand not a problem with the CD, so that indicates that the ballest which is stepping up the volts is emitting Radio Frequency RF, this may not be compiant with FCC regulations).

You still may need an RF filter (trap) put into the ballest (your transformer) input voltage line to keep that RF off your power to the radio.

If that is not going to fix it after its installed, then the problem is with the ballest, it maybe one mfg in some third world country that is not concerned with any US FCC regulations, no less what DOT or NSTA have to say about anything. Then you will need an OSRAM unit to replace it, thats what H-D uses, they have the required RF filters built into the unit, as well as several other safety features, like open ckt bulb, and start up safety circuits/timer and proper diaelectric insulation to keep you and other equipment from HI voltage and being zapped.

The only other thing that I can actually think of, is the bulb is may no be totally making contact with the wiring, completing a proper circuit at the bulb end or the ballest end. This could cause the hi-voltage to arc over then emitting the RF interferance, that will drasticlly reduce the bulb life as well as the ballest if your not running an el-cheapo from Timbuc-too or who ever is making the ones that are not to be imported.

Be sure all contacts are pushed in solid and making firm connection all the way and that your using a silicone grease on the contacts. Do not touch the bulb with any grease, or your unprotected fingers. Even skin oil and grease can cause the bulb to explode when its heated because the oils on the bulbs quartz envelope boil and explode a hole in the glass. Wipe the bulb with alchole before lighting up agian.

The H-D units mount real close to the radio in the EG, and UC that have them converted. On my RK the ballest is less than a foot away from the radio am/fm/cd/mp unit in the fairing. Its mounted behind the HID lamp in the head light neccel on a bracket. No noise from mine.

Don't forget to answer the questions that I've posed, Thanks.

Gary

 

I have an aftermarket HID and only notice a little "buzz" on AM and only if the bikes not running. Once running you can't hear it at all. Whos system did you get? Maybe others have had the same problem with them or can steer away from that model if they want to get one.
I got mine from xenondepot and am very happy with it.