TV Interference

[steves]

Anyone know how to eliminate interference on my TV from my electrical fans (furnace, bath room, fantastic vent)when using the antenna and the power booster?

[VanMan]

hmmm - no replies !!! Perhaps the only way (not trying to be a smart a__) is to turn the fans off (or turn the TV off)!!

[HamRad]

A loose ground wire can cause all kinds of problems. Including some interference. Good luck and let us know if you find a fix.

HamRad

[H. John Kohl]

Can you describe what the interference looks like on the TV. Is it horizontal small white lines across the screen?
John

[kmh3212]

The dc motors on these fans produce RF radio frequency. It goes out through the air just like a radio transmitter.

[Charlie]

The fan motors are powered by 12 volt and the interference is electrical noise created by the fan motors. The noise is feeding back into the TV booster through the 12 volt system as it is also powered by 12v. I have experienced this with every trailer that I have owned. If you are parked close to another trailer the interference will also show up on your TV from the neighbor's fans.

[DONnANNIE]

Does it do it on both TV's or just one - which one? Are you on an the antenna / cable / satellite?

You might check your coax cables to your TVs. Have you done any repairs or changes prior to noticing the interference?

[The Oldguard]

Steve, if you replace your 12 volt fans with 12 volt computer cooling fans you can pick up at Radio Shack this will eradicate 99% of your interference caused by the cheap fans that installed in all RV’s.

[exav8tr]

Isn't there an RF filter (plug or inline) that can be procured to prevent this???

[kmh3212]

The RF is radio transmitted noise and it must be stopped at the source transmitter. That is why the next door neighbors fans get into your TV. The best answer is the 12 volt computer fan replacement idea. They are designed not to create RF as to not interfere with the computer.

[steves]

Can you describe what the interference looks like on the TV. Is it horizontal small white lines across the screen?........ It is as you described.

A loose ground wire can cause all kinds of problems. Including some interference. Good luck and let us know if you find a fix......I checked the wiring and all the ground wires were tight. I did find one loose hot wire.

Aside from replacing the fans, it sound like it's something I have to deal with when running the TV off the antenna.

Thanks for the replies!

Steve

[mtkrumm]

I have the same problem here. My laptop causes it also. Furnace fan too, how many computer fans do I need to replace one furnace fan?

[kmh3212]

125 computer fans for the furnace fan. The furnace fan is of course out of the question. I think a capacitor on the motor leads might cut some of the RF noise out. We need an electronic expert out there to chime in.

[sreigle]

We just started getting the interference a few days ago, which tells me something changed to cause the problem. The bathroom 110v lights will do it as well as other things. I have not checked 12v items yet. Ours is small diagonal white lines that move across the screen. Both TV's. And we're on cable, not using the antenna nor booster.

[Charlie]

Steve-
This sounds like a grounding problem on the cable system, may not be anything wrong with your system.

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

We just started getting the interference a few days ago, which tells me something changed to cause the problem. The bathroom 110v lights will do it as well as other things. I have not checked 12v items yet. Ours is small diagonal white lines that move across the screen. Both TV's. And we're on cable, not using the antenna nor booster.

I was taught in problem analysis training to always look for what changed. Vicki pointed out the interference began after our purchase of a quartz heater with forced air. That seems to be the culprit. However, right now that heater is running and there is not interference. But the washer and dryer are also running so maybe there's some connection there.