2007 EZGO Static

[tshari]

I had a stereo installed on my 2007 TXT. Radio plays fine until foot goes on pedal to ride. CD player works fine regardless. I put on an external antenna and supplied my stereo power on a separate battery under the seat. Static is still very bad. Any ideas?

[JohnnieB]

The output from the controller to the motor is PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) DC, which generates quite a bit of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference)

Some controllers put out more than others and some radios are more susceptible to it than others.

Since the CD player doesn't have noise in it, the RFI is coming in on the radio's antenna, so there isn't much that can be done about it, other than trying a different radio or controller.

Cleaning all the high current cables and connections may help.

[tshari]

So there is no filter I could put somewhere to help/ eliminate?

[EZGO-MY-WALLET2]

Did you ground to the frame or the battery ? I have heard you should never use the frame for any grounds. Since the cd player does not have a problem I am not sure if that could be it or not.

[tshari]

My sister has the same year/ model cart and her stereo doesn't have this problem. Are our
controllers the same? Could I install the same radio and have a shot at it working?

[tshari]

Radio is grounded to negative terminal on the separate battery.

[yurtle]

Here's the antenna I use. It's a powered antenna and receives FM just fine from stations over an hour away. I don't listen to AM, so I may get static on that. My home stereo is unlistenable on AM when the TV is on. It doesn't bother FM.

[yurtle]

Originally Posted by tshari

Radio is grounded to negative terminal on the separate battery.

I assume there are no connections between your radio, aux battery, antenna, and the buggy frame?

[yurtle]

I'm not filter expert, but you can probably pick one up at Radio Shack and give that a try.

[radioman]

Originally Posted by tshari

I had a stereo installed on my 2007 TXT. Radio plays fine until foot goes on pedal to ride. CD player works fine regardless. I put on an external antenna and supplied my stereo power on a separate battery under the seat. Static is still very bad. Any ideas?

As usual JohnnieB right on with his analysis.

I have used ferrite core snap on beads in some other applications that reduced radiated RFI. If you want to try some they are available from Mouser Electronics. I would snap them over the big cables at the controller as close to the controller as you can get them, B+, B- and especially the M-. I don't think they would eliminate all the noise but it would be interesting to try. Using the beads would eliminate you having to make any wire connections. They just snap over the cables. They come in various sizes. More than one in each lead might be more effective. I don't guarantee results. Some voltage reducers also generate noise the beads might be effective in reducing .