Troubleshooting RF feedback from car electrical system

[kemoschwabbie]

Like many Axim owners I listen to my x50v as I am travelling to work each day. I am a huge fan of audible and listen to books each day as I commute to work. My Axim requires charging as I travel and I have purchased and use the Boxwave high output charger. I listen to my audiobooks through my car stereo via an FM cigarette lighter transmitter I purchased at Costco a few months ago. My problem is that I get engine electrical system noise and loud rythmic clicking when I attempt to charge my Axim and listen to my audiobooks. I am familiar with the electronics that results in the resonant RF feedback. I am wondering if anyone has successfully overcome this issue using a line filter from Radio Shack or other source. I know there are many products out there, but what I am looking for is 'real world' success, not discussion on the electronics behind this. Has anyone successfully addressed this issue in their car?

[SnowBladerX]

Using a line filter might help, but often they just use a 1:1 transformer which servers to smooth out the current flow, might want to check into one that uses a capacitor too as it might do a better job depending on the ammount of noise you are getting. A line filter from radio shack is worth a shot. I have used a line filter in some situation to fix noise like your experiencing with mixed results.

[Tahoe Trekker]

Like has already been suggested, a line filter may do the trick.
Another option is to run a fused line straight from your battery. You can get one at Radio Shack. I wire Ham Radios that way to avoid the vehicles electronics and noise... it's easier than it sounds! :approve:

[crash613]

another idea might be to go in the oppisite direction... I,too, listen to my axim in the car quite often. right now i use my trusty belkin tunecaster2. but i am seriously considering having a wired RF modulator put in my car. from what i understand it can be done at most stereo places and it connects to the anntena imput on the back of your car stereo.

[SnowBladerX]

Like has already been suggested, a line filter may do the trick.
Another option is to run a fused line straight from your battery. You can get one at Radio Shack. I wire Ham Radios that way to avoid the vehicles electronics and noise... it's easier than it sounds! :approve:

That is a good idea with most audio/radio equipment in cars, directly connecting to the battery will mean it will be isolated from the rest of the cars electrical system and avoid most of the noise. Also insuring you have a good clean ground will help.

It is possible you are getting just RF noise as your transmitter isnt powerfully enough or close enough to the attenna to over power the RF noise created by the car.