Headlight interfering with wireless cyclocomputer
#1
Thread Starter
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
Maybe someone will have an idea to help me.
I just bought a PB Blaze 2 watt. I mounted it on the handlebar where the PB Beamer 3 used to be.
All of the sudden, my Specialized wireless cyclocomputer is going haywire. It said I traveled 77 miles at an average of 55mph.
I'm fast, but not that fast.
I tried moving the Blaze as far away as I could on my road handlebars, but there isn't much room. I even tried mounting it upside down, but it still interfered with the computer.
Any suggestions?
Here is a quick pic.
I just bought a PB Blaze 2 watt. I mounted it on the handlebar where the PB Beamer 3 used to be.
All of the sudden, my Specialized wireless cyclocomputer is going haywire. It said I traveled 77 miles at an average of 55mph.
I'm fast, but not that fast.
I tried moving the Blaze as far away as I could on my road handlebars, but there isn't much room. I even tried mounting it upside down, but it still interfered with the computer.
Any suggestions?
Here is a quick pic.
#2
High Modulus
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 663
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From: Madison, NJ
Bikes: Cervelo R3, Ridley X-Night
Does the Blaze have multiple power settings? I had same issue with different light + computer. However, on brightest setting computer worked OK, but on lower settings it zeroed out.
#3
Yep. I have a Blaze and it works amazingly well on just two AAs. I'm sure it has a switching current regulator that evidently puts out enough electrical noise to interfere with your computer. You might try swapping things around on your bars to separate the computer and Blaze as far as possible keeping the computer closest to the wheel sensor.
#4
Thread Starter
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
The Blaze has low, high and superflash settings.
It affects the computer in all settings. None of the other lights I used had any affect on the computer.
The computer is setup on the stem, so moving it really isn't an option. There isn't much room on the handlebar either.
It affects the computer in all settings. None of the other lights I used had any affect on the computer.
The computer is setup on the stem, so moving it really isn't an option. There isn't much room on the handlebar either.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 210
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It may be that the problem occurs not with one light on, but with both. In that case, try wrapping the Magicshine wire around the handlebar, starting from below the bar, outboard from the lamp, three tight winds before hooking to the battery. The coil effect mitigates RF interference and allows me to run two Magicshines on the handlebars at full power-about 16 watts.
#7
Thread Starter
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
It isn't the Magicshine.
I tried moving the Blaze farther away from the computer, so I had only it on. While the bike was in the rack, I was going 38 miles/hour.
I've had 3-4 different light combinations, all including the Magicshine, but only the Blaze is interfering with the computer.
I haven't tried the foil. I'm not sure how often I'd have to mess with it to keep it on.
For now I just turned the computer off and I'm using the Endomondo Sports tracker app to track my miles.
I tried moving the Blaze farther away from the computer, so I had only it on. While the bike was in the rack, I was going 38 miles/hour.
I've had 3-4 different light combinations, all including the Magicshine, but only the Blaze is interfering with the computer.
I haven't tried the foil. I'm not sure how often I'd have to mess with it to keep it on.
For now I just turned the computer off and I'm using the Endomondo Sports tracker app to track my miles.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 260
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Bikes: Cervelo RS
Just for reference, I have a Cateye Strada wireless computer and a NiteRider MiNewt mini 150 USB light and they don't interfere with each other. Maybe we need to start a light/computer compatibility database.
#9
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
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From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
I have a Cateye Strata wireless computer and every light I have causes it to stop working.
It also picks up traffic signals and gives me a top speed of 78 mph when I am stopped at a Red light.
It also picks up traffic signals and gives me a top speed of 78 mph when I am stopped at a Red light.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Orlando, FL
Bikes: Trek SU100, Surly Cross Check
Any one-setting light will work fine with any and all computers. The reason that your computers are thinking you're going that fast is probably because the detector is detecting oscillating magnetic fields caused by an alternating current in your electronics. Computers that use stronger magnets will be less likely to be affected, as the sensor would likely be calibrated to a higher magnetic field strength.
#11
Thread Starter
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
Several red light systems use the ground loops also.
#12
Thread Starter
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
Any one-setting light will work fine with any and all computers. The reason that your computers are thinking you're going that fast is probably because the detector is detecting oscillating magnetic fields caused by an alternating current in your electronics. Computers that use stronger magnets will be less likely to be affected, as the sensor would likely be calibrated to a higher magnetic field strength.
#13
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
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From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Have you determine if the light was affecting the computer itself or if perhaps the sensor is picking up the noise and transmitting the extra info to the computer? If it is the sensor, try moving the sensor lower on the forks or move either it or the light to the opposite side.
#14
Thread Starter
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
Just tried some experiments.
Its the computer, not the sensor.
Foil works, but only if I cover the entire body from the aluminum to the back.
Making a foil shield around the computer doesn't work.
The light has to be more than 5 inches away to stop the interference. My bar tape prevents me from doing that on the handlebar.
Its the computer, not the sensor.
Foil works, but only if I cover the entire body from the aluminum to the back.
Making a foil shield around the computer doesn't work.
The light has to be more than 5 inches away to stop the interference. My bar tape prevents me from doing that on the handlebar.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Bikes: Trek SU100, Surly Cross Check
Just tried some experiments.
Its the computer, not the sensor.
Foil works, but only if I cover the entire body from the aluminum to the back.
Making a foil shield around the computer doesn't work.
The light has to be more than 5 inches away to stop the interference. My bar tape prevents me from doing that on the handlebar.
Its the computer, not the sensor.
Foil works, but only if I cover the entire body from the aluminum to the back.
Making a foil shield around the computer doesn't work.
The light has to be more than 5 inches away to stop the interference. My bar tape prevents me from doing that on the handlebar.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 439
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From: Malvern, Pa.
Bikes: Trek Pilot 5.9
I had the same problem with my PB 2 watt and Cat eye Strata, I ended up swapping to a Bontager Node 1 that uses ant+ technology and that fixed it.
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