Ferrite Chokes

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by madmoneymike5, Jan 30, 2020.

  1. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    Arlington, TX
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    Do you believe in them? If so, where all would you install them?

    I bought a pack of 50 of assorted size chokes for cheap on Amazon. Thought I'd give them a try. Ever since hardwiring my CB to the battery AND installing a ClrSpkr hardwired to the fuse box, I've had alternator noise. I didn't have this noise when I just had the radio's built-in speaker and a cigarette outlet powering the radio.

    I'm not mad about it. It could be that the static noise that is now being filtered out by the ClrSpkr was covering up the alternator noise on the built-in speaker, and only now because I have DSP am I hearing the alternator. Or maybe it's because the speaker is hardwired to the fuse box. Or maybe...a bunch of possibilities.

    In any case, rather than undoing everything and starting over, I thought I'd try ferrite chokes. I've done a bit of light reading about them and it seems like they should help. Just not sure where all to install them. I have read that you shouldn't install them on the coax.

    Thoughts?
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    You most likely have a ground issue.

    Common Current Mode is what it is called.

    Common Mode Currents <<<< he explains it pretty well.

    I would wrap the power, speaker and power to the speaker with come chokes but it may not help.
     
  4. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    when i had installed mine (when there was a need) i installed them in the positive wire. and they have to be installed close to the device end.

    some (i have read) said put it closer to the point of the power.

    i have 2 devices right now, where the choke is more closer to the device, than the power source.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
  5. jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    I tried them in my Suburban once, trying to get rid of whining noise like from the fuel pump or the alternator, but never had much luck...running ground straps off everything to frame and other good grounding points was much more successful...

    Only thing I found that those chokes did work on, was my daughters headphones!

    My radio set-up at the house when I had the amp turned on would bleed all over her headphones...So I put a snap on ferrite choke on the cord next to the plug, and it worked like a champ! Cut out 100% of the noise coming from my radio...I never put much stock into those things working, but they worked on her headphones!
     
    Timin770 Thanks this.
  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Do any of you have phone chargers or gps power supplies plugged in when you hear the whining?
     
  7. 202

    202 Bobtail Member

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  8. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    Arlington, TX
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    Received my set and have installed some close to the CB radio and close to my ClrSpkr. Did not help.

    But @202 makes a good point: perhaps not all chokes are the same quality.

    Hmmm.
     
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