Bike Light interfering with wireless comp?

[teawoman]

It's getting darker earlier now, and every time I turn on my front bike light, my wireless comp stops working. Am I nuts, or is there a connection? The light is on the right side of the handlebar, the comp receiver on the left side of the front fork.

[SadieKate]

Yes, they don't play well together. You need to separate them farther.

[Blueberry]

Try wrapping the light in foil. It will work for some.

CA

[Becky]

Depends on the computer too. Inexpensive wireless computers often use analog signals, which I understand are more likely to have interference issues.

What kind of light is it? I'd be cautious about wrapping it- some lights get very hot and, if that heat isn't properly dissipated, it will decrease output or shorten bulb life.

[teawoman]

Thanks all! It's a pretty cheep light of unknown origin, meaning there's no obvious brand name on it and I can't remember what it is. It's really a stopgap measure for just the last little bit of our fall rides which we end up doing in the dark. I don't normally ride in the dark at all. I'll try moving it around first.

What kind of lights don't interfere--or do they all? I was thinking of trying some brevets next year, so I'll definitely need better lights. Maybe I'll just go back to a wired comp too.

[VeloVT]

I don't know if I am just weird (certainly a possibility ), but while I have read about this problem a lot I have never had it.

I use Cateye wireless computers and Cateye lights, and on my bike they play nicely together. Lights and computer are probably 3-5 inches apart on my bars, certainly not more. Sometimes I even run two lights on my bars (a bigger, non-flashing light on top and a smaller, flashing light right below it), and my computer still works.

FWIW, I am using the cheaper lights that use disposable batteries. That may have something to do with it?

(For lights, I have the Cateye EL-530 and the Cateye EL-410... and for computers, I have the Cateye Double Wireless-Cadence on one bike and the Cateye Strada Wireless on the other. I've used all possible light combinations with both computers successfully).