Grey Goose

I am having trouble with running my CB and my quad box, whenever I key the mike up and talk, it makes my truck go nuts. If I am idling, it will kill the truck dead, I have to have the motor run up to around 1600rpm's or so just to make sure it doesn't die. Also, the other day, I started my truck and it didn't sound right, put it in gear and it died right off the bat. Engine management light came on, and started it again, and it ran ok, checked my quad box, red light in off position, yellow light in 30, red in 60, and red in 100. Disconnected the box and checked the code and it threw a Rail Pressure levels to High code. I haven't plugged the box back in yet. I have already had to replace the High Pressure Relief Valve on the common rail once that was $300. Don't want to have to do it again. Has anyone else had any problems like this? I would really like to hear from Quad on this issue. I contacted Quadzilla (company) about the CB issue and they said to add a choke to the antenna coax, but I am running a Connex 4300HP radio, that might work on a radio that puts out the usual 5-20 watts, but this radio puts out 100! The service rep said they were working on a fix for this, but have never heard back. QUAD, I need help, I love your product, but just in need of some REAL help.

qzilla

I cannot do anything about 100w radio. Basically your module has provided an antennae directly to engine sensors and your high wattage CB is just running over the top of the module. Sort of like it runs over other CB's.

The only possible way I know that might fix it is to send the module to us and let us completely pot the module and put it under the hood. This will let us use the firewall as some sort of portection from the CB. I know this works on some radio's with power but, I am not sure about 100w.

Also I am not here to preach to anyone but, 100w radios are illegal and are dangerous. I know they can be fun but, I am not sure the long term risks are worth it. You should look into the health dangers a high wattage CB radio will cause.

Grey Goose

If I put choke's on the harness to the rail and such, do you think that it might clear out the interference? Also, what about the other problem?

CD in NM

Hey Grey Goose.

There are guys running radios within the legal watt output who have had problems with things you are describing. The linear amplifier just amplifies the problem like it does the CB signal. I have a Cobra all-in-one mic radio with a Wilson Antenna and have not had problems with the stock electronics. I just put on my Quad STD and have not used my radio, but certainly will give it a try now. To me communications are more important than power at this point. One thing that I did do, that most people do no, is I used a piece of RG8U coax to supply power to my painless wiring block. I thought it would be a good idea to shield the +12v power lead. I ran it from the battery into the cab, to the painless unit. That may be why I have not had electronics problems.

Ouad, you are right about radiations from amplifiers, but I have to tell you that I have instruments that measure spurious signals and a linear amp at this point doesn't hold a candle to the stuff the truck is emitting already. The frequency ranges from the truck are in bandwidths that can have a more devastating effect on cellular reproduction and also the normal mitochondrial cellular functions, ie cell metabolisms. Same thing applies to cell phones and other transmitting devices.

CD

LVTony

Goose,

Make sure you have the right coax (proper impedance) and choke the power lines to the radio. Does it still act up if you use the low power setting? Finally, probably the most important, have you tuned/trimmed your antenna?

If not, get a SWR meter and check your reflected power. My guess is your antenna is poorly matched (impedance-wise) and is reflecting a lot of that power back down to the radio and throughout the truck. Adjust your antenna until you get as close to 1.0 on the channels you most use.

If it's a passive SWR meter, remove it after you're done adjusting.

Tony

Grey Goose

LVTony, SWR's are 1-1 right now on both of the Antenna's that I run, I run a 5ft K-40 and I also have a Monkey Made and they are both set, I am running very high quality Mini-8X coax that also has a 8 gauge grounding wire from the mount to the frame of the truck. I am hoping to be able to isolate the quad box and somehow keep the rf from affecting it. When I keep the truck stock, I have no problems running the radio at all. Usually running even something as small as 100watts would bleed RF through an aftermarket stereo system as well, I have none coming through my stereo at all. Coax and Power for the CB is not even running anywhere near Harness for Quad box.

qzilla

The problem is that we are in a plastic enclosure. We made some changes last year or longer I cannot remember to provide resistance but, not on radios with that much power.

Depending on what is happening exactly it could be as simple as running up the switch or it could actually be affecting the micro controller.

As I said earlier the best luck we have had with high power radios is to weatherproof the module and let the firewall isolate it.

Wegmans Soup

I have a 200w radio in my truck and haven't had a problem with my box. It's not a quadzilla but it works fine.

LVTony

Goose,

It sounds like you've got it setup nice. I guess the next thing to try is running the Quad in the engine bay. If it works, see about sending it back in to get it weather-proofed.

Good Luck,

Tony

Wegmans Soup

Why should you run this in the engine bay...there are just as many sources of interference out there...Sounds like a poor design to me.

cjhauler

I had a similar problem when using a regular 4 watt CB. After upgradeing to a higher quality 10 meter radio, I have had no problems at all. I think the 10 meter is made with better shielding than the some CB's. However, I am just running 45-50 watts. Don't know what the results of higher output would be in my situation. The Quad box is great, don't want to be without it or the radio.

973604x4

I have a midland cb in my truck.....no problems even with my Quadzilla box a foot away.

97Dually

The problem is called inductance. The wires in your truck are acting like small antennas and are inducing a voltage on them....grounding the antenna, impeadance matching the antenna (VSWR Meter), adding choke filters to stop the signal, physically moving the Zilla brain box ----that's about it.

100watts is almost unheard of .....leaglly.. BUT, I do guarantee THAT is why you have the problem...