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Help: LED Visor Light Bar, audible high pitch noise.

M Davis

Apr 10, 2018
1
Joined
Apr 10, 2018
Messages
1
Hello everybody,

First time user seeking advice/help.

I purchased in the past few months a Visor Mounted LED Interior Light Bar (for law enforcement use) from a retail company.
Listed Price: $499.96
Sale Price: $249.96
Powered by the standard 12v cigarette lighter plug.

First let me say this light bar is of decent quality, minus one MAJOR FLAW. The lights are bright, the patterns are sufficient. I like the product based on the light that is emitted from the product. However,:

The light bar since receiving the item while being powered on makes an audible high pitched wailing noise that is quite noticeable (whether on steady burn or flash patterns.) Within minutes I have had other Officer sitting in my vehicle state they have had to "get out" because that noise is headache inducing and incredibly annoying. Myself, like all the other officer's who had heard the light bar clearing believe that there is a defect/malfunction with the light bar, because none of them have ever heard a light bar make any noise let alone a high pitch wailing.

I sent the product back to the company/manufacturer after their approval from submitting evidence of the noise for a warranty repair. Exact words taken off their webpage.
"5 Year Limited Warranty on All LED’s that are used in our products including all products for sale that use LED’s.
2 Year Limited Warranty on All Components. Components include but are limited to Switches Boxes, Brackets, Housing units of the items and Internal Components."

After receiving the item the official response for the company when I received a phone call has been:

"The audible high pitch noise emitting from the light bar is normal and expected. I have also been the first/few people to file a complaint about the noise. After speaking to the manufacturer directly the also confirmed that the noise is normal. No repair is required as the light bar is functioning as expected. There is no defect in our product."

I find this response extremely hard to believe having been around hundreds of police issued LED's and light bars during my time as a Police Officer I have never once heard any noise being emitted from the LED's. Also, if nobody is complaining about a high pitched noise how is mine making one "normal. When I stated, to please fix the noise they stated their was nothing to fix. When I then asked for a refund on the product due to a LED Lightbar emitting audible noise which i believe to be a malfunctioning product I was told a refund WILL NOT be issued due to the product being in my possession for longer than 30 days.

My question is to you more technical savvy/electronic knowledgeable individuals is this noise truly "normal and expected." Why have i never heard it from hundreds of other lightbars I have been around. Due to the company's refusal to do anything. I am under the impression the product will be shipped back to me today "as is". How can I fix the product so that this noise stops?

Also see video attached demonstrating the audible noise. It is quite impossible to sit inside a quiet vehicle listening to that noise for hours on end while working secondary employment.


Thank you and apologies for the wall of text. I wished to be detailed.
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
Moderator
Jan 21, 2010
25,510
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
25,510
The end is probably coming from a switch mode regulator or similar.

Typically these are operated at frequencies far higher than those which are audible.

I would complain until I got my money back. In my country there are consumer guarantees that I would rely on to get my money back.
 

KJ6EAD

Aug 13, 2011
1,114
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
1,114
Provisions of the Magnusson-Moss warranty act may apply federally and most states have additional warranty laws that deal with concepts such as suitability for intended purpose, etc. This may be an opportunity for a law enforcement officer to delve into consumer law a bit. :cool:
 
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