Alternator whine solutions?

Hello!

Starting a new thread for this problem.

Searching around on the forum I've realized that it's not just med having problem with alternator wining when listen to an external sound source and having it connected to the cars 12V system.

What is the best solution for this problem? I've heard some solutions like adding a filter(suppressor) to the RCA cable. But it won't sort the problems for those who have the noice when listening to the radio, or?

Is it possible to fit a capacitor either on the 12V connection or directly to the alternator? What capacitor should you use, and where to put it?

Please help us who don't know crap about electronics!

Alternative wine!? - Do you normally drink red or white

or

Alternator whine - I have used the suppresor in the past on standard car radios (in line on live power wire) and this cut out radio whine also.

The wining noise occurs when there is a closed ground loop. For instance, my CD changer produce some wining but not the radio. Makes perfect sense, the changer is grounded in the back of the car, where the ground potential isn´t the same as the ICS ground point. The radio is inside the ICS and properly grounded at the same point. Alternator currents through the car body end up in the signal path.

Solution? As simple as the problem! Interrupt the ground loop! The simplest way for the cd changer would be to re-route the ground connection to the same point where the ICS is grounded.

For external sources the same thing would apply. Either use the signal wires as power supply ground (cut the power cord ground) or make sure the power cord is connected to the front 12 volt outlet. I don´t know if it is grounded near the ICS, but it probably isn´t too far away.

Last, never use filter suppressors! They always have a negative impact on the sound performance, and really don´t cure the original problem.

Hope you get it sorted!

mmmm Wine..... Drool

Sorry, I'm from Sweden and we only drink vodka

I have been given the earth solution from some other sources and I'm going to start with that. It's the easiest and cheapest way to start.

let us know how you get on gustav

Originally Posted by niallmoran

let us know how you get on gustav

I will sure do! I will start to grow my alternator grapes this summer, hopefully I will have the first bottles ready next spring

Thanks Arnold for your help with this - I think my whine is gone! As you suggested I disconnected the negative wire on the 12V supply and like magic the whine has gone

I will do a full road test tomorrow, but I think problem solved!

Regards

Philip

Originally Posted by philipohara

Thanks Arnold for your help with this - I think my whine is gone! As you suggested I disconnected the negative wire on the 12V supply and like magic the whine has gone

I will do a full road test tomorrow, but I think problem solved!

Regards

Philip

Hi Philip,
Pardon my ignorance, but where is this 12v negative wire? I'd like to try it too if your road test proves OK...
Cheers, Tony

Tony,

The RCA to Ipod adaptor cable I have used also has 2 wires (+ve and -ve) for charging the ipod. I have the ipod sitting in the center consol under the armrest. I ran these power wires back to the rear cigarette lighter to get the power.

Does this help?

Cheers

Philip

Hi, thanks for your reply. Sorry mate, you have lost me, which is not a hard thing to do...

I'm not ashamed to say that I have have no clue at all when it comes to in car audio. I'm looking for a way to lose the whining I get whilst playing CD's - thought your post was relating to that.

no problem- I don't have a clue either to be honest which is why my explanations don't always make sense...

Back to the whine - well it has gone, but a lower level whine has replaced it - I can probably live with this one, but if it is easy to fix then perhaps I'll try - one of those in line RCA suppressor thingys perhaps?

Cheers

Philip

Originally Posted by philipohara

Thanks Arnold for your help with this - I think my whine is gone! As you suggested I disconnected the negative wire on the 12V supply and like magic the whine has gone

I will do a full road test tomorrow, but I think problem solved!

Regards

Philip

Great!