I just installed my new kenwood crossover and now I've got ignition noise in my system. I tried installing a noise filter on the power wires but it did'nt help. The noise is only there when the car is running. The grounds are ok. How can I get rid of the noise? !!! Thanks in advance.

 

Noise filters are pretty much useless. Noise can be coming in from most anywhere. Double check your grounds. Make sure your not running your RCA cables next to power wires. Also, the cheap RCAs seem to be noisey. You might want to try a higher grade of cable.

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-Justin-
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There can be only one!!

 

Sometimes cheap or bad plug wires are the cause too. Bad rfi suppresion in plug wires can lead to noise in the elec. system which, the more stuff you add to your stereo,,the greater chance of picking up noise. But, I'd go for checking your grounds 1st as Justin suggest

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<A HREF="http://anzwers.org/free/gta" TARGET=_blank>87 Firebird
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Virtual Racing

- intelligence is learned, ignorance is universal

 

If it didn't happen until you introduced this component to the system, I'd say it's one of 2 things.

Either the ground isn't as good as you think it is, or the power supply in the crossover is totally shot and is not filtering RFI at all. I'd make sure that not only are your grounds tight, but that they are clean with bare metal to bare metal.

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About the only filter that works is a Ground Loop Isolator, it goes in your RCA's. I would check out your ignition also. I had to replace my distributor cap to get rid of mine. I used an Accel cap. Also, RCA cables with metal ends are more likely to pickup noise. If you are using these, try another type temporarily to see if the noise goes away. Also, try to connect all your amplifier and crossover grounds in the smae place. Keep the wire as short as possible also.

 

I had the same problem. The solution was ground loop isolators. I got mine at Radio Shack. One for the fronts and one for the rears. No more noise.

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'87 IROC 5.7l TPI - original owner!

 

Ground loop isolators should be avoided whenever possible. They diminish your stereo separation and can induce all sorts of noise. At best, they result in a band-aid, not a cure.

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Not true, Jim. If you get good ones like those at Radio Shack, you won't even know they're there. They have no affect on separation and introduce negligible distortion.

The real cure is better amps. If they have a floating ground, you'll never need patches like GLI's.



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'87 IROC 5.7l TPI - original owner!

 

I have a ground loop isolator on a friend's stereo because of a Pyramid high-pass crossover. Junk. The ground loop isolator does do a very good job of filtering out the alternator whine, but you must be careful where you place the isolator, and they are still a no-no for a competition system, because noise DOES enter. In the case of a normal system, it's not enough to matter, but when being judged in a competition, you'll get killed in the noise categories. The problem is that the chassis is full of noise, and the reason that you generally don't pick it up is because the + and - signal wires pick up the same noise, then it gets cancelled then the signals are joined. The transformers in the ground loop isolator separate those signals, so they are exposed to similar but different noise, which then can not be removed by cancelation. Barrel connectors are another huge place for noise to enter for the same reasons. They can raise your noise floor by as much as 5dB or more. Negligable in most cases, but deadly in competition. The transformers are put as close as possible to help minimize the noise, but because of that, left and right signals can bleed across and somewhat reduce your separation.

The Kenwood unit should be of high enough quality that it shouldn't cause that sort of noise. The Pyramid that I used is another story. If the ground on that kenwood is adequate, then I would try a different unit. To test the ground on that kenwood, set it right on top of the amp powering your front speakers, and jump the power and ground directly off of that amp's terminals. This will minimize the ground loop. If it still does it, try a different crossover.

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