Audiophiles - Engine Noise in Speakers

[tdappleman]

Yes. This didn't change the noise at all. I disconnected the RCA's at each of the amps, all of the amps, and at the back of the stereo (Aux) as well. No change. The one thing I didn't do is disconnect the speaker wires. The article above says long speaker wires can cause a problem, but there's nothing I can do about that except to wrap them in a ferrite dealy close to the amp.

It's good that you've narrowed it down this far though! Are the speaker wires the originals or were new ones run when the system was upgraded? If original did you have any noise prior to this? It's possible you have a wire which has had the insulation worn away and is touching ground. If new - what type of wire did you use?

 

[Hampton]

It's good that you've narrowed it down this far though! Are the speaker wires the originals or were new ones run when the system was upgraded? If original did you have any noise prior to this? It's possible you have a wire which has had the insulation worn away and is touching ground. If new - what type of wire did you use?

I'll try the direct wiring idea. It seems to me it's definately between the power source and the head unit. I've disconnected everything else downstream from there and can still hear the noises in question.

The speaker wires are mostly new and they are monster cable 14 ga. The only difference since the upgrades is that my latest pair of speakers are directed at the helm and have really clear highs - so now I hear it. I disconnected the newest systems and put my ear to the older speakers and could hear the noise. I couldn't hear it under normal circumstances with the original system.

What do you guys think about spark plug wires? They are AC/Delco and are 5 1/2 years old. I have replacement sets, but haven't installed them yet. These could be lighting up the ER with electrical activity.

 

[skibum]

Do you have an AM/FM/TV powered antenna splitter? If so, then do yourself a favor and double check every single coax connector that was installed by Sea Ray and hasn't been fixed or replaced yet. My boat only has 2 coax connectors. I had to replace both of them. They looked like they had been installed by a caveman wearing fake fingernails using a pair of vice grips, a chisel, and a hammer. Butt ugly, I tell you. Gary posted pics of the mess that they left him to fix somewhere a while back.

The TV is probably plugged into an AC outlet, and it is connected to the powered splitter via coax. That same splitter also connects to your stereo. If any of the shielding on the coax isn't making a connection, then you have a long coax "antenna" connected to an input/output somewhere.

Have you tried it with the antenna disconnected from the stereo. :huh:

It could also be coming from anything that is plugged or wired into the AC system. Have you unplugged the microwawe, refrigerator, alarm clocks, etc.? Possibly a bad GFCI? Just tossin' ideas at ya' now...

One more thing. Try using a piece of wire with some alligator clips on the ends to ground the engine (and genny) to the DC bus.

 

[Hampton]

Wow! Lots of stuff to try. By the way, I have already disconnected the RCA's from the DVD to the TV because I used those lines for the "Aux Input" in the back of the head unit. When I left them connected to the TV, the noise was terrible in the stereo. We may be getting somewhere. The TV would have been the only thing plugged into the AC system anywhere when I did the checks. I turned the tv on/off, but I didn't unplug it. I'll try that.

I haven't diso'd the antenna from the stereo, but I will. The engine noise is more of a problem, but I will look into the AC systems as well. I did trip both GFCI's but not at the same time. I'll try that stuff this afternoon.

 

[Nehalennia]

John
If it's coming through that way only when either the genny or engines are running you have a poor ground. That high pitch is coming from your engines or the genny's alternators. If you can get a decent ground cable back to your dc grounding block it should help quite a bit. But, a 12V noise filter can really improve if not eliminate it. Most of the installs are to some nearby metal to act as a ground but it's not a chassis ground that's in the boat's 12V power system.
I had the same issue in my Suburban when I installed a DVD player.

Search ground loop noise filters and you will see several.

Good luck.

 

[Hampton]

Check most of the AC systems today (took lots of the boat apart). They seem fine. I never could get the noises to change by moving wires around, but after re-seating tons of grounding points today, the genny noise seems to be very low if not gone, for now, or I just got used to it.

Unplugging the tv stopped the med pitch "Outlets" noise. That's why I worked on all of the AC wiring, just to make sure it was all good, stern to bow. Even took fridge out (AC not working on fridge I learned). Antennas had no effect, thank God. I thought I had fixed a lot of the coax problems earlier.

Last thing to check(again), is the engine noise. Didn't want to have to fresh water rinse again, so I didn't start them, plus I ran out of time. If it's still there, I'll try some filters and similar products. Thank you all for all of the great advice.

 

[Four Suns]

Check most of the AC systems today (took lots of the boat apart). They seem fine. I never could get the noises to change by moving wires around, but after re-seating tons of grounding points today, the genny noise seems to be very low if not gone, for now, or I just got used to it.

Unplugging the tv stopped the med pitch "Outlets" noise. That's why I worked on all of the AC wiring, just to make sure it was all good, stern to bow. Even took fridge out (AC not working on fridge I learned). Antennas had no effect, thank God. I thought I had fixed a lot of the coax problems earlier.

Last thing to check(again), is the engine noise. Didn't want to have to fresh water rinse again, so I didn't start them, plus I ran out of time. If it's still there, I'll try some filters and similar products. Thank you all for all of the great advice.

Your secretary was busy tonight and couldn't put your post up on CSR for you?

 

[hemibird]

If you are getting engine noise on your Stereo speakers all you should need is a filter to eliminate any A/C interferance on your radio. Should be an easy fix with any stereo/electronic shop being able to provide you with the parts.

 

[Hampton]

If you are getting engine noise on your Stereo speakers all you should need is a filter to eliminate any A/C interferance on your radio. Should be an easy fix with any stereo/electronic shop being able to provide you with the parts.

I'll be doing that soon. Just wanted to check for malfunctions before I masked the symptoms.

 

[LTD.330]

Hey, did you ever get your issue resolved?

 

[Hampton]

Hey, did you ever get your issue resolved?

Yes and no. I haven't run the boat due to weather/winds, so I haven't tested the engine noise, but I bet it's the same (AC noise basically fixed). If it's still there, I'll go to filters and the like.