Fusion Upgrade - noise from the amps.

dtfeld

Water Contrails
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Jun 5, 2016
5,519
Milton, GA
Boat Info
410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
Engines
Cat 3126 V-Drives
Started upgrading the original Clarion XMD1/CD changer out to a new Fusion Apollo unit. While the Clarion wasn't high end (OK maybe it was in 2000), it worked and sounded OK. However, once I changed out the head unit, I had terrible noise coming from the system. I had what sounded like digital noise coming from the head unit when connected to the amps, noise on the RCA cables (touch the center lead and get feedback), and alternator noise once the engines were running. A perfect trifecta of bad audio ju-ju!

I expected similar to better sound from the new unit, but just adding this new head unit added all kinds of noise that wasn't there previously.

Things I've tried...

1) Replaced head unit - No improvement
1) Ran gound wire from head to amp - No improvement
2) Tried High end RCA cables - No improvement
3) Tried twisted pair RCA cables - No improvement

I'm assuming a bad ground or grounding issue. The wiring looks to be stock/original. I'm going to try to home run the ground..First to the battery and possibly the chassis. Not sure where...is it a trial and error thing?

Any advice?
 
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I just went thru a similar experience. This is what the electronics technician had to install to get rid of noise and his comments... Hope it helps.
NoiseFilter.JPG
Noisefilter1.JPG
 
I have a fusion marine black box. I recently started getting occasional speaker noise and cutting out. Its not constant. Comes and goes but when I touch the RCA it will "fix". Seems like I have a bad RCA cable so probably different issue than yours based on your response. But I wondering if bad RCA's is a common issue?
 
I have a head unit and 2 amps. Do I need one for each component? 4 Zones, I guess I'll need 4 RCA filters.
 
I have a fusion marine black box. I recently started getting occasional speaker noise and cutting out. Its not constant. Comes and goes but when I touch the RCA it will "fix". Seems like I have a bad RCA cable so probably different issue than yours based on your response. But I wondering if bad RCA's is a common issue?

My noise is coming through about everything. I think this is going to be a pain in the ass to fix.
 
I home ran a ground from the amps to the house battery, but no change, might have made it worse. Arrrr!!!!

Ordering some filters.

Didn’t think it was going to be this much trouble.
 
I just went thru a similar experience. This is what the electronics technician had to install to get rid of noise and his comments... Hope it helps.
View attachment 58901 View attachment 58902

Bought a Newman filter like the one your guy installed. Were did he install it? At the battery or right before the head unit? Their website has 0 documentaion. I’m guessing right befor the head unit.

Also bout the rca filters...
 
Ill give you a hint. You are on the right track, but the ground is only one half of a 12V DC circuit.

Good Point. To rewire this is going to be $300 in wire lol.
 
Did you run the Apollo power wire down to the amp also?
 
I spent 2 days running power and ground wires to different point in the system/batteries and trying several hundred $$ on crazy rca cables and power/rca filters. It varied from so so to GAWD awful...mostly awful. Could not get rid of the noise.

I finally re-installed the old clarion head/cd unit and it sounds GREAT. Clear, pleanty of power, but I only get 1 radio station and I have limited CDs anymore. Hope y’all like classic rock lol!

I’m pissed.

Is there something with the Apollo units ?

I like the idea of Fusion, but it’s just not worth the effort.

I ordered from Crutchfield, and they have been awsome. I have requested RMAs for both units...they were in my inbox instantaneously. Great customer service. I also spoke with their tech service...they are baffled too.
 
Great customer service. I also spoke with their tech service...they are baffled too.
creating an RMA is easy. What they do to help you isolate/resolve the noise?

Did you try lowering the amp gians after connecting the head unit ground and B+ direct to the largest amp's B+ and GND power cable terminals?
 
I’m hiring this out...beyond DIY
 
You're right in AVC Marine's back yard. I also think they are a Fusion dealer. get with them, once you get your credit back from the internet place. Purchase the head and installation through AVC. Should be golden then.
 
On the plus side...I replace all the speakers in the cockpit.

I was going to purchase JW audio MX650’s but listening the to fusion, they sounded much better to my ear. Installed 4. Would like to add a 3rd pair in the back of the cockpit + amp to move the sound “lower”. Allow good background sound level, still have conversation. Plus was the fusions were $100 cheaper.

I’m thinking 2 zones in the cockpit, 4 speakers low, front and back, 2 on the arch, tv on the arch.
 
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