Fusion Upgrade - noise from the amps.

[dtfeld]

I agree that 2 in a row is pretty rare, but I spent a lot of time and money trying to figure it out without success. Its a shame as I was excited about using the partybus feature.

However, it wasn't a ground loop issue. Even with its own battery and everything (AC and DC) shut off, it produced a distinctly digital noise. I think these Apollo units may have some growing pains.

For now, I'm trying to find an XMD3 head. I believe that can be installed and use the existing CD changer and remote, but just add a RCA input. I'll hook in a BT module and I'll be good for now That would get me some time to contemplate whats the best option.

 

[1sweet63]

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.

I had an old depth finder that wasnt hooked up to a transducer but was still plugged up and sending magnetic pulse thru the speakers after a long time of tracing wires I finally realized this is where my noise was coming from. Feedback is almost always a ground issue!!!! And yes most of the time it takes tracing all wires to see where the wrong or bad connection is.

 

[dtfeld]

I think we eliminated the ground loop as a possibility... That said, I still think the Apollo has possibilities, but I'm not going to be an early adopter.

I used the money to as a Raymarine a128 to replace an old RL80. That needed to be done as part of any stereo upgrade anyway. As there are more users, I'll revisit it.

 

[dtfeld]

As a follow up...

I installed a KENWOOD Car Head I bought open box for $100 just to see if I couldn’t get some steaming ability onboard for the rest of the season. I would say this solution is far from perfect. Volume control is an issue. I have to set the head unit to about 2/3 volume and use the Spotify app to turn it up and down. Not great resolution, but passible.

As I suspected, this $100 unit sounds just fine, no digital noise like what I had with the Apollo unit.

It’s a shame...I had high hopes for the Apollo units. I’m going to let them “age” a few months and revisit over the winter. I really was looking to be able to use them as zone controllers.

We shall see.

 

[dtfeld]

Update.

Moved the head unit to the helm as the BT wouldn't reach around the corner and up front. Mounted it up and the noise returned. After turning everything AC and DC item on the boat on/off one at a time, the noise is coming from my MFD and other helm electronics.

So no I have to start trying to eliminate or isolate the noise from these units. The worst offender is the DSM300 fishfinder, you can here the pings. The next worst offender is the a128 MFD. Turn off the MFD and the amps sound great.

I was thinking maybe there isnt a choke on the power cord to the a128, but the manual shows one inline...I'll have to confirm that...

 

[Skybolt]

Glad you got something working, can't be without tunes!

As for your 12v system and noise feedback, wow. Hearing the sonar pings on the stereo, dam. You need a few of these it sounds like. https://pac-audio.com/catalog/specialty-items/css12 , or possibly "ferrite beads". But what ever is causing this, you need a better ground plane for sure. did your zinc saver go bad? Sorry rambling.

Take a look at the Fusion BB300 also, it has BT and three zones as previously posted by Cincy Aquaholic. That is going to be my next project. But it only has 3 zones, do you need 4?

 

[dtfeld]

Well I spent a day running new ground wires to the helm.

Success!! No chirps, crackle, hiss pings! I have no idea why the grounds I ran previously didn't work, but man that was a frustrating process.