Question about Gound Loop Isolaters

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frozenfoodman

Member - Posts: 31

Joined: July 24, 2002

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:22 AM / IP Logged

What are the disadvantages of a ground loop isolater?

I have a "SQ" system and I'm worried if they will reduce sound effect the overall output of my SQ system...

JamesRH

Copper - Posts: 102

Joined: August 16, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:35 AM / IP Logged

I use isolators a very last resort if i cant solve a running noise problem...i dont really like them...never actually seen the used in a SQ setup...just spend time running wires in protected ways(away from noise sorces)

wvsquirrel

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Joined: July 27, 2002

Location: Florida, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:43 AM / IP Logged

Do you have a ground loop, or engine noise? If it's engine/alternator noise then you can use a different filter on the power wire instead, which shouldn't interfeer with SQ.

With the exception of your headunit, are the rest of your grounds going to the same location? That helps prevent ground loops as well.

Squirrel

"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"

If its too loud, then you're too old

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frozenfoodman

Member - Posts: 31

Joined: July 24, 2002

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:44 AM / IP Logged

RCA's are not the problem. I'm using all fiber-optic cables. Grounds are the problem. I have 3 different grounding pts. throughout the vehicle. The DC resistence is different at every pt., thats why I have the noise.

frozenfoodman

Member - Posts: 31

Joined: July 24, 2002

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:45 AM / IP Logged

Its alternator whine. Pitch changes with acceleration..

wvsquirrel

Gold - Posts: 1,237

Joined: July 27, 2002

Location: Florida, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:46 AM / IP Logged

How far away from the units are the grounding points? If you can select 1 common point that is less then 3 feet away from each unit, then that should drastically help.

Also look into getting an Alternator filter. David Navone filters are excellent from what I've been told

Squirrel

"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"

If its too loud, then you're too old

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frozenfoodman

Member - Posts: 31

Joined: July 24, 2002

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:48 AM / IP Logged

Thats impossible..My headunit is grounded up front. My XM radio is grounded in the middle and my amps, eqs are grounded in the rear.

I was thinking of dasiy-chaining a wire from all 3 grounds back to the battery...

wvsquirrel

Gold - Posts: 1,237

Joined: July 27, 2002

Location: Florida, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:50 AM / IP Logged

Not a good idea on the daisy chain, grounds would be too long. What's the distance between the headunit and XM radio?

Squirrel

"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"

If its too loud, then you're too old

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frozenfoodman

Member - Posts: 31

Joined: July 24, 2002

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 2:53 AM / IP Logged

approx. 4 feet..

wvsquirrel

Gold - Posts: 1,237

Joined: July 27, 2002

Location: Florida, United States

Posted: August 20, 2003 at 3:27 AM / IP Logged

Split the difference. Find a point apx. 2 feet inbetween the headunit and XM radio and ground both to the same point (bare metal to the chasis). That drops you to only 2 different grounding points, which is how most systems usually end up. If you still experience alternator whine, try looking into the link I posted above for Alternator filters

Squirrel

"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"

If its too loud, then you're too old

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