alternator whine with alpine pdx amps?

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / alternator whine with alpine pdx amps? (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Search

Register

Login

< Prev Topic Next Topic >

shagdrum

Copper - Posts: 68

Joined: January 31, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 01, 2008 at 10:59 PM / IP Logged

I just installed two Alpine PDX amps in my 1996 Lincoln Mark VIII (a PDX 4.100 and a PDX 1.600, to be exact). At first, they had no issues, everything sounded great. Then after about 5 days, I started getting alternator whine. Usually when I hit a bump it would start, I would hit another bump and it would stop. The amps are mounted to MDF in the back, and not screwed to the car (and possibly grounded). I went in and resecured the RCA's as far away from the power wires as possible...still getting whine.

Is this a problem with the amp? Is this an issue with the PDX line?

FWIW, I think my alternator may be going out as well. The voltage is around 12.5 to 12.9 when idling right after starting. I have done the whole "big 3" upgrade to the car and it has a new battery. Can a bad alternator cause alternator whine in the system?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Back to Top

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: October 02, 2008 at 7:49 AM / IP Logged

I have three of them, and I haven't had any noise... You most likely have a grounding issue somewhere. I m pretty sure of this, because you said that it comes and goes with bumps... Recheck all of your grounds, deck too.

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Back to Top

shagdrum

Copper - Posts: 68

Joined: January 31, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 02, 2008 at 1:54 PM / IP Logged

Both amps have their ground wire running into a ground block and then one larger 1awg wire that grounds that block. Could the RCA's be grounding behind the headunit?

Back to Top

shagdrum

Copper - Posts: 68

Joined: January 31, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 02, 2008 at 4:28 PM / IP Logged

The deck is the clarion MAX685BT

Back to Top

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: October 03, 2008 at 7:42 AM / IP Logged

Where is the ground connected? (Seat bolt a no-no) Big 3 done? All grounds in the car tight and clean (especially battery, engine and alternator grounds)? Alternator age and quality? Battery age and quality? Ground on the deck? RCAs good and tightly connected at both ends?

These are some of the things I would look into to start with, but I think you are seeing a pattern there... alternator whine with alpine pdx amps? -- posted image.

alternator whine with alpine pdx amps? -- posted image.

I can't say that the PDX amps are necessarily more sensitive to grounding issues, but I do belive that you have a ground issue somewhere.

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Back to Top

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

alternator whine with alpine pdx amps?

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.