I recently installed an fm modulator into my car and it works great. However, I'm getting a noise problem when I try to use it in conjunction w/ a power inverter. I get the noise problem when the inverter is on and something is plugged in. Does anyone know of a solution to this or do I have to just forget about using the inverter when using the fm mod? Thanks.
Make sure that your inverter is well grounded. If the inverter is not grounded to a clean, paint free metal area, you will induce noise through any device that is plugged into to it.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
I see. Well, I'm using an inverter that just plugs into the cigarette lighter so it is probably not being grounded that well. Any other thoughts on this? How would I improve it's ground connection?
Also, I was testing the inverter with my laptop. I plugged my laptop into the inverter and the audio output into the fm modulator. That was when I was getting the noise.
Thanks for that reply.
How was the FM modulator grounded ? Did you have the car running at the time you did this ?
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
The FM modulator is grounded to a spot where toyota grounded another piece of equipment. It looks like it is connected directly to the floor of the 4runner. It is basically the metal case where I screw my deck into.
And, yes, I did have my car running when I was doing this. Everything works fine even when the inverter was plugged in. Only if I plugged the laptop in would the thing go crazy. I wouldnt even have to plug the audio output to the laptop. All I have to do is touch the end of the cable with my finger and I get the loud humming.
I forgot to mention something about the FMmod too. Its the one by XOvision and on the box says it has a "built-in ground-isolator IC & anti-howling system." It's basically a little thing housed in a small black box attached to the 12V+ wire. I dunno if this helps.
I would hardwire the inverter. The center pin is the 12 volts and the outer prong is the ground.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA