Ok I think I got everything installed correctly and the system sounds great.
I'm running a 200w JVC deck, 2 120w speakers in front w/stock tweeters, 2 100w speakers in back and a 400w amp (not sure the brand its borrowed) with 2 fosgeate 12" (Punch) subwoofers connected in back. I'm not quite sure the wattage rating on those.

It seems like when I start excelerating in my car I hear this high pich humming noise. If you did not pay attention you would not notice but I can. What could be causing this? The Ground? The alternator as the power goes back into the battery? My power cord is hooked directly to the battery itself. Not quite sure but I want to correct this if possible. Also when I playing a CD and a cycle through tracks. When I'm in between tracks I hear a little distortion when theres nothing playing. A friend told me this is the ground. I'm not sure tho cause I scraped all the paint of the point that I hook the ground.


[Modified by Fooser, 8:16 PM 3/6/2002]

 

You're getting alternator noise. Did you run the RCA's with the power wire? If so, those need to be run on opposite sides of the car. That's a starting point until we know more about how you intsalled everything else....

 

So I did run the RCAs close to the power cord. That could be causing this? Hmm didnt know that I will have to fix that today. Let you know how it goes. Tell me how far exactly do I need to run the RCA wires from the power cord. I mean do I have to totall run them on the opposite door panel? or can I just run it on the opposite side of the center console?

Its amazing what you can learn on these boards. If I asked how do I build a engine from the bottom up I would end up a mechanic.


[Modified by Fooser, 8:35 PM 3/6/2002]

 

Well, you COULD run it on the other side of the center console, but the best place would be along the passenger-side by the door of the car. Under the carpet, of course. You have to keep them apart as what happens is you get what's called electrical interference in the line. Basically, electricity jumps through the casing of your power wire, right through the casing of your RCA wire and you get noise from the alternator spinning. Kinda weird, but that's what it is. Good luck.

 

Yup I will keep you update on how it goes. I'm sure this is the issue cause I wired up everything else correctly.

 

yeah dude your picking up alternator noise.. what i did is this.. run my speaker wires and rcas on one side, run my power wires on the otherside of the car, and run my Alpine AI-Net and cd changer cabling down the middle/tranny tunnel into the back... i get no noise

good luck on re-wiring.. make sure your ground is on a clean (no paint/bare metal) grounding surface also... and sorry about the fake amp. .that SUX!!!

 

another thing you can do to get rid of noice if it's still there after seperating power wires from source/signal wires is to pick up an in-line noise filter. It's about 6 bucks, and it's basically a small cylinder (coil). To install it, just unhook the power wire from the amp, plug it into this noise filter, and plug the other end of the noise filter into the amp. Nice and easy + works great.

You can find it at radioshack, or any electronics store.

 

I've never had to run my RCA's on the opposite sides of the car. If you have a good set of RCA's. Also this can be caused by not having good grounding points. The best way to get rid of it go fiber optic.

 

wouldnt I have to get a special converter or something to go fiber optic? I think the RCAs sends a electrical signal. Wont I need a new deck compatible with fiber? Also you cant bend fiber optic that much. I think the bend on it is less then 90 degrees otherwise you will lose the signal.

Man these computer classes do pay off after all.


[Modified by Fooser, 4:09 PM 3/7/2002]

 

actually I think you completly can loose signal with greater than 90 degree bends, or even damage the fiber, its useless to go buy a fiber converter and then a deconverter for the system, usually you use it if your deck supports it, and even then it's usually used to hook up a dsp or equalizer unit in close proximity of the deck.

 

Ya thats what I thought to. I didnt think it would be very conse efficient considering I can get an entire wireing setup for like $50

Hey If I'm running my 4 guage wire down the drive side under the rug. Where should I cross back to meet the amp under the passenger seat? I have to rewire because I'm getting signal from the power cord. should I go all the way to the back seat then go along there and come back? I dont think I can get it under the center console without modifying it. Any thoughts would help.

 

Like people said, your problem is most likely with the ground. Focus on fixing that before ripping the wiring apart. I've seen people run them directly next to eachother and get no noise.

 

o rage is 95% correct
The only thing that was wrong was
then it's usually used to hook up a dsp or equalizer unit in close proximity of the deck
It doesn't have to be close to the deck.

My one fiber cost $40 for 20ft and replaces 3 sets of RCA's. Fiber is very bendable just as much as your RCA's. That 90 degree angle mean just that a perfect 90 degree angle at which point the fiber would probably break.. This doesn't mean you cant bend it into a 90 degree angle. I had no problems bending fiber in my car its very durable. Fiber is not as fragile as most think. I work for a company that builds 10GB/s network modules and work with fiber every day. We do perfect 90 degree bends as well, so it can be done. Yes you have to have a deck to support it, I just look for those kinds of decks.

Ok back to the topic
Check your grounds, you might also look into buying a better set of RCA's. The better sets have a better ground shield. This helps eliminate the noise being transmitted into the RCA. You can try running them down the opposite side of the car but this does not always work.

 

Ok so since I had to re-wire everything I went out and picked up some 4guage pwr cord. Might as well cause it wont hurt anything to have the bigger capacity wire. hooked the pwr cord up and ran it down the drivers side towards that back seat then looped it around and under the passenger seat. Then I ran the auto start wire with switch to my center console. After that I ran the RCA's and speaker wires to the passenger side.

conclusion. My setup is working great. didnt realize until last night I had a Ext. output for the RCAs. Thats a bonus now cause I can turn up just my subs if I want to without killing my ears. overall I felt it was a learning experience. Now I have to replace my blown tweaters.