radio buzz

[skyhook]

just had new stereo installed on boat with amplifier and speakers all marine approved.there is a slight hum with radio but while engine is running it out of control. i beleive it is probably the ground. what could i ground it to that i would not get that buzz while engine is running

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: radio buzz

change the spark plugs, to Q type plugs. they are a resistor type that don't interfere with the radio. it's the same plug # just with a Q in front.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: radio buzz

Whenever I supply power to a critical component, I run a seperate twisted power/ground pair and try to run it away from other wires.

To make the twisted pair, take the power ground wires and chuck them into a power drill. Put the other two end into a vise. Stretch out the wires so there is no slack and operate the power drill until you have a nice tight twist.

Connect the ground directly to the battery if you can or a ground bus bar near the battery.

Can you run the radio without anything else on? It could be a faulty amplifier. You can ground the inputs to the amplifier to isolate it from the radio. If it still hums, it is the amplifier, if not, start looking at the radio.

Spark plugs noise will not sound like a hum. A hum is usually caused by the alternator. The spark plug noise is more of a "pulsey" noise.

 

[cjames]

Re: radio buzz

any electric motors running can put out enough RF noise to cause a hum in a radio. AM stations would be alot worse. I run an old strobe depth finder in addition to my electronic sounder, and that motor in that old strobe caused me hours of frustration before I put 2 and 2 together. I finally ran shielded wire to the am/fm unit, and the problem went away. Strange that it didnt effect either of my marine radios, or any other devices. Im definatly no expert on RF interferance and its effect on various gadgets. I know its fun stuff to chase. The thing is, my rutine was to turn that strobe on right after I started the engine, so the whole time, I assumed it was something with the alternator. If the engine was running, so was the strobe.