Autocom "White Noise"

[Rich_S]

I have an Autocom Active-PLUS set up on my R1200RT. I listen to my iPod, radar detector and GPS through some in ear speakers. The setup has alot of what I call

"white noise", an annoying background static or hissing. The sound does not match engine RPM, in fact it is present when the bike is not running. I have an Autocom in line noise filter and this weekend I added another filter. Neither of these fixes work. I have tried turning the volume of the Autcom up and down and the noise stays about the same. If I plug my in-ear speakers directly into my iPod - no "white noise". The Autocom is wired directly to the battery. So, I'm thinking I have a noisy Autocom.

 

Has anybody else run into this issue or have some ideas I have not tried yet?

[Rocket_Cowboy]

How does your iPod, radar detector, and GPS connect back to the Autocom? Are you using the isolated input leads?

 

The only time I've heard noise through my setup was when I had a ground loop ... usually with a cell phone or radar detector. Clear that up, and things are back to clear.

[Rich_S]

I've used only Autocom leads/connectors/cable to hook the various pieces together.

 

Do you know how to fix the ground loop? Like I said, I am running straight from the battery. Thanks for the help.

[tbarstow]

Autocom sells a $70 ground loop isolation cable. There is one at Radio Shack, but I don't know what the part number is.

[bobbybob]

Could just be the in-ear speakers being more sensitive to high-frequency noise, that the usual speakers don't transmit. Try some other earphones with the autocom to see if they also have the noise.

[johnlt]

All sources that are "bike powered" meaning that they do not run off of their own batteries need to be hooked up using a ground loop isolated cable. These are the leads that have the module about 1/2" square and 3" long in the middle of the cable. Sources such as cell phones that use their own batteries can use just a standard cable.

[SAMSAR]

Just a thought... this doesn't sound like a ground loop issue...

 

Question... This "white noise"... Is it kinda like what you hear when you are playing a cassette tape and then you hear a hiss before the tape starts or between songs? If so, used to be back in the day that I eliminated that tape hiss by adding a dbx noise reduction unit to my stacks of stereo equipment.

 

I too experience this same white noise in my Autocom set up and would very interested to hear if someone has resolved it. By the by, I am using the Autocom filters which resolved the ground loops but not the white noise.

[ProductUser]

This can be a tough problem to solve. However, I had this problem when I electrified my tank bag.

 

Try ensuring all of the accessory +/- leads are away from each other. The problem I had was that the power leads from my V1 were too close the +/- wires that powered my fuse block. Once I moved the V1 wires, the problem went away.

 

BTW -- I discovered this after I bought all sorts of isolator cables

 

ProductUser

[Troper3]

Have you tried the autocom and just the ipod too see if the sound is still there? I would do that with all the externals you have on the unit, one by one.

[Rich_S]

Thanks for the ideas guys. The noise I hear is similar to what you used to hear on an audio tape - the noise that was reduced when you pushed the dolby button. I'll try to unhook the other components and see if I can isolate if either the gps, radar detector or iPod is creating the noise.

 

BTW I emailed Autocom, they said it was the power amp making the noise.

[Troper3]

What power amp are they talking about?

[Armando]

Autocom sells a $70 ground loop isolation cable. There is one at Radio Shack, but I don't know what the part number is.

 

I started to get ground loop noise when I installed my Sirius radio. I picked up an isolator from Radio Shack which I would have to modify for the right lead. I ended up buying one from Ebay. Came from China in about a week, cost me 12 delivered and it took care of the problem. I wan't about to pay the 50-60 that Autocom charges!!!

[Bernie]

I have the same noise. I also had the background noise on the R1100RT. I even send the unit back for testing to Autocom. They could not find any problem. Then at the Lima, Ohio rally the Autocom tech had the same problem. They bought a set of ear plug speakers and now suddenly where able to hear the noise. I think it is a problem with the wires for the speakers. I can put them in my ears and walk around with out any radio connected and pick up all kinds of wired noises from fluorescent lights and other electrical noises. I think the wires act as an antenna.

[Rich_S]

I am assuming they are talking about the amp inside their product.

[Spartan]

I have an Autocom noise problem, mostly in the right speaker only. It was not there for the first 1k miles after installation. Searched Autocom for a ground loop isolation cable but nothing found.

 

What is a ground loop isolator and where does it install? TIA.

[John Bentall]

Thanks for the ideas guys. The noise I hear is similar to what you used to hear on an audio tape - the noise that was reduced when you pushed the dolby button. I'll try to unhook the other components and see if I can isolate if either the gps, radar detector or iPod is creating the noise.

 

BTW I emailed Autocom, they said it was the power amp making the noise.

 

I would be inclined to agree with Autocom. I hear amplifier hum with the very sensitive in-ear monitors but none with just the helmet speakers.