ok I have installed a new kenwood excalon cd deck and some bann comp system and a new USAcoustics 65x4 amp. I had all noises out of the system untill the dash lights come on then there is a buzz. I cut the dimmer line thinking that could be it and it is not. So I have no clue what it is. the Deck is the KDC465 I think. Any Ideas where this noise it comming from?
Replies (15)
Swez on 10/20/2003 10:27:31
Did you remember to ground the new HU to the body/chassis?
Also, when running RCA's, always run them on the opposite side of the power feed line to amps. If you do have to make them close at the amp connection, cross the RCA's at 90 degree angles to the power feeds. (I know you understand that... but others reading this may not)
Finally, what are the gain settings on your 4065 now? Do you know the RCA output voltage of this HU?
Swez
PS Let's see if "ttocs" checks in and has any comments to add
ttocs on 10/20/2003 11:30:08
that is an odd one indeed. I would check the wiring.
Lets start with the usual questions. What kind of car, did you use an aftermarket hrs or cut the stock wiring?
carfreak on 10/21/2003 05:50:10
ok It is in a 99 gran prix, it is a aftermarket hrs. I have been through the wiring pretty good and got all noise out of the system. I have daytime running lights and there is no noise when they are on it just seems that when the full headlights come on at dusk that the noise starts.
Yes all grounds are to the body the rca do not even X the power wire. I was thinking that it was in the dash wiring mabey but I used a aftermarket hrs , so the wires should be fine as far as that goes I am just perplexed at this noise. It is like a alt wine but I can not put my finger on the source.
Well let me know if u have any Ideas my time is limited anymore as I am working two full time jobs so I get one day a week to mess with this .
Ohh the gain settings are prob up all the way if I rember right
I could turn them down I guess and see if that will make the noise a little more quieter
Swez on 10/21/2003 09:05:16
Set your gains between 2.0 - 4.0 volt range and see if that takes out the noise. The more gain used on the amp (under 2.0 volts) the more likely you are to pick up noise. The gains should be set to match the HU output levels which commonly range between 2-4 volts.
Swez
PS I think your HU is ~2.0 volts output.
ttocs on 10/21/2003 11:36:46
it almost sounds like you have it gronded to the dimmer wire, but if you have it grounded to the chassis that cannot be right. Where is it grounded at? Are there other factory grounds nearby?
Tray on 10/21/2003 13:50:47
I'd definately take a look at the head unit ground. Is it possible that even though it's grounded to the chassis, that it may not be a 100% sturdy connection?
Possible dirt/paint/debris between crimp ring and chassis? Not fully stripped wire, and insulation between wire and crimp ring?
Oh, and maybe have a looksee at the Illumination wire. Everyone sets up their DRLs differently, so could be a possible issue.
carfreak on 10/21/2003 17:53:20
i am sure that the ground is fine stripped sanded ect. i do not think it would be the dimmer wire or illumination seeing how i cut them and left them hang(making sure that no bare wire is showing) The ground Is fine if it was the ground then why only when the lights are on? the same question is asked with the gain settings. Why only when the lights are on? I do not know what the prob is I has to almost be on the same fuse as the dash lights or something that I just cant figure out.What makes it more perplexing is that I do have daytime running lights and no noise when it is daytime only at night . My lights come on when the sensor on the dash reads not nuff light then the noise starts.
There is a slight buzz every once and awile but goes away. I wonder if maby there is a dash light or dome light on when it is making the buzz???? I wonder if I ran my own constant power from a the batt or the fuse box if that would take care of it . Just more work than I really have time for right now.
Well think about that and get back to me I will mess with the gain tonight and see if it helps try some other stuff but I am at a loss right now
carfreak on 10/21/2003 19:07:49
You know I went out and turned the gain down just to 3/4 of the way up and the noise all but went away . You can still hear a slight noise with the car off and the lights on but when the car is running you dont hear much at all. So you were right it was just the gains set to high. Thanks for your help :-)
Swez on 10/22/2003 00:07:04
Atta boy!
Wrong gain settings will amplify noise as well as signal if set improperly. Still should get full power from that amp too.
Can back off on the gains a tad more and noise should be gone w/o loss of power to speakers too.
NOTE: Most Excelon series HU's have 2.0 volt RCA outs. Your amp should gain sensitivity should be set to ~same... 1.5 - 2.0 volts input will give you all the power you need with minimal noise.
Swez
carfreak on 10/22/2003 05:50:51
Ok here is a dumb question are u talking about the gain settings? I guess I am a little confused by the sensitivity settings? There is a switch or the amp that says 1,2 on one side and 3,4 on the other. So I am not entirely sure I set what you told me to set . All I did was turn the gain down. I feel like a dumbass for asking but I am not sure
carfreak on 10/22/2003 05:59:49
I had the recivers modle # wrong it is the KDC-X469 and it is a 2 volt output
Swez on 10/22/2003 10:06:57
OK, let's clarify.... here's a blowup pic of your amp:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-399Yb3uJWVt/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&g=120&id=morephotos&i=235USB4065&pi=6&display=XL
Your gain settings are marked as "LEVEL" and range from 8 volts 7:00 (clock face) and 100Mv in the 5:00 position. Since your HU is 2.0 volts output.... you'll will want to set the Level controls on both halves in ~2:00 position. A little tweaking is OK... the bottom line, get out the noise and still have adequate output power to drive your speakers to full potential of the amp or speakers.
Now, the push button switches are for your crossovers. This amp has HP filter controls and a LP control. Depending on your speakers, use the HP filter and set this between 70-100 Hz. May have to pull out the install/applications manual for specific details on how to set the HP crossovers properly. If you don't have that manual, can probably get it off the US Acoutics web site:
http://www.usacoustics.com/current/index.html
You can get the .pdf that explains all you need on this amp off this site or contact Tech Service for more details.
Swez
carfreak on 10/22/2003 17:22:58
ok thats what I thought there is a switch on the amp that on the amp it says selector and then has 1,2 for one setting and 3,4 for a nother and then the last setting is low. so I was not sure if that was for the line out or to set the voltage imput kind of figured it was for the line out but you never know for sure right now I have my gains at about 1:30 -2:00 so I was right on:-)
Swez on 10/23/2003 10:27:56
That switch that says "LOW" means that you are using low input RCA signals from the HU to the amp.
The other push button switches are for the HP filters to activate and become full range. (HP filters are turned off)
Sounds like your gain settings are close enough to limit that noise issues. Good work!
Swez
SeVeNX7X on 10/23/2003 23:51:33
Sounds like accessory radiated noise... did you by any chance... ground your headunit to a factory ground under the dash? or did you make your own ground? cause if you used a factory grounding point, somethign to do with your lights could be grounded there.. like the dimmer switch, or the sensor for the auto-lights.. its like the brake pop noise.. when you hit the brakes, you hear a pop through your speakers cause a ground is connected to the same place your brake light wire is grounded too.... also .. are your amplifiers mounted to/attached in any way to your chassis? .. if yes, you could be creating a ground loop.. a difference in voltage potential between your amp case on metal, and your actual ground cable from the amp to the chassis... you can look for those things to further rid your system of noise... i just noticed noone had said anything about these.. so i thought id say something, considering you said that it isnt COMPLETELY gone...
Replies (15)
Swez on 10/20/2003 10:27:31
Did you remember to ground the new HU to the body/chassis?
Also, when running RCA's, always run them on the opposite side of the power feed line to amps. If you do have to make them close at the amp connection, cross the RCA's at 90 degree angles to the power feeds. (I know you understand that... but others reading this may not)
Finally, what are the gain settings on your 4065 now? Do you know the RCA output voltage of this HU?
Swez
PS Let's see if "ttocs" checks in and has any comments to add
ttocs on 10/20/2003 11:30:08
that is an odd one indeed. I would check the wiring.
Lets start with the usual questions. What kind of car, did you use an aftermarket hrs or cut the stock wiring?
carfreak on 10/21/2003 05:50:10
ok It is in a 99 gran prix, it is a aftermarket hrs. I have been through the wiring pretty good and got all noise out of the system. I have daytime running lights and there is no noise when they are on it just seems that when the full headlights come on at dusk that the noise starts.
Yes all grounds are to the body the rca do not even X the power wire. I was thinking that it was in the dash wiring mabey but I used a aftermarket hrs , so the wires should be fine as far as that goes I am just perplexed at this noise. It is like a alt wine but I can not put my finger on the source.
Well let me know if u have any Ideas my time is limited anymore as I am working two full time jobs so I get one day a week to mess with this .
Ohh the gain settings are prob up all the way if I rember right
I could turn them down I guess and see if that will make the noise a little more quieter
Swez on 10/21/2003 09:05:16
Set your gains between 2.0 - 4.0 volt range and see if that takes out the noise. The more gain used on the amp (under 2.0 volts) the more likely you are to pick up noise. The gains should be set to match the HU output levels which commonly range between 2-4 volts.
Swez
PS I think your HU is ~2.0 volts output.
ttocs on 10/21/2003 11:36:46
it almost sounds like you have it gronded to the dimmer wire, but if you have it grounded to the chassis that cannot be right. Where is it grounded at? Are there other factory grounds nearby?
Tray on 10/21/2003 13:50:47
I'd definately take a look at the head unit ground. Is it possible that even though it's grounded to the chassis, that it may not be a 100% sturdy connection?
Possible dirt/paint/debris between crimp ring and chassis? Not fully stripped wire, and insulation between wire and crimp ring?
Oh, and maybe have a looksee at the Illumination wire. Everyone sets up their DRLs differently, so could be a possible issue.
carfreak on 10/21/2003 17:53:20
i am sure that the ground is fine stripped sanded ect. i do not think it would be the dimmer wire or illumination seeing how i cut them and left them hang(making sure that no bare wire is showing) The ground Is fine if it was the ground then why only when the lights are on? the same question is asked with the gain settings. Why only when the lights are on? I do not know what the prob is I has to almost be on the same fuse as the dash lights or something that I just cant figure out.What makes it more perplexing is that I do have daytime running lights and no noise when it is daytime only at night . My lights come on when the sensor on the dash reads not nuff light then the noise starts.
There is a slight buzz every once and awile but goes away. I wonder if maby there is a dash light or dome light on when it is making the buzz???? I wonder if I ran my own constant power from a the batt or the fuse box if that would take care of it . Just more work than I really have time for right now.
Well think about that and get back to me I will mess with the gain tonight and see if it helps try some other stuff but I am at a loss right now
carfreak on 10/21/2003 19:07:49
You know I went out and turned the gain down just to 3/4 of the way up and the noise all but went away . You can still hear a slight noise with the car off and the lights on but when the car is running you dont hear much at all. So you were right it was just the gains set to high. Thanks for your help :-)
Swez on 10/22/2003 00:07:04
Atta boy!
Wrong gain settings will amplify noise as well as signal if set improperly. Still should get full power from that amp too.
Can back off on the gains a tad more and noise should be gone w/o loss of power to speakers too.
NOTE: Most Excelon series HU's have 2.0 volt RCA outs. Your amp should gain sensitivity should be set to ~same... 1.5 - 2.0 volts input will give you all the power you need with minimal noise.
Swez
carfreak on 10/22/2003 05:50:51
Ok here is a dumb question are u talking about the gain settings? I guess I am a little confused by the sensitivity settings? There is a switch or the amp that says 1,2 on one side and 3,4 on the other. So I am not entirely sure I set what you told me to set . All I did was turn the gain down. I feel like a dumbass for asking but I am not sure
carfreak on 10/22/2003 05:59:49
I had the recivers modle # wrong it is the KDC-X469 and it is a 2 volt output
Swez on 10/22/2003 10:06:57
OK, let's clarify.... here's a blowup pic of your amp:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-399Yb3uJWVt/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&g=120&id=morephotos&i=235USB4065&pi=6&display=XL
Your gain settings are marked as "LEVEL" and range from 8 volts 7:00 (clock face) and 100Mv in the 5:00 position. Since your HU is 2.0 volts output.... you'll will want to set the Level controls on both halves in ~2:00 position. A little tweaking is OK... the bottom line, get out the noise and still have adequate output power to drive your speakers to full potential of the amp or speakers.
Now, the push button switches are for your crossovers. This amp has HP filter controls and a LP control. Depending on your speakers, use the HP filter and set this between 70-100 Hz. May have to pull out the install/applications manual for specific details on how to set the HP crossovers properly. If you don't have that manual, can probably get it off the US Acoutics web site:
http://www.usacoustics.com/current/index.html
You can get the .pdf that explains all you need on this amp off this site or contact Tech Service for more details.
Swez
carfreak on 10/22/2003 17:22:58
ok thats what I thought there is a switch on the amp that on the amp it says selector and then has 1,2 for one setting and 3,4 for a nother and then the last setting is low. so I was not sure if that was for the line out or to set the voltage imput kind of figured it was for the line out but you never know for sure right now I have my gains at about 1:30 -2:00 so I was right on:-)
Swez on 10/23/2003 10:27:56
That switch that says "LOW" means that you are using low input RCA signals from the HU to the amp.
The other push button switches are for the HP filters to activate and become full range. (HP filters are turned off)
Sounds like your gain settings are close enough to limit that noise issues. Good work!
Swez
SeVeNX7X on 10/23/2003 23:51:33
Sounds like accessory radiated noise... did you by any chance... ground your headunit to a factory ground under the dash? or did you make your own ground? cause if you used a factory grounding point, somethign to do with your lights could be grounded there.. like the dimmer switch, or the sensor for the auto-lights.. its like the brake pop noise.. when you hit the brakes, you hear a pop through your speakers cause a ground is connected to the same place your brake light wire is grounded too.... also .. are your amplifiers mounted to/attached in any way to your chassis? .. if yes, you could be creating a ground loop.. a difference in voltage potential between your amp case on metal, and your actual ground cable from the amp to the chassis... you can look for those things to further rid your system of noise... i just noticed noone had said anything about these.. so i thought id say something, considering you said that it isnt COMPLETELY gone...
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