DomeBasher

Hello Everyone,

Im sure that people have posted this before, but i'm having some problems with a recent install. I just put in a kick a** sound system in my 2009 FX4 Screw. I couldn't be happier with the overall sound quality, but there's a few little issues. Here is my setup.

Original Factory Radio ( i wanted to keep an OEM look)

JL Audio JX360/ 4 Channel amp (For the door speakers)
JL Audio JX100/D (For the sub)
JL Audio f150 Stealthbox 13.5"
JL Audio Evolution C2 door speakers (All 4 doors, i had to ditch those crappy 25 watt ones!)
JL Audio ZR100 Tweeters (pair for the front)
Audio Control LC6I line converter
Generic Lightning Capacitor.

First of all, there is an alternator noise. Indeed it has that hum. I have talked to just about everyone trying to figure out where it came from. I have checked the ground to the amps, amp location, etc. The only issue is that the power line going from the battery to the amps (behind the rear seat) is close to the door speaker wire, but i really dont think that is a problem. I bought those ground loop isolators, but they only make the noise quieter, i can still hear it, and it annoys me. What else should i look for?

The second problem is with the JX1000 amp. Right when power gets to the amp there is this fuzz noise. it is really quiet and subtle, but its there. If i remove the power to just that amp, the noise is gone. This is not a big deal, but if anyone has an idea as to what the problem is, let me know.

The third and last problem is a fuzz noise. If i turn the volume up one notch, there is a loud fuzz noise coming from the speakers. This isnt a big deal when i listen to music at normal volume, but when i want to listen quietly, (like when the ladies are with, and they dont like loud music) the fuzz is apparent, and rather annoying. What do i do about this?

Oh one more issue. When i turn the radio off and on, i get this REALLY loud popping noise. I know you can get a thing to fix that, i just dont know where i put it. (the radio, one of the amps....)

Anyway, what do you guys think. You can call me picky but if im spending this kind of cash to get a decent system, i expect perfection.

If you are still reading this, Thank You very much for your time!

mlsF150

1. Make sure the ground for the amps is at least a 4 gauge and is made to bare metal as close to the amps as possible. Do not use an existing hole as this will cause an issue. Believe me...I just added a jl 700.5 to my truck and grounded to a factory bolt. It worked for about 30 secs then quit. The authorized jl dealer in my town took all of 5 secs to tell me the factor bolt I was trying to use has thread locker on it which made for a bad ground. Secondly, he said jl's like really good grounds. I used a self tap and a bit of sanding and solved the problem. This may be the root of a lot of yours as well. Next, I would get the power wire away from a the speaker wire. Depending on the juice flowing it can cause interference if they are close enough to each other across a run. And last, try turning down the input sensitivity on the amps. JL has a procedure in the manual I got with my amp for using an ac voltmeter to fine tune the input sensitivity. My manual says my jl can accept input from a speaker line level without the use of a line converter. Yours may not but this a way for you to eliminate the line converter as a possible cause as well. It describes terminating the speaker wires using rca connectors. I've not done this but it is interesting to think you can.

Matt

Venomized

Running your power wire next to your speaker wire will not give any type of noise.

Is your power wire near your RCAs? This can give you issues.

DomeBasher

OK trying to think about it more.... Matt, thanks for the info. Venomized, i think that is true. When trying to pinpoint the issue i ran a seperate power wire from the battery completely outside the truck to the amps. The noise was still there, so that is why i think the power wire might not be the problem. I didnt think to check the RCA cables, but Matt if you are talking about using the high level input for the JL amps to not need the converter, i did try that and the noise was still there. Maybe im a little slow but could you explain a little more on the ground? Mine is just attached to one of the bolts that the rear seat is connected to. Bad idea?

Stormtrooper206

its been awhile since ive been involved in audio but would a capacitor work?

Venomized

no a capacitor wont work for what hes experiencing.

As for his explanation on the ground, he is stating that you cannot use an existing bolt (you cant use your seat bolt) you need to use a self tapping screw to make a new ground fo your amps grounding point. Make sure you sand off the paint down to the bare metal when grounding your ground to the body/frame

jcain

It's the capacitor. Quote me.

DomeBasher

Alright just to clarify, fixing the ground will fix what part of my problems? The alternator noise, the noise coming from the one amp, or the noise i hear when i turn the volume up. Also what do i do about the popping?

DomeBasher

and i dont think it can be the capacitor, because didnt have it hooked up for awhile and i was still having problems.

Wyo11Scab

iTrader: (1)

The hum is a ground loop. Try leaving the power attached to your amp but removing the ground cable and or grounding it in a different spot. An alternator will cause a whine that goes up and down with your engine speed.