Amplifier install

[wildsv211]

I installed a small amp and added 2 more polk speakers to my stock system in my 2006 -sv211. It sounds great in the driveway but i am picking up some egine noise when the boat is running. What is the most common cause for this? I used some RCA cables that i had laying around the garage. Would it help if i switched these out with shielded cable? Thanks for your help..

[bchesley]

RE: Amplifier install

It will definately help. Do you have all of the wires seperated or ain the same loom?

[wildsv211]

RE: Amplifier install

The speaker wires are bundled but the rest are seperate..

[bchesley]

RE: Amplifier install

I would try some twisted pair style RCA's. I am running fosgate and they are reasonably priced. I have used them on three boat systems with good luck. No noise at all on any of them.

[TravisFling]

RE: Amplifier install

I had issues with this with a small crappy amp. I got different cables, then a PAC in line noise filter, which helped, but cut frequencies. Finally I bought a new, nicer amp and the problem was gone. Probably the amp, I would say...

What kind of amp is it?

[wildsv211]

RE: Amplifier install

It is a Kicker amp..

[nms1991]

RE: Amplifier install

Make sure the rca cable is separate from the power wires and not wire tied to the speaker wires.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Amplifier install

What size amp and what size wire for the 12v + and 12v - ?
I believe you can get the noise you are describing from a bad ground.

[gride300]

RE: Amplifier install

i second the ground noise.

[TravisFling]

RE: Amplifier install

Make sure you're grounded to the battery right? Wasn't trying to infer your amp was sub par... Just something to check. You can pick up noise from engine components run with the speaker or RCA wire. If you have to cross mechanicals, then do so at a 90 degree angle.

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: Amplifier install

By engine noise I assume you're describing alternator whine that varies in pitch with the RPM. If so, this most commonly caused by a ground loop. But sometimes the noise can be induced by a bad rca shield or the wiring layout. And it is possible to have a bad amplifier. The general rule is:

*Ground the amplifier(s) directly to the battery.
*Run the amplifier(s) postive supply to the battery switch common lug.
*Ground the source unit to the largest amplifiers ground terminal or close to it as possible.
*Sometimes but rarely you have to pull the source unit's power and ground from the factory harness and move them to the same supply as the amplifier(s) in order to close the ground loop.

David
Earmark Marine

[Mikeski]

RE: Amplifier install

audio systems are very sensitive to noise when components are operating off different voltage sources (power or ground). ie, your deck is running off the factory harness and your amp is connected to the battery. If you can get everything connected to the same power source with good wire to minimize voltage drop and if you run your audio links at least 6" from power wires (perferrably twisted audio links too). your noise issues should go away.