2013 Boat Wiring Noise Issue Solved

[schaabj]

I had an upgraded stereo installed in my 2013 G23 back at the beginning of August. I never heard the factory stereo in the boat before the new one was installed so maybe some of you can comment on the performance of a stock setup. However, every time I would start the motor I would get a loud squeal through the speakers which I later determined was caused by the fuel pump running.

This past weekend after countless attempts to ground various things I found a solution that eliminated the annoying noise which was to cut the deck power and ground wires from the factory wiring harness and run new ones to the amplifier distribution blocks closer to the amps. My guess is that the factory wiring harness was running close enough to the fuel pump lines and the noise was being amplified through the deck / amps.

I guess I am posting as a potential fix for anyone else experiencing this issue as well as a query as to if the stock nautique stereos are shipped with this noise issue?

[MLA]

If a boat has a dual battery setup, where one bank is the primary starting and the other is the house bank for stereo and other accessories, then relocating the head-unit's black ground and yellow MEM/B+ wires to the same battery source as the amps as you have done, is an absolute must, in order to prevent the unwanted noise.

[EarmarkMarine]

The noise that you described and others are ever present in the electrical system. However, shielded cables and common access points normally prevent the noise from entering the audio path. But if you induce a scenario where there is resistance between two points in the supply or ground, then that resistance represents a difference in voltage potential. And that difference in potential will always seek to level itself. Unfortunately it levels itself via the audio path and injects noise. Your problem and fix is a common one.

David

[gride]

Stinger 4000 interconnects have great noise rejection. I'd like to try some 6000's on my tower speakers.

[EarmarkMarine]

Rarely is the quality of the interconnect (unless they are total junk) or the cable path a real issues in the cause of noise. Supply and ground loops, as discussed above, are the dominant reasons for noise.

David

[schaabj]

Yes, I have read all this. My main concern is that I had to do this on a BRAND NEW 2013 G23 with stock deck. So why are these leaving the factory like this?

[gride]

Because as well as cc builds and designs boats, they cannot install a stereo well. It's not just them, but it's been the same since 2005 as far as I know. Almost done right, but not quite.