XM Radio Noise! How do I fix it?

[STWannaBe]

Well, I decided to add a RoadyXT to the STeed this weekend while I was stuck in the garage, and after the installation, I was having a constant noise coming through the earphones on the Autocom. It occurs whether the bike is running or not. I have it plugged into a cigarette lighter adapter under the dash so it is no where near the engine. I would assume that if the noise was being generated by the engine that it would not occur when the engine is off.

I have tested the Autocom to make sure it was not my problem by plugging a battery powered MP3 player to the same connection and there is absolutely no noise with the bike, running or not.

So my question is, has anyone who has installed the XMRadio had the same issues and if so, what did you do for a remedy?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[crazykz]

Even with the bike not running the first thing I would try is a ground loop isolator on the audio output from the XM Radio.

You will have this issue with powering multiple devices with the bike when you run them together. In this case the radio and the autocom are both powered by the bike which can create a ground loop.

You can get one here and it's plug and play:
http://www.electricalconnection.com/audio/noise-filters.htm

P/N: 03205

Curt

[STWannaBe]

Got it. Thanks guys. I thought that may be what I was experiencing, but it always helps to contact the experts first! Its kind of like "Measure twice, Cut Once".

Thanks again.:D

[sundug]

Radio Shack has the ground loop isolators for less. Doug

http://community.webshots.com/user/sundug

[crazykz]

You can get the ones from Radioshack but they have RCA connectors on them or you can get the transformers themselves but you have to buy two and then wire them up yourself.

The autocom ones will come with the isolater in the cable but they are not cheap. I like the ones from electical connection because I use them for troubleshooting and then they are easy add inline. I even modified mine to have female 1/8" jacks on each side and then use male to male cables and stash them up in the dash of the bike.

There's probably a picture of them somewhere on this board somewhere.

Curt