power supplies with minimal radio interferance?

**Deric** · 08-13-2009, 08:55 PM

I have the Opus 120W that I got from the MP3Car Store. I initally had a bootup issue but that was taken care of when my MB was replaced on RMA. Since the new MB I haven't had any issues but I've only used it for the past couple of weeks. I have my HD tuner mounted above the PSU and so far haven't had interference issues that I can tell.

I do have a mast antenna though but it has been cut down. Also I'm unsure which one you are looking at but mine has the P4 connection for the MB. The radio is powered by the Opus as well. Here's a pic of where mine is mounted.

**mstaedt** · 08-14-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Deric

Also I'm unsure which one you are looking at but mine has the P4 connection for the MB.

OK, that's good. I looked at the extra pictures on store.mp3car and they only showed a 20-pin ATX plug, but the pic of yours looks like it has a 24-pin.

Thanks...
Mark

**Deric** · 08-14-2009, 06:52 PM

The header on the PSU is 24pin but going to the MB it is 20 pin. The 4 extra on the PSU side goes to a standard plug and then branches to a P4 connection.

**mstaedt** · 08-19-2009, 06:55 AM

OK,that $uck$! I just spent $90 on an Opus and it DIDN'T CURE THE PROBLEM! The only thing I can think of now is I must have a serious grounding issue somewhere. Unfortunately, ALL my wiring is under the carpet, which means I'll have to tear out all of the seats and carpet.

Back to square one..ARGGGGHHHH!!

**Deric** · 08-19-2009, 10:43 PM

Did you try using the control panel that came with the HD unit and not power on the PC? Also you could try powering the HD unit with the PSU to see if you get a cleaner signal.

Originally Posted by mstaedt

OK,that $uck$! I just spent $90 on an Opus and it DIDN'T CURE THE PROBLEM! The only thing I can think of now is I must have a serious grounding issue somewhere. Unfortunately, ALL my wiring is under the carpet, which means I'll have to tear out all of the seats and carpet.
Back to square one..ARGGGGHHHH!!

**utd09bry** · 08-19-2009, 11:11 PM

this may sound primitive, but it's worth a shot to take a portable radio (if you have one) into the car, and try to find the worst reception spots. I have a small radio and was able to find really bad reception areas near my computer and monitor. In any case, it may help to find where your interference is coming from.

I never could solve the radio noise problem in my car... and I mostly gave up after seeing that my monitor was creating quite a bit of noise.

**mstaedt** · 08-20-2009, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Deric

Did you try using the control panel that came with the HD unit and not power on the PC?

Yep. I actually installed the HD tuner LONG before I installed the PC and reception was great. My reception nose-dived right when the PC went in.

Also you could try powering the HD unit with the PSU to see if you get a cleaner signal.

I'm currently trying all kinds of power combinations, including running the HD tuner from a separate battery on the floor of the truck and also running the PC from the separate battery. I'm not sure if powering the tuner with the PSU would work (or whether my PSU can even handle it), but I'm going to try just about anything.

**utd09bry** · 08-20-2009, 11:40 PM

I don't think the radio's power source makes a difference. It certainly won't get rid of the noise completely, as you should be able to bring a portable radio in the car and see that it will get crapped up, too.

**kove** · 08-22-2009, 02:34 AM

Finaly received my OPUS yesterday.
As happy as a clam, I started replacing my old M2.. finaly after some wiring issues got it to work last night.. this morning it was time for the first test run.... exciting.... had everything hooked up, turned the ignition on... yes...computer boots...and... NOOOOOOOOO....problem still there.
FM Band completely gone as soon as the pc starts..
I'm absolutely lost now. Have got everything working perfectly except for the fu**ing radio (sorry for the swearing)..
As for me it's either 100% or nothing.. I'm very close to ripping the complete install out of my car..

What in hell can I do to get this sorted??

**csfile** · 08-22-2009, 06:47 AM

I guess it has to be some other component in the PC is causing interference. Maybe strip it down to the bare minimum and see if you lose FM. Then start adding components back. If you still lose FM with the bare minimum...then

Try starting the radio then removing power to your screen since that may be a source as well. I like the idea of bringing a portable radio to see if there are bad spots. I was thinking of buying an OPUS to fix this problem. I'm glad I held off (for now).