Xoxol

Hi guys,
Here is my problem: I have this buzzing noise in my speakers until I turn ON PC.
My system hooked up as follows: from USB sound card into AUX Input of my HU. I used to have ground loop, so I got the ground loop isolator installed. It was just fine for few days than I got this noise back again. I grounded audio cable to the chassis and the problem solved. But in some time I've noticed that I have thin noise in my speakers when PC is OFF and HU is turned on AUX Input. If I switch to either CD or Tuner, this noise goes off. Also it goes off if I turn ON PC.
I just have no idea where to look for a problem.

I forgot to add, that I run laptop as carpc with Lilliput screen, The screen is wired to the back of cig. lighter thru molex connector and laptop is powered via inverter. Inverter gets it's power straight from the battery via relay.

Thanks in advance.

Disefyl

I had a very similar problem when I went from an onboard audio card to an external one. The problem is that since the external sound card is grounded through the pc, the ground only functions when the PC is on and device drivers loaded (At least this is how it was explained to me). I fixed the problem by using a relay to turn on the amp only after the pc had booted and the exteral card turned on.

Xoxol

do you use your carpc thru HU as well?

ArcaneDreams

I wouldn't imagine it would be an issue if it only happens when you are in auxiliary input and your PC is off.

If you want to see if your PC is causing it, just unplug the auxiliary wire from your HU and see if it goes away.

But again, why do you need to have your auxiliary input active when your PC is off?

Xoxol

well, when I start the car, it turns on the HU first. I don't have any auto start hardware for my laptop so I have to do it manually by pressing the start button. During these few seconds between I started the car and PC booting, I have this weird noise I''d like to get rid of...

ArcaneDreams

Hm, thats not so much car audio as it is a power issue.

It could just be a weird loop when your HU is trying to draw a signal from your PC when it is off..it just gets a buzz.

Only way I can see that being fixed for cheap is to go to radio shack and buy a transistor. Then splice into the wire going into your auxiliary input and place the transistor there.

A transistor has 3 connectors. Positive, Negative, and a switch. You would wire the switch up to your PC's Power supply.


I made a diagram. You would probably need a resistor to keep from blowing the transistor.
A transistor is really tiny. I just made it large in the image for viewing purposes.



It just acts as a switch. It will not send any signal through the wire (as if nothing was connected at all), until the PC is turned on.


Now, I have no idea if this would actually fix your problem, or if there is a better way. But is is an idea on a possibility.

Xoxol

should it be spliced into ground audio wire? I have rca cable running into aux input. Well, its a special aux adapter for my Pioneer HU.

ArcaneDreams

Well, your first test would be to unhook the auxiliary input, and see if you still have the noise.

If the noise goes away then this method should work.

You can try to use it on the negative wire of the RCA cord. If that doesn't work you can have a separate transistor on both the negative and positive wires of the RCA cord.

You may want to test it out with an old cord first, but I am guessing this method should take care of your problem.

Xoxol

I will try as soon as I have time, thanks a lot. I''ll post my results.
Thanks again.

ArcaneDreams

Be sure to talk to a guy at radio shack about them. There are different kinds of transistors.

Tell him what you are trying to do, and he should be able to tell you what size resistor and what type of transistor you would need.

I would tell you, but it has been a while since I have messed about with transistors, and they are named by number.

Like, a Type 9309 transistor. I have not committed all the types to memory lol.

hoodlum

When i unplug my cables from the computer to amp. No static, or any strange sounds.
When its pluged in, and my PC is OFF, then I get the static. I dont have a headunit. I only have an amp and carputer.

ArcaneDreams

Well that confirms that you will need some sort of switch. And I still think a transistor will be your best bet.

Either that or just throw in a manual switch to "un-plug/plug-in" your input.

hailrazer

I have the same problem. I am using an external soundcard. While the pc is booting I get alternator whining/buzzing/clicking until windows starts.

I have a switch to keep the amp off until Windows start but it is still a PITA. What about grounding the external soundcard or PC?

hoodlum

Is there an RCA off switch?

Xoxol

I tried it today and the noise disappeared, so you were right. I'll try to do this mod as you said, thanks.