Alternator Noise

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by madmoneymike5, May 19, 2020.

  1. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    My carrier hooked me up with a brand new 2021 Cascadia. So I'm having to install my radio all over again.

    I spent several hours yesterday routing antenna and power wiring through the driver's side of the engine compartment and behind the dash to come up through the center of the dash. I made sure it was all very clean and organized. Coiled the excess antenna wire into a figure-8. Power comes from the battery (soldered in-line 15 amp fuse close to battery) for both my radio and West Mountain Radio ClrSpkr.

    Sadly, I have even more alternator noise now than when I had it powered through the fuse box in my last truck (2018 Cascadia). At least, I think it's alternator noise--it's a whining noise that increases in pitch and volume with increase in RPM.

    The body is all fiberglass. Not sure where I could hook up grounding wires that would actually accomplish any good. I also have several ferrite chokes that go around the power wires. They've never helped, but it's more work to take them off and they didn't seem to make the problem worse, so I left 'em on.

    I would really appreciate any suggestions here.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    It also can be one of the following ...


    USB charger

    Eld power supply

    Body computer

    Ecm

    Someone reminded me how he ran his power, he used coax and a isolation filter to get rid of the noise.
     
  4. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks. I've never dealt with an isolation filter. Could you elaborate?
     
  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    madmoneymike5 Thanks this.
  6. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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  7. jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    what radio are you using? some radios have better filters than others to mask over whining noise...
     
  8. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Bonding may help..
     
  9. 169

    169 Bobtail Member

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    I had that issue and took a bolt off from where the seat mounts to the floor, took the paint off and used that for a ground, #1. Then you can run another ground through the firewall and connect to the frame. There are cut outs under the bunk where you can try another ground to the frame. Don't be afraid to get under the truck. I have been told the best ground is the shortest, but I chuckle at that. I ran power and had grounds all over, but never any engine noise.
     
  10. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    Cobra 29 LX

    I've got some straps. Just haven't found the time to do it or thought it places to try it on. Other than at the door (body is all fiberglass), where else would you suggest?
     
  11. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Start with both sides of door hinges....Sometime i have seen people say doing the ground wire upgrades on a car/truck/big rig helps...
    Try some ferrites on your power supply wires to the radio..
     
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