Radio Noise

[five]

We have the standard Navion R 5000 radio, that incorporates AM/FM/CD/Sat, cameras, GPS, TP, engine data, etc. The radio works fine with the engine off. With the engine on, the right speaker is scratchy (on and off) and the left speaker cuts on and off. I've pulled the access cover off and everything appears secure as are both speakers. Can't find the ground.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[dickandlois]

From your information it sounds like everything else is working properly, Right.

Do you know how to disable the Alternator Exciter circuit? The I pin or connection at the alternator, that is powered only when the ignition switch is in start.

Should you radio noise go away then its and issue with the alternator connections, Ground being the big one or an issue with the regulator or brushes at the top of the list.

Should that not clear he problem, then look for the speaker grounds as a problem. Sometimes real close to where the speakers are mounted.

If they are clean and tight, the the other item that can cause the problem are the speaker cones themselves.

Rich.

[wayne77590]

Check the connections for cold solder joints, if they wires are soldered to the speaker. Or, the solder on the push on terminal. It should be shiny, not dull looking. If you checked the push on terminal and it felt tight, how about the wire going to the back of the push on terminal. It could have been improperly attached (bad solder) or badly crimped. Wiggle it, see what happens. Also check the back of the radio connections.

I once had a vehicle that was producing whining and crackling sounds. Pulled the alternator apart and found four diodes with one leg of one diode not soldered at the factory. Any loose electrical wires can be an antenna transmitting a frequence that the speaker(s) are picking up. Check all electrical connections - everywhere.

As **** stated, check the speaker cone. It should not be dented in. If it is then try putting a vacuum on it and suck the dent out. A vacuum cleaner with flow control at the nozzle and a modified piece of cardboard shaped in the form of a cone and as wide at the far end as the speaker should do for pulling the dent out.

That's a start.

Edited: if the noise is from an electrical source in the MH or engine, an L or PI filter consisting of a small transformer and a couple capacitors can be put on the input power line to the radio to filter the noise out. Shady-ol-rack used to sell the kits.

[dickandlois]

R 5000 connections.

The power and ground connections are in the 16 pin Molex connector. Pins 1 and 9= yellow wire supply 12 power. 16 ga wire yellow.

Pins 6 and 14 are the ground connection. 16 ga, wire black.

Same connector pin 10=white / black wire = left front ground, pin 2 positive left side.

Pin 11= Right side speaker ground, pin 3= right speaker positive.

All connections are made using wire nuts or terminal blocks depending on OEM Coach.

Rich.

[five]

Thanks guys, I'll check your suggestions out next time I'm at the MH.

[dickandlois]

By the way do not forget to reconnect the Alternator exciter wire after you see it the alternator is the source of your noise.

It's a bummer having dead batteries.

Rich.

[N7KGA]

Good morning;

There were also some references to "ground wires" for the speakers. Please note that there are many radios made in recent years where both sides of the speaker connections ARE NOT connected to ground, but are floated off ground on the output connections of the final audio amplifier in the radio for each speaker. Connecting either side of such an amplifier directly to ground can damage the amplifier in a way that will not be covered by any applicable manufacturer warranty.

Either get the radio manufacturer's installation and servicing information for the radio and understand and use that information, or take the vehicle with the radio to a shop which does work on that kind of equipment, and might even be a recognized service center for that manufacturer.

Enjoy;

Ralph

Latte Land, Washington