Hey all, i'll get straight to the topic at hand...

Well I have a four channel amplifier and also using my stock non-bose head unit (2000 max se), and using 2 line output converters. The line output converts I have seem like dinky cheap devices, they came free with my amplifer (profile 1040). The only time I get alternator whine, is when I turn the headunit on, if the headunit is turned off, and the amp is still running, there is no whine, but once the headunit is powered on, the whine begins. I narrowed out the problem to be either the head unit or the line output converters. I did this by unplugging the line output converters from the rca inputs on the amplifier, and instead plugged in my portable mp3 player using a phono jack to rca wire adapter thing, and i had no alternator whine at all (did this with car running and revving motor). Now, I'm assuming that since this is the stock head unit, there really shouldnt be an issue of grounding, as prior to the amp install, i had no alternator whine from the head unit, so the next culprit in line, would have to the be line output converters, am I right? Should I change them?

Also, the amp is grounded to the spare tire wheel well in the trunk. Would the use of the antenna adapter - which i used for the installation of my FM modulated cd changer, cause grounding issues with the head unit, i'm not sure, because i had the adapter in before I installed the amplifier, and I still didnt have any alternator whine. basically all alternator whine issues arised after the install of the amp with the line output converter...

 

Try moving the line output converters before you go ahead and replace them...In a number of cars Ive worked on, civics especially, if the LOCs are too close to other wires in the dash theyll cause noise, not positive on maximas. You shouldnt have to redo the wiring, just move them around a little in the dash and see if that changes anything.

 

The thing is, with these particular converters, they have the male rather then the female ends, so they aren't in the dashboard, they are right next to the amplifier, and i had to take 4 pairs of speaker wire from each door to the converter which is by the amp...

 

Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't this what a ground loop isolator is for?

 

Sounds like WAY too much work for very little payoff...you could always get a head unit...

 

thats actually a worse product to get for the simple fact some RCAs out there are sheilded, most speaker wire isn't. That's more than likely your problem right there. I would definitley spend the like $0-$3 more to get the other style.

 

Yea thats what i assumed...

It wasn't that I didn't want to spend the money, it's just that the converters were free and came with the amp in the box. Oh well, now can someone point me to a place where I can get 2 converters that are nicely priced, I don't have alot of money to spend, but I'd like to fix the problem. Converters that people here have used in the past that were of no cause to alternator whine :-D. Thanks all..

 

Also, what should I look for when buying a line out converter? I was going to invest my money on a pair of $7 Boss converters, should I? I want to get rid of this damn alternator whine already!!

 

Well almost all of the LOCs I've used I haven't had a problem of whining. Also a good set of RCA cables will help reduce any possible noise.

If the whining still continues, you might want to do the big 3 on your charging system. This is basicly replacing the cables on your alternator and grounds to a larger size. www.mattblehm.com has sets for most Maximas.

 

lol...this whining has nothing to do with your alternator...so the "big 3" which can always be done, will not reduce your whine WHATSOEVER! the whine is noise from your LOC's...Nismo3112 was correct about the ground loop isolator...most LOC's (good ones anyway) will have a seperate ground that you can hook up in case your system has noise in it...also, you generally want the LOC's as close to the head unit as possible...and then RCA's off of that...least chances for noise. you might be able to eliminate the whine by changing your wiring...or you might have to simply buy better LOC's...i use stinger ones at work all the time and we have very few problems with them (SALOC).

 

Actually incorrect.

A dying alternator Can cause a whine.

LOCs can be mounted anywhere you please, its not going to make a difference in the front or rear. I from habiot mount them at the HU, in the event the person may upgrade to a aftermarket HU at some point.

 

but the whine caused from an alternator going bad will be heard from the alternator itself...not through the speakers. any feedback you hear through the speakers is a noise problem...

 

If You say so, what do I know?

 

A poor performing battery can cause alternator whine...have you diagnosed it?

 

are you following me now?

 

I second the ground loop isolator idea. You have power wire/speaker wire run on opposite sides of the car right???

 

lol...hey pearlmax..have you responded to my numerous pms about the touchscreen dvd monitor?..just wondering.

 

If you sent it to the name you just typed it would explain why I have received none of them.

 

i clicked your pm thing..ill pnme it again when i get a chance once again...keep a look out please.