Removing alternator whine

[amalventano1@comcast.net (Allyn)]

Brad,
    Quite honestly, however you ground your components, if they are sensitive to a ripple voltage in
the power supply, you will get whine. The key is to get rid of the ripple. A huge capacitor
installed and wired as close to the alternator will probably help.
Al

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad Sterling" <bgsterling@earthlink.net>
To: "Scirocco List" <scirocco-L@scirocco.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2002 7:16 PM
Subject: Removing alternator whine


> Hi all,
>
> This if for the electrical and stereo folk.  Quite some time ago, I put a
> sub in the spare tire well.  Ever since, I've had alternator whine.  It's
> not too bad during the day (nothing a little volume won't cure), but when
> the lights or fan are on and the alternator is working harder, it's way too
> much.  This is my setup in my '86 16v:
>
> Stock head unit
> Rear channels from head unit out to high input in on 4-channel amp
> Front channels from head unit out to high input in on 2 channel amp
> From 4-channel amp out to left and right rear deck speakers and bridged
> channel to sub
> From 2-channel amp out to left and right front door speakers
> Both amps are connected to a power block and a grounding block
> The power to the power block comes from 2ga wire direct to the battery
> switched through a 40A relay
> The ground to the ground block comes from 2ga wire grounded at the battery
> Power wires are running down the driver's side
> Powered antenna wire is running down the center tunnel
> Front speaker inputs and outputs are running down the passenger side
>
> So far today, I've done the following:
> I've pulled out all of the seats and pulled out the center console.
> I pulled up the speaker wire that I ran to and from the front speakers and
> they're draped up over the console to the amp so they aren't crossing any
> power wires.
> I've moved the primary ground wire from the battery to the rear seat
> seatbelt mount.
> I've used a jumper wire to the authentic VW ground point on the back hatch.
> I've disconnected the 4-channel (rear speakers and sub) amp.
>
> None of this has worked.  So, for those in the know, where should I ground
> the ground box?  Where are potential problem spots that introduce whine?
> I'm running out of ideas and patience, so any info would help.
>
> - Brad
> '86.5 Volkswagen Scirocco 16v
> '76 International Scout II
>
>
>
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