GL1800Riders Forums banner

Noise from modulator

1K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by  Sean McCarthy 
#1 ·
OK, I checked with the board and everyone assured me I would not have any interference/noise in the audio when the headlight modulator was working. Not. When the modulator is on, I get the rithmic sound of the unit operating. Just a buzz-buzz-buzz. Now it is not so bad that I need to shut off the modulator, but it is annoying. Anyone got a solution/fix?
 
#2 ·
Not enough info.........it all depends.

My bike did that, with the signal dynamics modulator. It would pulse through the GPS and any additional gadgets connected. But not the factory audio or the CB.

I installed power filters ahead of the GPS/MP3 and all was cool. My radar detector would do that too, so put a power filter ahead of that. I have it wired into the left earpiece in the headset.

For sure it will do that sometimes.

Could be and could depend on where the ground it tied in........unless it is a plug and play one, then not sure how to solve that.
 
#3 ·
Same unit, SD. I do have Sat Radio with EC GLI that cured the alternator whine. No GPS/Sat radio combo. Do have a Kennedy Cell set installed for Garmin 2720. The sensor for the SD is routed behind removable front cover (with speaker grills) just above the left speaker. Maybe relocate this?
 
#4 ·
Nope the sensor and or its location has nothing to do with it. You can place that anywhere you wish to.

Where the ground ties in can greatly effect things though , as you tend to get a ground loop effect if tied into a circuit close to the light circuit.

You can try a jump wire from the ground to the battery, or other location, that may cure it, but I suspect you will end up using power filters ahead of the add on features.

Sometimes simply isolating the modulator wires from the rest of the bikes wires will help, the induction from the modulator pulse will travel into the other wires. Aluminum wrap on sheathing, or aluminum HVAC tape works for that. None of the bikes seem to act the same, on one it can be one thing, and on another something else, but generally if you stop the induction through the wires and use power filters on add on features it all stops.
 
#5 ·
Kit-you mention a power filter for the add on's but what do classify as the add on and can you point me to the power filter. The modulator is a plug and play unit, no external power needed and the sound I am getting appears to be in the factory audio. Shielding does seem like a logical step.
 
#6 ·
Kit-you mention a power filter for the add on's but what do classify as the add on and can you point me to the power filter. The modulator is a plug and play unit, no external power needed and the sound I am getting appears to be in the factory audio. Shielding does seem like a logical step.
I purchased the power filters through EC, electrical connection.

Now, from an common sense and economical outlook, it might be cheaper and better to try a different modulator. Return the brand that is causing the situation.

I have never attempted to put a power filter inline before the factory audio unit. Not sure that would even work as it is a complex system with an amp and many circuits. On my bike the modulator never effected the factory audio, but for sure came through loud and clear on the GPS and MP3, the radar detector etc. I was able to isolate that by the use of the power filters. I also wrapped the actual modulator module in aluminum foam tape.
 
#8 ·
Ogrebro-same unit. I thought it was SD. My mistake. Per chance do you have a Kennedy Cell set? My thought is I need to isolate by deduction of issues.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top