Better Ground Loop Isolator than Radio Shack

jonbeck · 08-21-2006, 10:19 PM

After installing the DICE, I had the noise with my XM radio through the Aux input. I ran down to the local radio shack and purchased the Ground loop isolator that is in the manual. I thought everything was fine, but today on the drive to work, I notice a high pitch whine, especially when accelerating or on EV. When gliding, the noise is not there. It's pretty quiet, but noticeable on the talk channels and baseball games. I've got a feeling that, like most Radio Shack products, this one isn't one of the best available.

Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have any recs on a better quality ground loop isolator?

thanks

benlenz · 08-22-2006, 05:53 AM

I have the Harman/Kardon Drive+Play and had lots of ground loop noise.

I bought a ground loop isolator from Crutchfield. Abt $25 with shipping. I've only had it about a week, but it seems to be doing the job very well. Nice and quiet.

It has standard 1/8 inch miniplugs, too, so there's no need for adapters to RCA.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YcfpvR3Ezg5/c...oop&i=127SNI135

jonbeck · 08-23-2006, 10:26 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(garbageman @ Aug 22 2006, 02:53 AM) [snapback]307382[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have the Harman/Kardon Drive+Play and had lots of ground loop noise.

I bought a ground loop isolator from Crutchfield. Abt $25 with shipping. I've only had it about a week, but it seems to be doing the job very well. Nice and quiet.

It has standard 1/8 inch miniplugs, too, so there's no need for adapters to RCA.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YcfpvR3Ezg5/c...oop&i=127SNI135
[/b]

Thanks, I'll give it a try! I'll be able to clean up about 6 feet of RCA adaptors too.

aaf709 · 08-24-2006, 12:59 AM

I'll be needing another Ground Loop Isolator for the house. Maybe I'll get this one and use it in the Prius and take Radio Shack one I have there out for the house.

Thanks for posting!

aolm · 08-24-2006, 09:26 PM

GLI's kill all your frequency response. You would better off with an FM interface. Check out "This sticky topic is a list of hardware products/mods currently known to work with the Prius " on this site for a fix.

darelldd · 08-25-2006, 01:08 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(garbageman @ Aug 22 2006, 02:53 AM) [snapback]307382[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have the Harman/Kardon Drive+Play and had lots of ground loop noise.

I bought a ground loop isolator from Crutchfield. Abt $25 with shipping. I've only had it about a week, but it seems to be doing the job very well. Nice and quiet.

It has standard 1/8 inch miniplugs, too, so there's no need for adapters to RCA.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YcfpvR3Ezg5/c...oop&i=127SNI135
[/b]

How are you guys buying those things!? Every time I look it is out of stock. I'm on the notification list, and I have it in my cart... been that way for months, and it never seems to come into stock!

DaveSheremata · 08-25-2006, 10:35 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aolm @ Aug 24 2006, 09:26 PM) [snapback]309118[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

GLI's kill all your frequency response. You would better off with an FM interface. Check out "This sticky topic is a list of hardware products/mods currently known to work with the Prius " on this site for a fix.
[/b]

It all depends on whether they're FET based or transformer based. (well, II think most of the FETs need a sink transformer too...). There doesn't have to be signal loss with either design - it's just that vendors like to sell $12 parts for $60.

Generally you'd do best with an FET based isolator, but requires a power source...

Dave

dancekat59 · 08-25-2006, 12:04 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Aug 25 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]309198[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

How are you guys buying those things!? Every time I look it is out of stock. I'm on the notification list, and I have it in my cart... been that way for months, and it never seems to come into stock!
[/b]

Huh. The notification system must not work because I ordered and received the crutchfield one about a month ago.

brandon · 08-25-2006, 12:24 PM

Well, if you know how to solder, you can build your own, but I'm guessing the Radio Shack alternative will cost less.

http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundl...r_building.html

aolm · 08-25-2006, 10:53 PM

Sounds like I lucked out on the GLI thing. I have an aux box in for my Sirius receiver. It plays clean. I had to install a GLI in my sienna van for the aux box to aftermarket DVD...sounds very flat and low. DaveSheremata is suggesting that I should try a FET based GLI with a power source?

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08-21-2006, 10:19 PM	#1
jonbeck Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 43 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	After installing the DICE, I had the noise with my XM radio through the Aux input. I ran down to the local radio shack and purchased the Ground loop isolator that is in the manual. I thought everything was fine, but today on the drive to work, I notice a high pitch whine, especially when accelerating or on EV. When gliding, the noise is not there. It's pretty quiet, but noticeable on the talk channels and baseball games. I've got a feeling that, like most Radio Shack products, this one isn't one of the best available. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have any recs on a better quality ground loop isolator? thanks

08-22-2006, 05:53 AM	#2
benlenz Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 31 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have the Harman/Kardon Drive+Play and had lots of ground loop noise. I bought a ground loop isolator from Crutchfield. Abt $25 with shipping. I've only had it about a week, but it seems to be doing the job very well. Nice and quiet. It has standard 1/8 inch miniplugs, too, so there's no need for adapters to RCA. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YcfpvR3Ezg5/c...oop&i=127SNI135

08-24-2006, 12:59 AM	#4
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'll be needing another Ground Loop Isolator for the house. Maybe I'll get this one and use it in the Prius and take Radio Shack one I have there out for the house. Thanks for posting!

08-24-2006, 09:26 PM	#5
aolm Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 55 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	GLI's kill all your frequency response. You would better off with an FM interface. Check out "This sticky topic is a list of hardware products/mods currently known to work with the Prius " on this site for a fix.

08-25-2006, 12:24 PM	#9
brandon Proud member of the "Lunatic Fringe" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Manhattan, KS Posts: 769 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, if you know how to solder, you can build your own, but I'm guessing the Radio Shack alternative will cost less. http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundl...r_building.html

08-25-2006, 10:53 PM	#10
aolm Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 55 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Sounds like I lucked out on the GLI thing. I have an aux box in for my Sirius receiver. It plays clean. I had to install a GLI in my sienna van for the aux box to aftermarket DVD...sounds very flat and low. DaveSheremata is suggesting that I should try a FET based GLI with a power source?