How do I set up a ground loop isolator?

seashore22

I've just bought a bluetooth transmitter for my car and I'm getting some static and a horrible high pitched whine when I'm accelerating and going up the gears. I believe this is a ground loop problem and that this may be solved with a ground loop isolator.

I've Googled and youtubed for hours and can't find out exactly how this is set up. I love youtube, but as a middle aged woman I'm having trouble relating to all the US dudes and their car kit, as they seem to assume some knowledge. All videos seem to include plugging into an aux port which I can't find on my car. Is there a set up that will work without having to do this? I don't want to buy something that won't work.

My daughter used her transmitter of the same make, but slightly different design in my car and it worked fine. At least in didn't have the horrible whine.

Thanks.

System

You plug it into the socket of whatever you plug your bluetooth kit into, you plug your bluetooth kit into the isolator.

Is your bluetooth transmitter one that gets its power from the car? How does it connect up for playing back received audio from the phone call?

seashore22

It's a unit that plugs into the lighter port, so is a bluetooth transmitter and charger. Like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01K4R8RLM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So would you plug the isolator into the bluetooth transmitter and that's it? Nothing goes from the isolator to something else (phone, car aux)?

I'm more interested in listening to podcasts than using my phone. I would rarely have to take a call while driving.

AndyPix

Your aux port is most likely in the glove box . What car is it .
A standard cheap GLI should do it

seashore22

It's a 2006/7 Ford Fiesta. No aux port in the glove box unfortunately. Do I need to have aux port to plug the GLA into? I'm guessing the answer is yes.

AndyPix

I dunno - im struggling with this one ..
I cant really see where the ground loop is if you are not connecting an aux cable ..
Maybe the stereo its self has a bad ground ?


But then again if your daughters doesnt do it then :huh:


Maybe return the device and get a different one . Was it a cheap chinese one ?

seashore22

It was inexpensive, but had lots of good reviews and my daughter has the more recent version of it. I ordered a different one in error, but it still seemed to be a decent one. To be honest I'm not bothered enough to want to spend lots of money on this. This may be my first Amazon return, which isn't bad going considering how much I buy from them.

It's the one I linked to.

Heedtheadvice

Why do you think it is a ground loop problem?

It possibly is with that design of transmitter but if your daughter's tx works fine, albeit a different model, probably far easier and better tovreturn yours as it has a problem and buy the model you know works.

To me the symptoms are more like the design being more prone to interference and in that case it is not fit for purpose of advertised as being suitable. Amazon usually very good at accepting returns.

seashore22

I googled what was happening and that's what popped up - a ground loop issue that was solved by a isolator. The whine only happened when I was accelerating and increased revs on the engine.

RumRat

There is no Aux input on that vehicle.
You may be better off searching on ebay for a BT radio to replace the current one. Those transmitters aren't the best solution.

Lorian

Given your daughters is ok and yours isn't it implies hers has better shielding or filtering on the input 12v supply.

You could spend ages and ££ replacing spark plug leads, checking engine earths etc and still have the problem.

The obvious solution would be to return it as not fit, and carefully source an identical model to your Daughters.