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Rigbuilder_1
Junior Member
Username: Rigbuilder_1

Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 6:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

what is best solution for alternator whine.
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Billsimcox
Junior Member
Username: Billsimcox

Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2010
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 4:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

are you connected directly to the battery?
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 1331
Registered: 4-2004


Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ground, ground ground.

The two most common causes for alternator whine are a bad connection, usually but not always the ground, and a bad diode in the alternator.

Check your connections for good, clean tight connections going straight to the battery for both plus and minus lines.

Have your alternator checked for a straight dc out with no AC component - DO NOT really on a multimeter to do that, as it will not tell you the full story.

The other month, I developed a sudden whine on my signals, while on a long trip. After stopping for lunch I went to restart the car and nothing - no lights no click, just total dead.A check, which I should have done earlier showed a loose battery connection. A quick retighten, a jump start and away I went with no whine on the signal anymore.

If all else fails try a filter on the power leads.
Tech237
N7AUS

God only made some many perfect head, on the rest he put hair.
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Press_man
Intermediate Member
Username: Press_man

Post Number: 132
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 4:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Boy!
Sometimes that whine can just get away from you.
I had a '78 Ford LTD Sport II with a 80amp alternator that whined like a baby crying. I checked the alt. and found a bad diode so I replaced the diode ring with a 100 amp ring. The worst of the whine went away.

I grounded the hood and bingo, it got worse! From here I grounded the trunk lid, doors, put a cap and choke on the alternator and with each, things got better. I had the radio and amp direct to the battery on welding cable and used 1/2" wide copper stranded straps for grounds but still, I had some whine, though small now. After a good head scratch and a few 4 letter words I decided I had nothing to loose and put a 1f cap inline between the battery and radio/amp and grounded the entire exhaust.

I started the car, turned on the radio, no whine! I turned off the NB and ANL no whine. Now I had spark plug noise. I changed the wires and now picked up road noise so I took off the K-40 and replaced it with a Turner, no more road noise. I had the same signals from and to all my friends so now I had blissful happyness. BTW I tried a bumper mounted Francis whip, had noise! I tried a steel whip, had noise with it too.

Finding the cause of noise can be a job, but a learning experience too. Now when I install a mobile I ground and filter everything, just saves me from saying naughty words I regret later. Hope I helped!
Wally/Pressman/KC4ZWM

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