I just tried out using a laptop PC to play a movie, while powering it from the AC outlet. That worked fine until I tried to play audio through the Patriots sound system via the Aux input. The movie sound came through, but so did a lot of electrical static/noise that increased as the volume was turned up.

I suspect the Pat's inverter created noise that somehow coupled into the Aux input. Or perhaps the PC power converter is the culprit. Anybody else have issues like this?

I'll have to try it out later and let ya know...

You may be able to get a noise reduction filter from Radio Shack that might cut down on the static....

I've seen this problem with after market power inverters. Try giving it another earth ground, and see if that helps. I.E. run a ground wire from the ground plug to a non painted bolt or something on the chassis.

Thanks for the feedback. The ground idea sounds like a good first step. Will let you know as soon as I do that.
I figured that Radio Shack would have some kind of inline filter - that might do the trick too.

The male-male cord I have going from the headphone to the Aux input is a pretty cheap one (probably not well shielded) - I thought maybe the noise is coupling in through the air between the inverter and the cord.

By taking your ground from your laptop and running it to chassis ground will not give you an earth ground. This is due to the tires you are driving on being insulators and not allowing a complete path, by doing this, you are actually connecting your ground to the negative terminal of your battery in the vehicle. If you happen to have an FM transmitter laying around, try plugging that into your audio output on the laptop and tune your radio to the frequency and see if you are still getting the hum. If there is no hum, the cord is the culprit. I guess the same can be done with earphones too.

Been meaning to try this, we finally got a cable for the ipod and so I had hubby play with that and then try running a dvd through the laptop. Both plugged/unplugged from the power outlet and using a belkin cable ($5 at walmart) for the aux connection, he had static at first, but adjusted the equalizer band on the radio and was able to solve it. We have a year old dell laptop. Hope that helps.

Been meaning to try this, we finally got a cable for the ipod and so I had hubby play with that and then try running a dvd through the laptop. Both plugged/unplugged from the power outlet and using a belkin cable ($5 at walmart) for the aux connection, he had static at first, but adjusted the equalizer band on the radio and was able to solve it. We have a year old dell laptop. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the advice! - just took a trip using the laptop to play movies - but the kids used earphones so I did not try to use the stereo Aux input to play the sound. There was no static thru the earphones when using the AC power plug.

I will experiment with the treble/mid/bass adjustment ASAP.

I've used an iPod and Powerbook G4 in my Patriot and the sound quality has been fine (so far) with both of them!

If regrounding it to another spot on the vehicle does not work, try and located a ground loop isolator that can possibly fit your needs. I think it will be hard though.

Been meaning to try this, we finally got a cable for the ipod and so I had hubby play with that and then try running a dvd through the laptop. Both plugged/unplugged from the power outlet and using a belkin cable ($5 at walmart) for the aux connection, he had static at first, but adjusted the equalizer band on the radio and was able to solve it. We have a year old dell laptop. Hope that helps.


This is the best cable you can get for your application. It will filter out some noise. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-W9eyIh2Pfj4/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=20114&I=119MINIST1&search=Monster+VENDORID119&SearchDisplay=Monster

This is the best cable you can get for your application. It will filter out some noise. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-W9eyIh2Pfj4/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=20114&I=119MINIST1&search=Monster+VENDORID119&SearchDisplay=Monster

Thanks!

It will filter out some noise.

how??

Think he means that the cable will create less noise

how??

Every Monster Cable is magnetically shielded to prevent absorbtion of unwanted noise coming in through the cable. So I cant say it will totally eliminate the unwanted noise you are getting, but starting with the best wire is a good step to begin pinpointing your trouble source.

Thanks!

Welcome! I am a DJ, I have to know about wires!:banana: