Have any of you guys had issues with electrical noise interference (sounds like a ground loop issue) when powering a music source from the power outlets? I run my phone through my aux input and it works great but I get some crazy interference as soon as I plug it into power. I've tried three different phones now and they've all done it in this car so it's either the power adapter or the car. I haven't picked up a different adapter yet but I don't want to bother if it's a common issue.

 

i haven't personally experienced this. I would expect you should see some signal noise but not as much as you're describing. I would try someone else's power adapter before buying another one but it sounds like the adapter is your issue to me.

 

I had this issue as well, with my Epic Touch 4G. I found that the issue appears to be coming from having all 3 RCA plugs plugged in. Since the 3.5 mm out does not provide video out, I just did a trial and error, removing one and plugging it back in until I found the one that caused the whine from the power source. For me, it was the one on the left. Once that one was removed, there was no whine and I still got stereo sound. I don't know if a better shielded aux cable would prevent this. The cable I have is pretty low quality. I have a new one coming in that is better shielded but only has 2 plugs, so it shouldn't be an issue any more, I think.

Maybe this will help you?

 

I just went out to check but I only have the audio (left is video) jacks connected. I'm going to pick up a new RCA cable and power adapter soon to see if it makes any difference. Next step after that will be a ground loop isolator at the RCA jacks. This seems like a silly issue to have with a decent car.

 

I agree! I'll let you know how my new cable works, and test a few power adapters.

 

AC Adapters are noisy by nature. Some noise is to be expected when they are running off of your car's power source. I'd be curious to find out if a ground loop isolator helps you in this case.