Garmin StreetPilot 2720 to StarCom1 - Buzzing

[Silverbear]

Hello All,

I am hoping that one of the many wizards on this board encountered and solved the problem I am experiencing, and is willing to share his or her wisdom.

I just hooked up my new Garmin StreetPilot 2720 to my older StarCom1 unit. I hear the voice commands just fine through my helmet speakers, but unfortunately, I am also getting a very annoying, constant buzz when the GPS is plugged into the system. If the GPS is not plugged in, all my music, intercom, and GRMS is working without any buzzing. I tried switching wires, and connecting the GPS directly to the StarCom unit, disconnecting everything else, all with the same result. The GPS is powered directly by the FJR's battery through the BatteryTender SAE connection, and a Garmin Motorcycle power/audio cable. I did a search on this board for a solution, but was not able to find a topic with the same issue. Another thread talked about week audio signal through an Autocom unit, but my signal strength is fine.

Your help and thoughts are greatly appreciated,

Silverbear

 

[Ignacio]

Probably one you'd have to talk to Jeff about, but I had some issues with a cable that had the right connector, but wasn't the properly "isolated" type cable. I think I ended up going with a CAB-35....or maybe comparable. Check the link and you'll see a section that's heat shrinked and has some extra stuff in there that an electronics whiz could probably explain. For me, it was easier just to pay the extra cash for the pre-done cable.

 

[Bike Effects]

Hello All,
I am hoping that one of the many wizards on this board encountered and solved the problem I am experiencing, and is willing to share his or her wisdom.

I just hooked up my new Garmin StreetPilot 2720 to my older StarCom1 unit. I hear the voice commands just fine through my helmet speakers, but unfortunately, I am also getting a very annoying, constant buzz when the GPS is plugged into the system. If the GPS is not plugged in, all my music, intercom, and GRMS is working without any buzzing. I tried switching wires, and connecting the GPS directly to the StarCom unit, disconnecting everything else, all with the same result. The GPS is powered directly by the FJR's battery through the BatteryTender SAE connection, and a Garmin Motorcycle power/audio cable. I did a search on this board for a solution, but was not able to find a topic with the same issue. Another thread talked about week audio signal through an Autocom unit, but my signal strength is fine.

Your help and thoughts are greatly appreciated,

Silverbear

What is the part number of the cable you are using and what is it plugged in to on either end?

 

[Silverbear]

Bike Effects and Ignacio

Thank you for your replies.

From the Motorcycle power/Audio cable (Garmin P/N:010-10495-02) I am using a Radio Shack 1/8" to 1/8" extension cord all the way to the StarCom1 unit. I use a 1/8" to 3/32" adapter plug to fit the 1/8" extension into the audio outlet of the Garmin cable. I also tried my StarCom GRMS cable (3/32" jack to PS2 plug), which I plugged directly into the Radio port of the StarCom1, with the same results.

I am not sure if this is the information you've asked for, but I don't know the exact part numbers for the cables. The cable Ignacio linked to seems to be dedicated to this task. Maybe I have to shell out the extra bucks to get a usable connection.

Silverbear

 

[Bike Effects]

Bike Effects and Ignacio
Thank you for your replies.

From the Motorcycle power/Audio cable (Garmin P/N:010-10495-02) I am using a Radio Shack 1/8" to 1/8" extension cord all the way to the StarCom1 unit. I use a 1/8" to 3/32" adapter plug to fit the 1/8" extension into the audio outlet of the Garmin cable. I also tried my StarCom GRMS cable (3/32" jack to PS2 plug), which I plugged directly into the Radio port of the StarCom1, with the same results.

I am not sure if this is the information you've asked for, but I don't know the exact part numbers for the cables. The cable Ignacio linked to seems to be dedicated to this task. Maybe I have to shell out the extra bucks to get a usable connection.

Silverbear

For sure you need an Isolated cable for anything that is bike powered to be connected to the Starcom. What you need is a CAB-35. You can see it by clicking here.

 

[Silverbear]

Bike Effects,

Thank you for your advice. I ordered the part a few minutes ago.

Joe

 

[FLHX]

I just got a 2720 for my other bike and now want to install it on my FJR also. Can someone recommend a cheap set of earphones that I can plug into the 2720 power/audio cable. I will never use them for music, just voice directions so the sound quality doesnt have to be anything special. Will I also need the CAB-35 cable to surpress any noise?

Thanks

 

[sgoat]

Try Radio Shack. I think they have a decent set of in-ear speakers for around $30.00 that have an inline volume control. Might work for ya.....

 

[Silverbear]

As a test I tried plugging a headphone directly into the GPS power/audio cable directly when I was trying to trouble shoot the buzzing issue, but to my surprise, the headphones did not work. Actually, I tried two sets of headphones that I know are good, but neither worked. I don't know why.

By the way, the Isolated cable arrived today, and I tried it. The buzzing is gone and it works like a charm. Thank you all for the recommendation again.

Silverbear

 

[Chips]

I have a 2610 so this may apply to the 2720 as well. The audio output jack is a monaural jack and needs to be converted to a stereo jack that heaphones will fit into. I believe I found the adapter at Radio Shack.

 

[evan3161]

Hello All,
I am hoping that one of the many wizards on this board encountered and solved the problem I am experiencing, and is willing to share his or her wisdom.

I just hooked up my new Garmin StreetPilot 2720 to my older StarCom1 unit. I hear the voice commands just fine through my helmet speakers, but unfortunately, I am also getting a very annoying, constant buzz when the GPS is plugged into the system. If the GPS is not plugged in, all my music, intercom, and GRMS is working without any buzzing. I tried switching wires, and connecting the GPS directly to the StarCom unit, disconnecting everything else, all with the same result. The GPS is powered directly by the FJR's battery through the BatteryTender SAE connection, and a Garmin Motorcycle power/audio cable. I did a search on this board for a solution, but was not able to find a topic with the same issue. Another thread talked about week audio signal through an Autocom unit, but my signal strength is fine.

Your help and thoughts are greatly appreciated,

Silverbear

I have exactly the same set up on my '06, with the same problem buzz. After contacting Starcom directly they advised that the noise was related to the ignition and the only way to eliminate it is via careful routing of the COM-35 cable. The routing that I had was through the openings below the top triple clamp (there are several electrical and hydraulic lines there) into the space between the tank and aluminium heat sheild, down the inside of the right hand side of the frame and then on to the Starcom1 box which I have located in the small space between the tailight assembly and the seat.

In attempting to eliminate the buzz, I experimented with various cable routings. The only part of the routing that picks up the ignition noise is where it passes the cylinder head area. I found that routing on the left hand side was better but I could not find any way of totaly eliminating the buzz using any reasonable, concealed cable route. If you crack the problem, please post the result, as I am not yet satisfied with the result so far..

 

[Bike Effects]

[ If you crack the problem, please post the result, as I am not yet satisfied with the result so far..

I think he did. See the post two before yours.