Help installing a Starcom Digital

[kulwen]

Is there anyone within a four hour ride of Reno, NV that is willing to help me install a Starcom Digital communication system? I am ready to throw this POS in the trash and start over.

1st attempt to install:

I got the unit installed under the seat and wired my helmet, GPS (Zumo), and radar detector (Escort 8500). Took it for a test ride and had interference from the engine. I needed to hit the road for a 3600 mile trip so I pulled everything out and put it in the tank bag. All seemed to work well, except I could not get the phone portion to work with the Zumo. It was also a pain in the butt to deal with the wires.

When I got home I ordered a starcom power cable with a filter on it.

2nd attempt to install:

I reinstalled the unit before hitting the road for another trip using the new power cable with filter. I was still getting interference from the engine, so I pulled the damn thing out from under the seat again and put it in the tank bag. I still could not get the Zumo/phone to work.

3rd attempt to install:

Installed the system again but ran all the wires down the left side of the bike. I still get interference from the engine. This time I was able to reduce the feedback down to the cable from the radar detector to the starcom. How the hell do I get past this? I am hitting the road in a few days and this is pissing me off, so I just pull it out again and put it in the tank bag. This time I did not bother to try the Zumo/phone option.

I accepted the fact I am not capable of installing the unit under my seat with my skill level and conceded it will have to live in my tank bag.

Today I decided I will finally get the rider-to-passenger to work. With the unit in my tank bag I still have issues.

1) With my music turned off I can hear my passenger’s music slightly.

2) With my passenger’s music turned down she can slightly hear my music.

3) When we get about 20mph all we hear is static and wind noise.

4) Still can not get the Zumo/phone feature to work.

This damn this is pissing me off. If, anyone within four hours of Reno, NV has installed one of these units I will pay to get my unit installed.

I do have all the required cables from Starcom.

 

[STC10]

If you haven't done so, give Bikeeffects a call. Jeff seems to know alot about these things, and from what I've heard he is always willing to help.

 

[Loki]

Just my 2c worth, but usually those who have had problems with engine feedback have one of about three problems:

1. The gauge wire you use to run from the battery to the unit is too small

2. The path (but you have already figured that one out) of the wire, and yes, left side appears to be the preferred way (though mine goes right under the tank)

3. The Grounding. Are you grounding to the battery, or to the frame? FWIW, I ran 12 gauge to the battery terminals (positive and negative) and while I do not have the digital (I have the advanced) it works like a charm under the seat.

Hope it helps

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

Jeff at Bike effects is four hours away...... ;>

 

[STC10]

Jeff at Bike effects is four hours away...... ;>

No, But he's as close as your nearest phone. He may be able to offer an easy solution.

 

[slowpoke]

What cables are you using?

 

[MartyA]

Static might be from either routing speaker cables too close to the spark plug wires or having the cables looped and crossing over themselves. That cross-over condition affected my Advance1 when I put the unit in the tank bag from under the pillion. I routed the intercom cables around the inside of the tank bag instead of right-angle crossover and that worked.

1) With my music turned off I can hear my passenger’s music slightly.2) With my passenger’s music turned down she can slightly hear my music.

3) When we get about 20mph all we hear is static and wind noise.

4) Still can not get the Zumo/phone feature to work.

The 1st 3 sound like the VOX is turned up too much, too much sensitivity, and you might try some volume and balance adjustments. It does take a few tries to get it right. I just replaced my full face speakers and mic and now my wife can hear the wind whistling in my helmet, with the old ones there was no noise. Mine is not the digital, but it took a couple of rides and adjustments to get it all working well. My MP3 player is heard fine in both helmets, and I can hear Sally talking over the music fine.

Sorry don't have a GPS yet so I can't answer to that.

You should talk to someone from where you purchased it. It should not be that hard. I did it....

 

[kulwen]

What cables are you using?

Radar Detector Cable:

Product ID: CAB-36A

Product Name: Nav/Radar Isolated Cable - Later Escort & Valentine - 3.5mm Plug (Attenuated)

Zumo Cables:

Product ID: MIC-01

Product Name: Microphone cable for Garmin zumoT/2820

Product ID: MUS-04

Product Name: Stereo isolated music lead (2m, 6.5 ft.) to 3.5mm jack

Thank you everyone for the input.

I managed to clear up the engine feedback by running the wires down the left side of the bike instead of the right side, except for the radar detector cable. This is odd to me since I am running all the cable in the same spot and only getting engine noise on a single cable.

I have tested running power and ground from my blue seas (grounded to battery) fuse box and directly to the battery. Both sources seem to be clean. In fact, I more then likely did not need to order the power cable filter. I ordered it right away when I got engine interference. Since then I identified the radar detector cable has the issues.

I will try to work with the VOX settings next week when I get home. I find the feedback of the music weird. I took the mic completely out of my helmet, wrapped in two towels, put it in a plastic zip lock bag, and could still hear my music in the other helmet. I assumed it was the VOX settings, but with no mic in the helmet I felt it was not an issue of the mic picking up the sound.

I may need to see what Jeff will charge me for the install and make a long road trip.

 

[Herkypilot]

The phone/zumo blue tooth issue is something you need to research on the Zumo forums. It sounds like one of two issues - your phone isn't compatible which you can check the Garmin site, I think they have a list. You may need to do the latest auto update of your zumo. IIRC, there was a blue tooth flash update for the unit a while back.

I have all the same setup as you, including the Blueseas fuse block. The only exception is I have the SC Adv. I used 12 ga wire from the batt to the Bseas. It was put in its own wire cover. I ran all the other wires together in it's own wire wrap. It has taken a couple of attemps to get it adjusted correctly using the info in the manual. I do have a slight engine noise, but its acceptable.

Herkypilot

 

[kulwen]

The phone/zumo blue tooth issue is something you need to research on the Zumo forums. It sounds like one of two issues - your phone isn't compatible which you can check the Garmin site, I think they have a list. You may need to do the latest auto update of your zumo. IIRC, there was a blue tooth flash update for the unit a while back.
Herkypilot

The phone and zumo work just fine in the auto mount. My issue issue is related to the set-up of the starcom. When I talk it will prevents me from hearing the person on the other end for 5 seconds or so. I am sure it is a starcom set-up issue I need to figure out.

 

[Jim15288]

The phone/zumo blue tooth issue is something you need to research on the Zumo forums. It sounds like one of two issues - your phone isn't compatible which you can check the Garmin site, I think they have a list. You may need to do the latest auto update of your zumo. IIRC, there was a blue tooth flash update for the unit a while back.
Herkypilot

The phone and zumo work just fine in the auto mount. My issue issue is related to the set-up of the starcom. When I talk it will prevents me from hearing the person on the other end for 5 seconds or so. I am sure it is a starcom set-up issue I need to figure out.

I do not have a radar detector, otherwise have the same setup. Blue Sea under seat, Starcom Digital, Zumo. Make sure you have the Zumo audio plugged into the AUX location on the Starcom. I am not sure about the radar detector, maybe use a "Y" connector and use the same input? I also ahve the VOX set to the higher setting and feel it works better that way.