Clicking noise when turning on ACC switch

[PDubs]

Went out today and everything was working fine. Anchored in a cove for a while, played some music, and then headed out to get dinner. On the way back, I noticed the speakers were "clicking" or at least it would make that patterned "ticking" noise like when you would play a CD and it had a scratch in it.

Eventually I was able to pinpoint it down to a specific switch. When I turn on the switches for the stereo and speakers but do not play any music, no noise, no ticks/clicks. Once I hit the ACC switch for my stock depth finder, the ticks/clicks start. Turning off the depth finder switch then eliminates the tick/clicking noise.

I haven't added any electronics accessories today and ran everything off one battery. Stereo equipment does include subs, amps, and capacitor. And I don't think it makes a difference, but the ACC switch for the depth finder is in between the stereo and speaker switches. Where should I start the diagnosis?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Clicking noise when turning on ACC switch

It's not the switch, it's the depth finder causing the interference. Running the depth finder and stereo on separate batteries would probably fix the problem. Short of that, make sure the wiring is kept as far apart as possible, and install an interference filter on the stereo line.

 

[PDubs]

Re: Clicking noise when turning on ACC switch

Does that mean the depth finder has randomly now caused this interference? I ask only because nothing has changed with the configuration and it has been working fine for years; only now has this issue surfaced. What is the interference filter? I tried to google this and could only find something what appeared to be for telephone lines.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Clicking noise when turning on ACC switch

I should have said noise filter.

You may have a component (fishfinder, transducer, or stereo) going bad on you since there used to be no problem with the same setup.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Clicking noise when turning on ACC switch

Does that mean the depth finder has randomly now caused this interference?

Sounds as if the transducer is creating and EMP that is being picked up by the stereo. Try disconnecting the transducer and turning the unit on to pinpoint the culprit ...