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Airplane Seat Power Ground Loop?

I’ve experienced the following on several flights, 787’s mainly:

I plug my laptop into the seat power outlet.

I plug in my Audioengine D1 dac.

I plug headphones into the dac.

If I am HOLDING (touching) the dac in my hand, it sounds great.

If I do not hold/touch the dac, there is a hum/noise.

The hum disappears if I touch the dac.

The hum disappears if I unplug from seat power.

What is going on and how can I stop this?

My computer battery cannot hold up enough for long-haul flights and it's impractical to hold it all the time.

Thanks.

Thanks!

tomask6
clearthink
1,421 posts
 

It is probably not a ground loop because there can not be more than one path to ground so it is a defective component that is the source and cause of your problems.

tomask6 OP
43 posts
 

clearthink the problem does not occur outside the airplane ie when it’s plugged into a land-based power source.

Also, I used another dac (a THX one) and got the same problem except the problem doesn't go away when I touch it.

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,371 posts
 

I don't know the answer but your first world problem made me smile.  And reminds me of having to hold the TV antenna when I was a kid.

 

macg19
668 posts
 

exactly what I thought

sgreg1
612 posts
 

Have you tried a mophie or other brand portable battery charger to extend the laptop life?

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