2023 PIU Microphone replacement

[Keith10247]

Good evening! I have a 2023 PIU, with the stock head-unit, and the microphone sucks! Any way to replace this microphone with a better quality? I don't know if it is because of the lightbar on the unit and the wind drag, but everyone says they cannot hear me clearly and that there is a lot of background noise. Funny enough, they complain that my mobile radio (which has speakers built-in to the center console) is too loud, but I am not loud enough; even with my head 12" away from the microphone.

 

[peterk9]

Hi Keith. Have you tried using the microphone when the vehicle is stationary to see what kind of reports you get?

Peter

 

[EXZimm]

It's definitely the lightbar noise. I'm in a lucky position that I get to decide when my lightbar is on or off, and I get no complaints when the lightbar is off.

 

[Keith10247]

Hi Keith. Have you tried using the microphone when the vehicle is stationary to see what kind of reports you get?

Peter

Hi Peter,
It is definitely lightbar related. At idle, the audio is crystal clear. When I accelerate, I often hear "I don't know what you just did, but you sound awful now!". It would be nice if I could replace it with a microphone that can go on my A Pillar or near my sun visor. I am not sure what the harness looks like for it. If it is just 2 wire, could I cut it and connect it any other microphone wherever I want?

 

[peterk9]

Hi Peter,
It is definitely lightbar related. At idle, the audio is crystal clear. When I accelerate, I often hear "I don't know what you just did, but you sound awful now!". It would be nice if I could replace it with a microphone that can go on my A Pillar or near my sun visor. I am not sure what the harness looks like for it. If it is just 2 wire, could I cut it and connect it any other microphone wherever I want?

Do you think it is caused by wind noise? I don't know if it's just a 2 wire hookup but that would seem likely.

Peter

 

[Keith10247]

Do you think it is caused by wind noise? I don't know if it's just a 2 wire hookup but that would seem likely.

Peter

So it looks like it is a 2 wire basic as can be microphone based on the pictures for "Ford Navigation Microphone". From the forums, I get mixed feedback on if this will work or not. Theoretically, I should be able to cut and splice in red/black on an aftermarket microphone that routes to a different location. I suspect there is not much insulation between the lightbar and the back of the factory microphone. Looks like I am giving it a shot. Worst case, I splice back the old microphone.

 

[J_C]

It's definitely the lightbar noise. I'm in a lucky position that I get to decide when my lightbar is on or off, and I get no complaints when the lightbar is off.

If I understand correctly, you get noise when accelerating/moving, but only if your light bar is turned on?

If so, since you are in the US, it is almost certain that it is illegal to have the light bar on, on public roads, if it casts any significant light, more so than just accent/trim lighting.

If there is noise only when the light bar is turned on yet still moving, then it would seem to be electrical interference and you probably need an LC filter on the power supply to the light bar.

As far as background noise overwhelming your voice, a "better" (per se) mic won't help, but one specifically designed to be directional might. One simple hack to make a mic more directional is mount a hollow tube in front of it with a foam lining in the tube, or at least the tube itself is very low density material like cardboard. The tube is then aimed at your mouth.

 

[peterk9]

The way I understood it, it has nothing to do with the lights. The is no issue when the vehicle is stationary, only when moving.

Peter

 

[Keith10247]

If I understand correctly, you get noise when accelerating/moving, but only if your light bar is turned on?

If so, since you are in the US, it is almost certain that it is illegal to have the light bar on, on public roads, if it casts any significant light, more so than just accent/trim lighting.

If there is noise only when the light bar is turned on yet still moving, then it would seem to be electrical interference and you probably need an LC filter on the power supply to the light bar.

As far as background noise overwhelming your voice, a "better" (per se) mic won't help, but one specifically designed to be directional might. One simple hack to make a mic more directional is mount a hollow tube in front of it with a foam lining in the tube, or at least the tube itself is very low density material like cardboard. The tube is then aimed at your mouth.

It is from the wind resistance of the lightbar. The lightbar has a 2" gap between it and the roof, so it creates a lot of noise. With the cavity behind the overhead console being right against that area of the roof, my hope is that moving the microphone outside of the cavity, and on to the headliner, would shield the microphone from the wind and move it closer to my head.

As for the lightbar, this is my take home fire department buggy, which was assigned to me by the fire department I volunteer at. The vehicle is fully lettered, has emergency vehicle license plates, and I am fully certified and insured to respond to emergencies with lights and sirens. As the fleet manager, I also get to customize the buggy as I see fit.

 

[J_C]

^ Okay, I did not understand when you wrote "and I get no complaints when the lightbar is off.". I thought you meant turned off, not taken off the vehicle. Otherwise I would have assumed just wind noise.

It does make sense to try moving it before replacing it, but it may still help to have a tube in front, short enough to not stick out in the way.

If there are no electronics on the mic circuit board then Digikey has several unidirectional mic elements to choose from, but I don't know the specs of the original, or 2nd link, something a little more finished looking but again it may or may not be a good mate for sound level, could end up being trial and error to achieve that, unless the Ford mic element has a manufacturer part # on it (mic element manufacturer part #, not motorcraft part #) and you can look up the specs to see what they thought they should be for the circuit.

Audio Products | Microphones | DigiKey Electronics

Microphones are in stock at DigiKey. Order Now! Audio Products ship same day

www.digikey.com

Amazon.com