Battery Drain After Audio Install
Battery Drain After Audio Install
I have a 2011 Road King I put a Boss Audio MC470B audio system on. After running it for about a week now I am noticing that it appears to be harder to start like it's trying to pull juice and it's not there, which I am assuming is the battery dying faster.
I hooked it up to a switch under my seat so won't be on all the time. My accessory port appears to be dead, which I will get replaced when I buy the warranty here in the next few weeks and then hook it up to that instead.
According to the manual the amp only draws 10-16 volts as the operational voltage which doesn't sound like that would be more than this bike can handle but I am far from a technician for these.
Didn't have this problem before, so I am wondering if anybody knows if I should upgrade my electrical system for better charging or if this just sounds like my battery was on its last legs before this?
I hooked it up to a switch under my seat so won't be on all the time. My accessory port appears to be dead, which I will get replaced when I buy the warranty here in the next few weeks and then hook it up to that instead.
According to the manual the amp only draws 10-16 volts as the operational voltage which doesn't sound like that would be more than this bike can handle but I am far from a technician for these.
Didn't have this problem before, so I am wondering if anybody knows if I should upgrade my electrical system for better charging or if this just sounds like my battery was on its last legs before this?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,621
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From: Indianapolis IN.
Charging system on your 2011 road king will handle that amp and speakers fine. I'd start with the battery. Also make sure you have it hooked to switched power so it's not on when the bike is turned off.
That's what I thought. I have it on a switch which kills the juice to it which I always make sure is off.
The switch is directly connected to the battery, but if I recall from my high school physics class correctly then it won't draw any load if the switch is turned off. Or am I off my rocker on this?
The switch is directly connected to the battery, but if I recall from my high school physics class correctly then it won't draw any load if the switch is turned off. Or am I off my rocker on this?
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: NoVA
I've noticed sluggish starting since installing my RF amp. I'll probably retire the amp power circuit so that it feeds through a relay. That should effectively kill the feed to the amp when the bike is off.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 142
Likes: 15
From: Seattle
I just ordered this exact speaker and amp setup from Amazon for my 2005 Deluxe. I have very little experience with electrical and am wondering if anyone has advice on exactly how to run this off of a switch? I really don't know where to begin...any input would be greatly appreciated!
My bike already had a switch installed on it which did nothing, so I just wired into that. I am not a big electrician so I couldn't tell you the best way to do this. I would post in the audio forums here, those guys know their stuff. I am more than confident someone there could help you out with it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 277
From: Hawkeye state
It sounds like the remote power is been jumpered off the pos feed at the amp. No reason to switch the main power. Using a switched power to the amps remote turn on is all you need. One terminal for example is use the orange wire in headlamp harness not being used. That is a switched ignition source that will turn the amp off when the ign switch is off. That's an example. Find a switched power and use it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Goldsboro, NC
Well, I have noticed my bike was starting harder, and now that I've been sick this week, it's sat for a week,, to dead to start, stereo works, new lights (Plasma rods work) but it won't crank. I know the "Remote" wire is where the radio turns on the amp, however if it's wired to the battery full time, (Hot and Ground) does that cause a drain? Also, what's the best charger to use, I have a larger rolling charger, with a Lo and HI 12v setting. Figure I'll disconnect the battery and charge if for a few hours on Lo, not sure what amps that is.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Michigan
Well, I have noticed my bike was starting harder, and now that I've been sick this week, it's sat for a week,, to dead to start, stereo works, new lights (Plasma rods work) but it won't crank. I know the "Remote" wire is where the radio turns on the amp, however if it's wired to the battery full time, (Hot and Ground) does that cause a drain? Also, what's the best charger to use, I have a larger rolling charger, with a Lo and HI 12v setting. Figure I'll disconnect the battery and charge if for a few hours on Lo, not sure what amps that is.
If the remote wire is hooked up properly, the amp should not draw any power when the bike is off.
Last edited by TcHunter; Feb 1, 2016 at 03:48 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
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From: SW Florida
I use the Battery Tender Plus when running the HU/Amp doing adjustments when the bikes not running to keep the battery up.