Audio Systems Find answers to all of your stereo, speaker and other audio technology questions here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help me out here

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 12:29 PM
  #21  
Chucks1911's Avatar
Chucks1911
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 40
From: Sterling, Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by TomboAT65
Should be back a BT tomorrow. Hope it doesn't take too long. Chuck, don't forget the washer and make sure you seal your pods. And don't forget the washers for the mounting bracket.
Started the install yesterday. I had the 2 washers stapled to the additional instruction sheet. It didnt address where they went, so I put them under the 1/4x20 bolts that hold the amp bracket on.

I think the 1-2 hour install listed in the instructions is a bit optimistic.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 01:12 PM
  #22  
TomboAT65's Avatar
TomboAT65
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 74
From: Central Valley, CA
Default

Yep, washers under 1/4x20 bolts. I ran a new ground wire back to the battery, using 10 gauge wire. I also cut the grommets off of the stock speaker harness to plug the holes in the pods. Will have my amp back today and have it kicking tonight.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 01:49 PM
  #23  
Chucks1911's Avatar
Chucks1911
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 40
From: Sterling, Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by TomboAT65
Yep, washers under 1/4x20 bolts. I ran a new ground wire back to the battery, using 10 gauge wire. I also cut the grommets off of the stock speaker harness to plug the holes in the pods. Will have my amp back today and have it kicking tonight.
I did the same thing with the grommets into the speaker pods. I hope to finish it up this evening after work.

I grounded to the same 1/4x20 bolt mentioned earlier, per the instructions. Now I'm questioning if I should run the ground to the battery too.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 01:52 PM
  #24  
hbsoldier3's Avatar
hbsoldier3
Elite HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Default

Originally Posted by Chucks1911
I did the same thing with the grommets into the speaker pods. I hope to finish it up this evening after work.

I grounded to the same 1/4x20 bolt mentioned earlier, per the instructions. Now I'm questioning if I should run the ground to the battery too.
I ask Bill at BT about running the ground to the battery. His opinion is that the radio mount ground is better. Not trying to **** anybody off, but that is what he said.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 01:56 PM
  #25  
haze324's Avatar
haze324
Elite HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
Default

Originally Posted by hbsoldier3
I ask Bill at BT about running the ground to the battery. His opinion is that the radio mount ground is better. Not trying to **** anybody off, but that is what he said.
Yes, but the "WHY" it's better is what's important, did he share with you why he thought this? And, did he say it was better for all amps or just the BT line?

My guess is that's it's a combination of BT amps efficiency and ground wire length.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 01:57 PM
  #26  
Babyboy's Avatar
Babyboy
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 572
From: Lockport Illinois
Default

There is nothing better than grounding to the source(battery) or as close to possible.
The HU is grounded thru the harness with the largest wire being an average of 12 gauge or less. You should have at least the same size ground as the positive.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 02:19 PM
  #27  
TomboAT65's Avatar
TomboAT65
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 74
From: Central Valley, CA
Default

You should be just fine on the bracket bolt. Personal preference really, I did it hoping maybe it would resolve the issues I was having and now I might as well keep it there.

The problem with grounding farther away from the amp, is you add resistance in the power loop. Albeit, it might be minimal considering gauge of wire and the length of wire you are using. So what you would see if you increase the resistance in the power loop, is less operating voltage to the amp. Now on a bike where you are within 3-4 feet it shouldn't be a major factor, less than .5v. But in a car or something else where the distance is greater and you are using say 8 or 6 ga wire, you could be in the range of 1-2v.


One other thing, I picked up some fairly cheap conduit to put around the speaker and power wires, just to clean things up a bit. Will post a completed pick this afternoon.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 02:22 PM
  #28  
hbsoldier3's Avatar
hbsoldier3
Elite HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Default

Originally Posted by haze324
Yes, but the "WHY" it's better is what's important, did he share with you why he thought this? And, did he say it was better for all amps or just the BT line?

My guess is that's it's a combination of BT amps efficiency and ground wire length.
Ya, he said why, but he was speaking in French. I have no idea what he was talking about. Maybe you should call him and then explain it to me.lol
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 02:26 PM
  #29  
TomboAT65's Avatar
TomboAT65
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 74
From: Central Valley, CA
Default

Originally Posted by hbsoldier3
Ya, he said why, but he was speaking in French. I have no idea what he was talking about. Maybe you should call him and then explain it to me.lol

 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 03:10 PM
  #30  
haze324's Avatar
haze324
Elite HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
Default

Originally Posted by TomboAT65
You should be just fine on the bracket bolt. Personal preference really, I did it hoping maybe it would resolve the issues I was having and now I might as well keep it there.

The problem with grounding farther away from the amp, is you add resistance in the power loop. Albeit, it might be minimal considering gauge of wire and the length of wire you are using. So what you would see if you increase the resistance in the power loop, is less operating voltage to the amp. Now on a bike where you are within 3-4 feet it shouldn't be a major factor, less than .5v. But in a car or something else where the distance is greater and you are using say 8 or 6 ga wire, you could be in the range of 1-2v.


One other thing, I picked up some fairly cheap conduit to put around the speaker and power wires, just to clean things up a bit. Will post a completed pick this afternoon.
Great info!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:35 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE