Amp grounding
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 53
From: WA State
Amp grounding
My new amp (NVX MVPA4) states the ground should be no longer than 30". It's a lot farther to my neg. battery terminal than that.
My DD4 amp didn't have a spec for grounding max. length.
Where else have you guys put your ground to?
I could tap into the ground being used in the other amp.
My DD4 amp didn't have a spec for grounding max. length.
Where else have you guys put your ground to?
I could tap into the ground being used in the other amp.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
It's a fairly general consensus that running the ground back to the battery terminal (or ground post the battery is connected to) is the best practice. Even the BT4180 only comes with a short ground wire, but I believe most (including myself) have it ran back to the battery area.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 21
My new amp (NVX MVPA4) states the ground should be no longer than 30". It's a lot farther to my neg. battery terminal than that.
My DD4 amp didn't have a spec for grounding max. length.
Where else have you guys put your ground to?
I could tap into the ground being used in the other amp.
My DD4 amp didn't have a spec for grounding max. length.
Where else have you guys put your ground to?
I could tap into the ground being used in the other amp.
Not to hijack but when you get that NVX hooked up and jamming world you let me know if it has degraded your FM reception at all? Tailwind, maybe you have some insight here too. That's fellas!
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 95
From: Nashville, TN
I personally had one in my fairing with another amp and again no issues. I've since taken the NVX out to replace with another amp for a completely different setup.
It's a great little amp and sounded awesome with a set of focals
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 21
I've put 3 in a fairing for others and no issue with fm reception.
I personally had one in my fairing with another amp and again no issues. I've since taken the NVX out to replace with another amp for a completely different setup.
It's a great little amp and sounded awesome with a set of focals
I personally had one in my fairing with another amp and again no issues. I've since taken the NVX out to replace with another amp for a completely different setup.
It's a great little amp and sounded awesome with a set of focals
-FW
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 917
Likes: 95
From: Nashville, TN
My new amp (NVX MVPA4) states the ground should be no longer than 30". It's a lot farther to my neg. battery terminal than that.
My DD4 amp didn't have a spec for grounding max. length.
Where else have you guys put your ground to?
I could tap into the ground being used in the other amp.
My DD4 amp didn't have a spec for grounding max. length.
Where else have you guys put your ground to?
I could tap into the ground being used in the other amp.
I've never done that ONLY because I've never had a single issue with grounding to the battery.
The reason most manufacturers recommend 30" or less is to minimize a possible signal noise issue (whine). If your running the amp wireing from the fairing, use a good quality wire, of the proper size, and I'd hook to the battery.
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 276
From: Hawkeye state
The 30" or short as possible is intended for a motor vehicle with a chassis ground. A motorcycle has no real chassis ground, hence to battery or ground on trans case the battery is grounded to.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 424
Likes: 36
From: El Paso, TX
Based on the suggestions by several of the gurus here, this is exactly what I did to wire my BT4180, ran the ground back to the battery. I have not noticed any issues at all.