J&M and Ground/Battery
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From: Columbia Missouri
J&M and Ground/Battery
All,
I had some trouble at the end of the summer with my stereo(HK Head, J&M Rokker 250 amp and Rokker Speakers). J&M replace both the amp and the speakers (Thanks JMJohn), but I am still having problems with the amp cutting out or not working at all. I believe that the problem is either, bad ground or bad battery
First the bike always starts right up and sounds like it is turning the starter fine. When the bike is running the voltmeter show 14-16 volts (I realize this is probably not the most accurate). Everything else on the bike runs fine.
I have removed all the connections from the battery and cleaned them and reconnected. This seemed to help but only for a day( but this has happened before - amp works sometimes not others). I also removed the ground from the amp (connected to one of the frame bolts under the seat behind the battery) and cleaned it.
I can leave the bike on the trickle charger for a week and then test. The stereo may play for a few minutes or may not, but the bike will start fine.
If the amp does not come on I can start the bike and still get no sound or the amp cuts in and out.
Here are my questions.
1. Does this sound like a bad battery? The bike is an '11 and I have had it for 2.5 years and have not replaced the battery
2. When connecting the ground, do I need to grind the paint away on the frame?
3. Can I check the system just using a voltmeter?
4. where does the batteries negative cable connect to the frame? I could not see it, but wanted to check that connection a final point.
Sorry for such a long post, just frustrated with the whole deal.
Robb
I had some trouble at the end of the summer with my stereo(HK Head, J&M Rokker 250 amp and Rokker Speakers). J&M replace both the amp and the speakers (Thanks JMJohn), but I am still having problems with the amp cutting out or not working at all. I believe that the problem is either, bad ground or bad battery
First the bike always starts right up and sounds like it is turning the starter fine. When the bike is running the voltmeter show 14-16 volts (I realize this is probably not the most accurate). Everything else on the bike runs fine.
I have removed all the connections from the battery and cleaned them and reconnected. This seemed to help but only for a day( but this has happened before - amp works sometimes not others). I also removed the ground from the amp (connected to one of the frame bolts under the seat behind the battery) and cleaned it.
I can leave the bike on the trickle charger for a week and then test. The stereo may play for a few minutes or may not, but the bike will start fine.
If the amp does not come on I can start the bike and still get no sound or the amp cuts in and out.
Here are my questions.
1. Does this sound like a bad battery? The bike is an '11 and I have had it for 2.5 years and have not replaced the battery
2. When connecting the ground, do I need to grind the paint away on the frame?
3. Can I check the system just using a voltmeter?
4. where does the batteries negative cable connect to the frame? I could not see it, but wanted to check that connection a final point.
Sorry for such a long post, just frustrated with the whole deal.
Robb
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From: Michigan
No.
Yes.
Yes. Put a voltmeter on the battery charging plug while the engine is running.
It's been awhile. Can't remember off the top of my head. Think it's down by the starter.
If it means anything, even though everything has been replaced, it still sounds like your amp is clipping.
2. When connecting the ground, do I need to grind the paint away on the frame?
3. Can I check the system just using a voltmeter?
4. where does the batteries negative cable connect to the frame? I could not see it, but wanted to check that connection a final point.
If it means anything, even though everything has been replaced, it still sounds like your amp is clipping.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I agree with Pioneer74. Sounds to me like you have another issue that's causing the amp to clip and go into protect mode.
If you're running a stock head unit, that might be your culprit and I would try this prior to doing anything else as you might find you're chasing your tail. Disconnect the speakers from the amp and connect them directly to the head unit and test ride it that way for a bit. If it still gives you problems then at least you know its' either stock wiring or the head unit.
The ground for the battery is attached to the frame just behind the starter.
When grounding to locations other than directly to the battery, it's always best to use a lock washer on the ground screw and scrape down to metal, attach your ground then spray a dab of rustoleum on top of it to prevent rusting.
I would try running a set of wires from the amp directly to the speakers bypassing the J&M wiring harness. Also when looking at the bike from the front, the big harness that is to the left of the vertical fairing bracket, make sure it hasn't rubbed through and causing a short from the head unit to the amp inputs.
If you're running a stock head unit, that might be your culprit and I would try this prior to doing anything else as you might find you're chasing your tail. Disconnect the speakers from the amp and connect them directly to the head unit and test ride it that way for a bit. If it still gives you problems then at least you know its' either stock wiring or the head unit.
The ground for the battery is attached to the frame just behind the starter.
When grounding to locations other than directly to the battery, it's always best to use a lock washer on the ground screw and scrape down to metal, attach your ground then spray a dab of rustoleum on top of it to prevent rusting.
I would try running a set of wires from the amp directly to the speakers bypassing the J&M wiring harness. Also when looking at the bike from the front, the big harness that is to the left of the vertical fairing bracket, make sure it hasn't rubbed through and causing a short from the head unit to the amp inputs.
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From: Columbia Missouri
All,
Thanks for the advise. A little more information. When testing earlier, I can connect the head unit to the speakers directly and all is fine. Here is a link to the original thread https://www.hdforums.com/forum/audio...th-jm-amp.html.
With regard to the ground. I thought from reading other post that it was bad practice to connect the ground directly to the battery? The power leads for the amp (+/-) both go back to the battery, but ground is connected to the frame. Should I move the ground to the battery?
I will check the other items.
Robb
Thanks for the advise. A little more information. When testing earlier, I can connect the head unit to the speakers directly and all is fine. Here is a link to the original thread https://www.hdforums.com/forum/audio...th-jm-amp.html.
With regard to the ground. I thought from reading other post that it was bad practice to connect the ground directly to the battery? The power leads for the amp (+/-) both go back to the battery, but ground is connected to the frame. Should I move the ground to the battery?
I will check the other items.
Robb
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
yes.. that will eliminate the ground as an issue.
I also use blue Loctite on the battery terminal screws when I remove them as they will loosen up over time.
I also use blue Loctite on the battery terminal screws when I remove them as they will loosen up over time.
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Some good suggestions here, but one other thing to consider - you may have an intermittent short in the speaker wires between the amp and the speakers, causing the amp to shut down to protect itself when it sees the short.
First look for any obvious damage - pinched wiring, etc. If nothing, then try a multimeter set to test for resistance (ohms) at the amp side of the lines while disconnected from the amp. It should read either 4 or 2 ohms (approximately) depending on the specs of the speakers. If it tests ok, jiggle the harness from one end to the other while measuring it to see if the reading changes.
If so, you've likely found your culprit. If not, you've at least ruled out another possibility. Good luck!
First look for any obvious damage - pinched wiring, etc. If nothing, then try a multimeter set to test for resistance (ohms) at the amp side of the lines while disconnected from the amp. It should read either 4 or 2 ohms (approximately) depending on the specs of the speakers. If it tests ok, jiggle the harness from one end to the other while measuring it to see if the reading changes.
If so, you've likely found your culprit. If not, you've at least ruled out another possibility. Good luck!
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Columbia Missouri
All,
Just wanted to complete this thread. I found my problem to be as J&M and Ultranutz suggested, a ground issue. Thanks to J&M for standing behind their products and another thanks to Ultranutz for the assistance.
Tried adding a lock washer to the chassis ground and still had trouble so I moved the ground to the Battery and have not had issues since.
Thanks again to everyone for their assistance and suggestions.
Robb
Just wanted to complete this thread. I found my problem to be as J&M and Ultranutz suggested, a ground issue. Thanks to J&M for standing behind their products and another thanks to Ultranutz for the assistance.
Tried adding a lock washer to the chassis ground and still had trouble so I moved the ground to the Battery and have not had issues since.
Thanks again to everyone for their assistance and suggestions.
Robb