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

Hooking up radio, need help.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 09:51 AM
  #1  
RED_5's Avatar
RED_5
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 31
From: Up-State NY
Default Hooking up radio, need help.

I have a 2011 FLHTP. These came with no radio. I purchased a Rockford PBR300x2 amp, biketronics 7.1 and a sony BT3100 reciever and also the radio install kit.

I'm looking for the best way to hook this system up. I want the radio to come on when I turn the key on, I've seen some systems set up with a switch to turn on to power the radio.

What gauge speaker wire should I use?
The amp says to ground directly to the battery, is that what people are doing?
I'm a little confused on how to do this.
I have RCA cables from the reciever to the amp.
Any info would be great.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 10:19 AM
  #2  
yzergod's Avatar
yzergod
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Default

Originally Posted by RED_5
I want the radio to come on when I turn the key on.
Not really any different than installing a car stereo. I'd tap the orange wire that comes off the main headlight. Euro spec models have a tiny 5 watt light in their headlight that US models don't. There is two wires that separate from the main light's plug. That orange wire will power on your stereo when you turn the key. I'd run the +/- amp power to the battery directly. Speaker wires for what ever the amp calls for. The only addition I'd suggest is some form of handlebar mounted volume controller. HTH.

 

Last edited by yzergod; Apr 22, 2014 at 10:26 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2014 | 10:33 AM
  #3  
BlackPearl#1's Avatar
BlackPearl#1
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 129
From: Black River Falls, WI.
Default

There are a bunch of amp install kits that would work great for you and RF makes one that will work great. Only thing I can add to above is an in line fuze in the hot wire (closer to battery the better) to the amp. Both pos and neg will run under the tank and to the battery. Spend a few minutes and read a few of UN's instalation instruction sheets, a sticky in this forum with great install advise. You will learn alot from all of our mistakes. Hours and hours of reading here for ya. Good choices made so far on equipment, take your time and you will do fine. Lots of good people here to help if ya get in trouble.
Kris
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2014 | 08:05 AM
  #4  
UltraNutZ's Avatar
UltraNutZ
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Default

Originally Posted by RED_5
I have a 2011 FLHTP. These came with no radio. I purchased a Rockford PBR300x2 amp, biketronics 7.1 and a sony BT3100 reciever and also the radio install kit.

I'm looking for the best way to hook this system up. I want the radio to come on when I turn the key on, I've seen some systems set up with a switch to turn on to power the radio.

What gauge speaker wire should I use?
The amp says to ground directly to the battery, is that what people are doing?
I'm a little confused on how to do this.
I have RCA cables from the reciever to the amp.
Any info would be great.
both yzergod and blackpearl#1 have you covered here but I'll add a little more to it.

the radio is going to require 2 power sources. 1 (usually red wire) will be connected to the orange/white wire yzergod pointed out. The other is a yellow wire and this needs to be connected to battery power. this is what maintains your channel and clock memory.
the ground wire (black) needs to be connected to ground. I would find a good solid spot to connect it to, not the black wire on the headlamp harness.

for the amp, simply run 2 10ga wires from the fairing back to the battery box. As blackpearl#1 pointed out, put a fuse holder on the wire connected to the + terminal and put a 25A fuse in it. The other connect directly to the ground terminal.

for inputs to the amp, being that the RCA outputs from that particular radio are 2v, I would not use them. These PBR amps don't play well with 2v RCA outputs. Cut the RCA connector off the amp input harness as illustrated in the PBR instruction sheet. Now connect your front speaker wires on your radio to the amp input that you just cut the RCA connectors off of.

set your gains, you're done.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2014 | 02:02 PM
  #5  
RED_5's Avatar
RED_5
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 31
From: Up-State NY
Default

Thanks for the info.
So don't use the RCA cables?
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2014 | 02:13 PM
  #6  
UltraNutZ's Avatar
UltraNutZ
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Default

Originally Posted by RED_5
Thanks for the info.
So don't use the RCA cables?
that is correct sir. use the speaker wires on the head unit to go into the amp. Save the RCAs you cut off the amp inputs for later use with a 4v or higher output signal.
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2014 | 07:00 AM
  #7  
RED_5's Avatar
RED_5
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 31
From: Up-State NY
Default

So just trying to figure out why not to use the RCA cables. Some tell me to use them others don't. Why are they there if you shouldn't use them? Why are the wires better then the RCA cables?
I'm connecting everthing this weekend and would rather do it once.
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2014 | 07:16 AM
  #8  
UltraNutZ's Avatar
UltraNutZ
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Default

use them. Then disconnect them and use the speaker wire inputs. You'll see/hear for yourself.

These PBR amps like I said do not play very well with the 2v RCA outputs on aftermarket head units or the line level adapters for stock head units.

It takes voltage to drive an amp to it's recommended power ratings. 2v simply does not do it with this amp.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 19, 2014 | 12:14 AM
  #9  
gator9329's Avatar
gator9329
4th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: MA
Default

good stuff thanks guy
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2014 | 10:25 AM
  #10  
RED_5's Avatar
RED_5
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 31
From: Up-State NY
Default

Yes great advice, couldn't have done it without this forum.
System sounds great! Didn't use the RCA's.
Those speakers, amp and head unit work great together.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Coastiejosh
Touring Models
29
Apr 15, 2021 11:29 PM
D RENEGADES
Audio Systems
4
Feb 28, 2014 12:27 PM
DeneFXDWG
Audio Systems
2
Jan 28, 2014 09:19 AM
Fantozi
Audio Systems
2
Apr 26, 2013 02:56 PM
dres22
Touring Models
9
Aug 23, 2010 05:52 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:27 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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