Left speaker static only when motor running
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: Charleston, SC
Left speaker static only when motor running
I installed Hog Tunes front speakers and amp about a year ago. Never had a problem until recently. My problem is when the motor is running the left speaker cuts in and out, basically static. It does not do it all the time. I checked the wiring connections on the speaker. I have traced my ground all the way back to the battery everything is clean and tight. If I shut the motor off it sounds fine. Any suggestions?? 
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 257
Likes: 6
From: Auburn, WA
Static might come from poor grounding, you can try running a ground wire from that speaker direct to a frame bolt, or battery negative.
Even changing the length of the wires to that speaker can help. Wire can act as an antenna, and antennas are tuned for specific frequencies, the speaker wire may be picking up RF and interfering with that speaker.
Even changing the length of the wires to that speaker can help. Wire can act as an antenna, and antennas are tuned for specific frequencies, the speaker wire may be picking up RF and interfering with that speaker.
Stage III
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: St Louis
I have a biketronics amp and speaker package all the wires have been modified to custom lengths and soldered. All connections are fine I've been through the forums thoroughly and I'm not the only one having this issue. It's happening with multiple amp and speaker packages. My next step is to run a ground directly to the battery. And it only happens when it's running which makes it more difficult to find the problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
I have a biketronics amp and speaker package all the wires have been modified to custom lengths and soldered. All connections are fine I've been through the forums thoroughly and I'm not the only one having this issue. It's happening with multiple amp and speaker packages. My next step is to run a ground directly to the battery. And it only happens when it's running which makes it more difficult to find the problem.
My best guess if all connections are good would be a grounding problem inside the amp or maybe a cold solder joint in the amp.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Highland Park, Il
Does that amp setup use RCA cables or just wired in to the radio? If RCA cables, try new ones. It's generally not a good idea to ground the amp at the battery due to potential ground loop issues but if you have had it this way all this time and your problem just started, that's probably not the problem.
My best guess if all connections are good would be a grounding problem inside the amp or maybe a cold solder joint in the amp.
My best guess if all connections are good would be a grounding problem inside the amp or maybe a cold solder joint in the amp.
Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Highland Park, Il
I should've added that a cold solder joint is a soldered joint on the board that has some impurity in the solder itself. these amps are mass produced it isn't unreasonable to think that something in the manufacturing process is resulting in a faulty joint at a particular circuit on the board.
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Stage III
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: St Louis
Fix
My RCA cables were good and all my solders were good I sent the radio off to iron cross audio and had RCA preamps put on it and had them give it a once over. The preamp sound way better than the RCA converter's. I'm pretty sure it was the radio and not the converters. Because I actually remember it cutting out before the amp I think the amp just amplified it to where you could hear it end it wasn't noticeable before because it wasn't loud enough
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
you may find over time that soldered wire joints fail on a motorcycle.
the wire strands tend to break from flexing right where the tinning ends near the insulation.
shrink tubing will help, but also hides the damage.
OEM's use crimps on vehicles
for a radio "static" noise problem described above manipulation on the wiring and circuit board(s) can show if there is a connection or bad solder.
or if the noise is interference from the ignition, HID light CB or other radio frequency
Mike
the wire strands tend to break from flexing right where the tinning ends near the insulation.
shrink tubing will help, but also hides the damage.
OEM's use crimps on vehicles
for a radio "static" noise problem described above manipulation on the wiring and circuit board(s) can show if there is a connection or bad solder.
or if the noise is interference from the ignition, HID light CB or other radio frequency
Mike
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
My RCA cables were good and all my solders were good I sent the radio off to iron cross audio and had RCA preamps put on it and had them give it a once over. The preamp sound way better than the RCA converter's. I'm pretty sure it was the radio and not the converters. Because I actually remember it cutting out before the amp I think the amp just amplified it to where you could hear it end it wasn't noticeable before because it wasn't loud enough