Amp ground wire
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
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From: Appleton, WI
Amp ground wire
What size ground wire do you have going to your amp? I have a Rockford 300pbrx4. I am using an 8 gauge ground wire going under the gas tank with the rest of the wiring. The amp sits on top of the radio and is wired directly to the battery. I get ALOT of engine noise. Drives me so crazy that I don't even listen to the radio anymore. The noise is a little less with the radio off but it's still there.
I was told by some audio guys to try a 6 gauge wire.
Thoughts, ideas?
I was told by some audio guys to try a 6 gauge wire.
Thoughts, ideas?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,843
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From: Michigan
The ground wire is usually the same size as the power wire. It should also be as short as possible, but must also not be grounded inside the fairing because of the steering head bearings. 10 gauge wire is big enough for the amp you are running. 8 won't hurt, but 6 is overdoing it.
Make sure all connections are tight. Also make sure that the speaker wires are not wire-tied or too close to the power and ground wires. If that doesn't work, try grounding it to the frame under the tank.
Make sure all connections are tight. Also make sure that the speaker wires are not wire-tied or too close to the power and ground wires. If that doesn't work, try grounding it to the frame under the tank.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
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From: Santa Cruz
I also have my amp, JL xd100/4, wired to the battery with 8 gauge. No problem on mine but, Ya might try grounding the amp to the frame, not the forks, near the steering head. most manufactures/installers recommend a short ground wire to cut down electrical noise.
I'm using a Fosgate PBR300X4 with 8 guage ground, mine is grounded behind the crashbar top mount allen head bolt, no noise at all!!...It's short and grounded to the frame.
Last edited by pswomack; Oct 27, 2012 at 11:42 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: USA
My HW amp is grounded this way as well, no issues.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
As I mentioned earlier, mine is connected directly to the battery. The folks at Hogtunes once told me this was the preferred method because of possible noise issues that can crop up when grounded elsewhere. I'm just relaying info and am not taking a position on this other than to say that my setup works as above.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
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From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
What size ground wire do you have going to your amp? I have a Rockford 300pbrx4. I am using an 8 gauge ground wire going under the gas tank with the rest of the wiring. The amp sits on top of the radio and is wired directly to the battery. I get ALOT of engine noise. Drives me so crazy that I don't even listen to the radio anymore. The noise is a little less with the radio off but it's still there.
I was told by some audio guys to try a 6 gauge wire.
Thoughts, ideas?
I was told by some audio guys to try a 6 gauge wire.
Thoughts, ideas?
You may also want to try a line filter if you can't get rid of it. As advanced as "systems" have become nowadays, a passive line filter will trap and dump any unwanted frequencies making their way in.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 887
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From: Spring, Texas
What source are you listening to music from when you get the engine noise?
Reason I ask is, if you are listening to an ipod or mp3 player and that mp3 player is connected to the charging system, you will get engine noise from it.
I found that it is damn near impossible to eliminate the engine noise so I run my mp3 player not connected to a charger, it runs off its own internal battery. If I need to charge it on the road, I toss it in the tour pack on the charger when I am off the bike.
I have no other engine noise anywhere else, even listening to the radio.
I use 4 gage for the power and ground but I also run 2 amps. So far I have had no issues with noise from the charging system.
If you are getting noice from the amp no matter what source you play from, you can install a Capacitor in between the battery and the amp and that should solve your problem.
Only downside to that is, those capacitors are huge. It is round but probably bigger than the RF amp and you will have to stick in in the tour pack or one of the bags.
Reason I ask is, if you are listening to an ipod or mp3 player and that mp3 player is connected to the charging system, you will get engine noise from it.
I found that it is damn near impossible to eliminate the engine noise so I run my mp3 player not connected to a charger, it runs off its own internal battery. If I need to charge it on the road, I toss it in the tour pack on the charger when I am off the bike.
I have no other engine noise anywhere else, even listening to the radio.
I use 4 gage for the power and ground but I also run 2 amps. So far I have had no issues with noise from the charging system.
If you are getting noice from the amp no matter what source you play from, you can install a Capacitor in between the battery and the amp and that should solve your problem.
Only downside to that is, those capacitors are huge. It is round but probably bigger than the RF amp and you will have to stick in in the tour pack or one of the bags.