Radio stays on

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Oct 19, 2013 | 07:44 PM

TOUCHNGO

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5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2013

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From: Iowa

Radio stays on

Hoping someone can help me out with this as I am stumped after spending the afternoon on this. Bike is a 2009 FLHTC.

Here's the deal. I installed a Rockford Forgate PBR300X2 amp. Once the amp was installed, the ignition switch will not turn the radio off or the lights for the speedo and tach. The ignition switch DOES kill the power to the amp! If I press the power button on the radio, everything turns off and will not turn back on until the ignition is turned back on.

I verified that the amp is doing this by pulling the power cables from the amp, ignition switch on, radio on. Ignition switch off and everything turns off as it should.

Got this particular amp because it appeared that it is a popular amp for Harleys because of its small size and had not heard of others having trouble with it.

Tried adjusting the power sensitvity adjuster on the amp (HL ADJUST) to both stops and made no difference.
Hooked up the ground for the amp to the ground of the cig lighter. Even with ground for amp disconnected, it still runs, but radio and speedo,tach lights stay on when ignition is turned off.

So I know it has something to do with the amp, just have no idea what, and the only thing that makes all go back to normal is to take power away from the amp, which kinda defeats the purpose of installing it in the first place.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Oct 19, 2013 | 07:52 PM

Buffalolake

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 208

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From: Terlton, Ok

I may have the answer. Some amplifiers have a switch for the remote power wire. In one position it will accept a +12v signal to turn on the amplifier. In the second position, it will PROVIDE a +12v signal to turn on other amps in your system. If you have it in the wrong position it will send +12v to your radio when the ignition is off.

Oct 19, 2013 | 08:00 PM

TOUCHNGO

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2013

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From: Iowa

It does have a remote power switch. I wired that to the positive on the cig lighter. After reading the manual, I believe the remote switch on the amp is there to provide power for another device if needed, instead of acting like a remote power-on for the amp. (it gets signal from the speaker wires for remote power-on; something else I figured out after reading the instructions). Just not like any other amp I have installed in the past.

From your suggestion then, I'm guessing that disconnecting the Remote wire may do the trick. I'll try that tomorrow and let you know.
Thanks!

Oct 19, 2013 | 08:19 PM

Lowcountry Joe

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC

And you need a more robust ground/ Bond to the frame or the neg battery terminal. The cig lighter plug wiring is marginal for the current that can be pulled by that amp. Maybe I misunderstood what you meant, but use the same size conductor in the ground side as you do in the power side...because the same current flows in each.

And yes, the relay in the amp is what is likely the culprit.

Oct 19, 2013 | 08:22 PM

Buffalolake

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 208

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From: Terlton, Ok

I have a Kicker amp on mine. I wired my remote power wire to the cigarette lighter as well. The Kicker has the switch that has two settings: 12+ and DC offset. The 12V+ setting uses the 12v signal from the cigarette lighter to power on the unit. The DC offset setting uses a signal from the speaker outputs to turn on the amp, then sends a +12v signal to your cigarette lighter circuit. If I set mine on DC offset, the radio will not turn off with the ignition.

Oct 19, 2013 | 08:23 PM

TOUCHNGO

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5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2013

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From: Iowa

Using the same gauge wire as power for the ground from the amp. Just tied it in to the neg on the cig lighter.

Oct 19, 2013 | 08:27 PM

TOUCHNGO

Thread Starter

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Joined: Oct 2013

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From: Iowa

No DC offset or 12+ (or similar setting) on this amp, so I'm guessing it is 12+ only. In fact, given that the manual says the remote terminal should be used to power some other device (instead of using it to power on the amp), I can almost guarantee that. Certainly have a few things to try tomorrow.