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[MD-Dave]

On the back of the SERG radio there are two places for connections.  One is empty, the longer of the two.  I am assuming that is for extra audio gear that I don't have and therefore I can just not connect to the harness provided by the amp company until I need it.  Assumption correct?

Thanks,
Dave

[mjb765]

Extra connections on radio are for GPS and SAT radio modules.

[hdbrad03]

What are you trying to accomplish?


 
     Brad

[MD-Dave]

Thanks mjb765.   I was just trying to install the new Bazooka amp I bought.  I was curious about the extra connection.  I figured it was for extra gear but I just did not like to leave extra plugs left dangling.  

I hooked it all up and tested it out with the extra plug 'dangling' and the stereo works fine.  I have found something I am concerned about though.  I have not run the power cables under the tank yet as I was just doing the test fit but when I turned off the stereo I noticed that there was static coming from one of my speakers.  I turned the stereo back on and I can't hear it when there is any music playing but as soon as I turn it off there is a good amount of static.  It kind of hisses and crackles.  Could it be a bad amp, or just that I don't have my power connections 100% perfect?  I am a little nervous about buttoning it up now.

[mjb765]

Do you have the amp connections correct? There should be a connection straight to the battery and another one to switch the amp on and off with the radio. Be sure you have a good ground also.

[MD-Dave]

You know having it turn on and off with the stereo would make sense but I just re-read the instructions and it says to run the power straight to the battery.  My ground may be at issue.  I ran it to the battery negative terminal instead of a frame ground.  The instructions are for an EG and it says to ground it at the triple tree ground block.  I did not see one on the RG.  I will look closer though and see if there is somewhere better to ground it.

[Twolanerider]

You know having it turn on and off with the stereo would make sense but I just re-read the instructions and it says to run the power straight to the battery.  My ground may be at issue.  I ran it to the battery negative terminal instead of a frame ground.  The instructions are for an EG and it says to ground it at the triple tree ground block.  I did not see one on the RG.  I will look closer though and see if there is somewhere better to ground it.

A good ground is a good ground.  Location doesn't matter.  It's called "common" for a reason.  That said, if you took it all the way to the negative terminal on the battery it can't get better than that.  They're directing you to that ground point on the neck not because it's better but because it's closer to where you're working.  So unfortunately the ground location isn't the cause of your buzzing.

[MD-Dave]

Well, I re-ran all the cables, in their permanent homes, under the tank.  Still have the buzz.  I also notice there is static at low volume.  I must have a bad amplifier.  I will have to call Bazooka on Monday.  This stinks.  But on the bright side, maybe by the time I get the new amp my new J&M speakers will be here.   

[Twolanerider]

Well, I re-ran all the cables, in their permanent homes, under the tank.  Still have the buzz.  I also notice there is static at low volume.  I must have a bad amplifier.  I will have to call Bazooka on Monday.  This stinks.  But on the bright side, maybe by the time I get the new amp my new J&M speakers will be here.   

Is it for sure a switched amp?

[MD-Dave]

Is it for sure a switched amp?

Pretty sure it is not switched.  It is this one:

http://www.bazooka.com/products/motorcycle/Electronics-C24/Harley-Davidson-S90/MC-HD-AMK---Harley-Davidson-4-Channel-Motorcycle-Amp-Kit-P302

[Twolanerider]

Pretty sure it is not switched.  It is this one:

http://www.bazooka.com/products/motorcycle/Electronics-C24/Harley-Davidson-S90/MC-HD-AMK---Harley-Davidson-4-Channel-Motorcycle-Amp-Kit-P302

Doesn't say there anywhere.  But until they specifically said otherwise I'd have to believe it was switched on by one of the several switched feeds in the radio harness that it grabs as part of its interconnect harness.  If not then your home run power feed from the battery has the thing on all the time.  That would account for your hum with the switch off.  But it would also be very very (very very very) dumb of them to build it that way.

[Highjagger]

What is a switched amp?

[MD-Dave]

Doesn't say there anywhere.  But until they specifically said otherwise I'd have to believe it was switched on by one of the several switched feeds in the radio harness that it grabs as part of its interconnect harness.  If not then your home run power feed from the battery has the thing on all the time.  That would account for your hum with the switch off.  But it would also be very very (very very very) dumb of them to build it that way.

That makes sense.  I am so frazzled by it not working that I am not thinking straight.  You are right.  There should be something in the harness that switches it on and off with the radio.  I was basing my answer of it not being switched on its' behavior, not on common sense.

[MD-Dave]

Ok, update.  The buzz is gone, but the static is still there.  It is definitely still powered on when the radio is powered off.  There is an LED on the amp that I can see staying illuminated even when I turn off the radio.  It goes out when I turn off the bike.  I did watch it for a bit after turning off the radio to see if it was on a cap, and it never went out.  The constant static stays too.  I played with the gain and switched crossover modes from Full to High Pass and it made no difference in the static.  Looks like I will still be calling Bazooka on Monday. 
So, now about that buzzing...     interference noise.  The power cable was getting interference from the ECU.  I had not buttoned up the battery compartment yet.  When I was moving things around in there the tone of the buzz changed.  I kept playing with placement until I found that with everything buttoned up nicely, no buzz.  I did not want to admit this one but I figured it may just happen to someone else and if I can spare them the aggravation, then my embarrassment is worth it.

[Twolanerider]

Ok, update.  The buzz is gone, but the static is still there.  It is definitely still powered on when the radio is powered off.  There is an LED on the amp that I can see staying illuminated even when I turn off the radio.  It goes out when I turn off the bike.  

That wouldn't worry me.  It is being turned on and off (switched) with bike power.  It's "on" whether the radio is or not because it is switched on by a power source that goes on and off with the ignition switch.  No problem and not unusual.  

That you get a bit of static or other noise out of the speakers when the amp is powered but the radio is off also isn't terribly unusual.  Does the static clear up and be replaced by "good" sound when the radio is turned on?  If it is and if the noise when the radio is off is very light you're not hearing anything unusual.  Annoying perhaps.  But not unusual with a lot of amps.  You may be just about all done and good to go.