Wiring for new radio/cd player

[tmh]

Hi. I have a 1985 boat with the original radio I think. I'm installing a new one and am mixed up on somethings - tried to wire it in like the previous one but it did not power on.

1. Red is power, which runs off an accessory switch in my boat so not "always on" which I like so I don;t forget and leave the radio on quietly by accident. Instructions say also hook up a Yellow wire that is to "always on" 12V sourse for radio memory. OK, kind of a hassle as my previous radio had mechanical memory buttons so no "always on" power there. Do I need this if i don't want to save memory items? (some day I'll run one, but rather get it working if I can first.

2. Ground wire - where does this go on a boat? Again, I'm a long ways from the engine block if that is a ground.

3. Completing the loop - I'm no electrical person, but doesn't the power need to come into and out (back to negative terminal on battery)? I didn't see this in the instructions.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring for new radio/cd player

The yellow wire (station memory) and the red wire can be connected together. The black wire needs to go to ground as you said and that can be in either of two places. The most distant of course is the negative terminal of the battery. I will assume the boat has a fuse panel so there should be a ground connection either on that panel or any of the other black wires under the console will work. If the boat has any gauges, each one also has a ground wire on it. You can also connect to any one of those.

 

[tmh]

Re: Wiring for new radio/cd player

OK, thanks. So if there is a nearby courtesy light running off the same red wire, then the other wire from that light should be negative/ground, correct?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring for new radio/cd player

Yes.

 

[tmh]

Re: Wiring for new radio/cd player

OK, getting back to my radio.....I have it all wired up as suggested - works fine, thanks! Here's my question though; right now it's running of a circuit with an on/off switch ("accessories"). The radio is the only thing on this circuit now. So, both the red (power) and yellow (memory power) go to the same lead. Now, if I keep the accessory switch on when I leave the boat, turn the radio off I assume it's only drawing power for memory/clock. Anyone have an idea how big a drain this is on my battery? it's a one-battery boat so it's a marine starting battery.

I guess no matter how I attach the wires, to have memory I need the yellow going to constant power, so unless i forget andleave the radio turned on i don't see that it matters that rad and yellow have the same feed, correct?

Thanks again.

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Wiring for new radio/cd player

correct...your clock and memory work off of the yellow wire If you are going to use an onboard charger the leave the yellow wire hooked up. If not, disconnect it and tape it off. You will have to re-program your radios automatic functions everytime you power up though...

On my boat my house circuit (everything except the engine) is wired separately so I kill all my power at the switch when I put the boat away anyhow.

Now, getting to your amp and speakers........

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Wiring for new radio/cd player

You will probably find that your radio will not function without the yellow wire connected as well.. Strip back the yellow and red wires twist them together and hook them to 12v switched. You radio won't retain memory by doing this but it will power up. I suggest you hook the yellow wire up to 12v constant as the drain on your battery is very very very minimal and would take a very long time.