Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

[E_S_A_D]

So I bought an old 1972 Steury Boat. It has an electric start 50 hp Johnson. How difficult is it to install a radio? Does a radio/ cd player just hook to the same battery as the engine and lights are attached to? Or isn't it so simple? Will it drain the battery, etc?

Any help would be appreciated. I'm sorry I've asked so many questions being a Newbie... I plan to be a longtime member of these forums (they're top notch) and plan to help as much as I can too.

Thanks!!!

 

[ndindy]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

Assuming it's a 12v system, it's the same as any car.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

Same as a car, just remember to turn it off when not in use or the clock/memory could drain your battery. you could also wire it to a switch which would cut the power once the switch is flipped. You have to reset the clock etc every time but its not too big of a deal, better than a dead battery.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

BTW, when I got my first personalized plate for my '80 VW Scirocco in Orlando, it was ESAD...few knew what it meant, but those that did?

Even the cops didn't know...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

yep, a stereo will drain your batt.

yes, easy as installing in an auto, but there is no body grd.

what i did was to install a 6 circuit fuse box up at my helm. i had some other items i wanted to put on fused circuits. the fuse box runs all the way to the batt. with maybe 8 or 6 awg wire, i can't remember. larger fat wire though. the fuse box + side is fused at the batt. wired all my stuff including the radio into the fuse box.

to cure the small amount of drain on the batt. by the clock of the radio. i pull the face plate off the radio. i also wired the radio hot so it can be turned on w/o turning on the key... so far, i've not forgot to turn the radio off. if i did, it'd drain the batt. your choice, fused or switched.

as of right now, i'm carrying a jump box on board just in case i run my batt. down to low accidentally. ideally in my case i think, i'd have a second batt. but i've not got that far yet.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

Seabob4, lol... that's terrific.

You guys are awesome here, thanks for the tips.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

I used to work in aerospace. Was walking into work one morning from the parking lot with this nerdy, god-fearing engineer. He asked me, "Bob, what does your license plate mean?" I told him. His face went white! Never forget that...but he had to ask!

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

What does ESAD mean?

Oh wait.. I found it: http://www.esad.org/

Radio is extremely easy. I just installed one in my 87 Thundercraft this past weekend. I wired it to a fused aux switch so I could cut all power to it and not worry about drain.

Hardest part of my install was finding a place for the speakers. I ended up with some 6x9s down low and covered. They are out of the way, and the sound is still very good inside the boat. Outside the boat the sound may be down... but hey.. I don't need to be playing music for everyone on the lake.

I have a few pictures of the install in my thread through my sig.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

Yep, that's us can't hear sh!t...

 

[catfish1979]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

Super easy, more labor intensive than anything. I made a wooden box for mine and covered it with the indoor/outdoor dark gray carpet. Hidden under the steering controls. Not sure on the room you have or if CD's work sideways but it may be your best bet to mount it sideways up under everything. Mine hangs down and I rub my knee on it now and then. It looks very nice under there and is in a sweet spot for when your scooting around.

 

[sasto]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

BTW, when I got my first personalized plate for my '80 VW Scirocco in Orlando, it was ESAD...few knew what it meant, but those that did?

Even the cops didn't know...

What? Eat Shrimp And Dive? A favorite.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

BTW, now it's not even an acronym as much as my own personal humor. I thought it was humorous as an email address about 17 years ago while in highschool. Now, it's easy to type and remember =-) .

So basically, for the boat radio, I just put the positive to the positive and the negative to the negative and I'm done?

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

I'd fuse/toggle it myself... but yup... you're done.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

Mine is wired direct to the battery but I also have dual batteries and always turn the switch off when not in use so no worries about drainage.

 

[DevonS]

Re: Install boat cd player/ radio on old boat?

I didn't bother to fuse/switch mine yet, but I'm about to wire it to a dedicated battery so I don't much care if it drains that one. I put mine where the "glove-box" used to be. Pics in the sig.