car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

[Kajun37]

does any use a car stereo instead of a marine stereo? if so how long will it last?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

[colour=blue]Higher end auto stereos are very similar to marine stereos. The circuit boards have a protective coating. Cheap car stereos do not.

Assuming it is a good quality stereo :-
Freshwater use, no splashes - it'll last for years.

Saltwater use, no splashes - maybe a year or two.

Salt air will play havoc with the laser pickup.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

I've had a Kenwood AM/FM/CD in my boat for the last 4 years with no problems. I have one of those covers that closes over it to protect it from rain/spray. Cheaper ones do not stand up as well as the name brands. Found this out by replacing a few over the years...

 

[Kajun37]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

think if i took a car stereo and painted the circuit board and insides with liquid electrical tape it would hold up better?

 

[Gone]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

Just get a name brand marine radio and save yourself some grief. I've used electronic conformal coating on fresh water radios but wouldn't even consider it for salt water. There are too many places that you can't get to that need protection as well as overspray issues jamming mechanicals. It isn't the direct salt spray that is the problem, it's the salty humidity. It gets in everywhere!

CD

 

[springhead]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

my $109.00 jvc cd, fm radio is still working fine after 5 years in two different boats,
manager at boatersworld talked me out of a marine radio
and said go buy one at circuit city.

 

[laurido1992]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

I had a Pioneer car radio and speakers in my '99 Bayliner for 5 years and never had any problems. I bought it as a package for $99 from Wal-Mart and it worked great.

 

[jtexas]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

think if i took a car stereo and painted the circuit board and insides with liquid electrical tape it would hold up better?

Some of the surface mount components would heat up and stop conducting.

Have a spare car stereo lying around, why not use it while it lasts?

say laurido, you got any of that oceanfront property in San Antonio up for sale?

8)

 

[pete963]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

JVC radio in my boat non marine lasting 5 yrs and still going strong

 

[pete963]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

But do put marine speakers in or they will rust beyond belief

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

I have to agree with the marine speakers. The better protected the stereo the longer it will last. Leave it in the box it came in and dont take it out and it will last a lifetime.

 

[FenderBass37]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

Isn't there some sort of difference in the connections between marine stereo and car stereo though?

 

[PondTunes]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

No other than possibly having dust/water caps for the RCA outputs a marine stereo has the exact same wiring harness as a non marine counterpart. The wiring is done the same, 12v constant, 12v switched, ground, and speaker outputs. They also have remote turn on for amplifiers and such, pioneers and a few other brands usually have a dimmer wire but 90% of people don't even hook it up anyways.

Many marine units do have the option for an external wired remote, ie one mounted below decks or at the swim platform. I THINK some sony radios support a wired remote that plugs into the changer port but i'm not a big sony fan.

If you go look at a car stereo you are paying for features, normally the mid to high range have the exact same power output as the base models, the only difference is the features such as reading MP3 cds, USB inputs, and number of pre-outs.

As far as marine stereo's go they will withstand much more humidity and water splash, some even use stainless steel cages and frames. They will warranty a marine cd player that goes bad in a boat where as if they find water in a non-marine unit your warranty is void.

 

[gstanton]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

I've had a ~ $100 Sony from wally world in 1/2 salt and 1/2 fresh for 3 years now. No problems.

 

[jayrodoh]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

We bought a Radio Shack realistic tape deck in 87, I just replaced it after 20 years because I wanted a Pioneer with CD and iPod connectivity. Still works though, tape deck and all.

This was in freshwater though, no experience in salt.

 

[fatalberts]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

Is it possible to buy a car stereo and and Use a wired remote made for boating. Are most stereos compatable with the wired remotes. Or Are marine stereo only set up for the wired remotes? I like the idea of having a remote either back by the swim platform or by the sunpad in back, But not sure if car cd players are set up for it or not.

Please evaluate : )

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

Anytime ive purchase a car stereo they have wireless remotes.. I put one in my older boat and it held up fine even in saltwater.. Now I use my Ipod and input it into an amp then to speakers(originally did it so I wouldnt have to cut the boat). I dont miss having a head unit..

 

[oldfordcrap]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

care stereos are so cheap if it fails throw it out get another one if you dont mind doing this then what the heck .you might evan be suprised how long they last depends on the environment not to take anything away from high end marine gear but if your on a budget why not

 

[Silvertip]

Re: car stereo instead of marine stereo(saltwater)

Oldfordcrap: You just dug up a thread dating back to 2006. I would guess the question was answered long ago.;