CD player install

[mbutler734]

I just bought a CD/Radio deck and 4 speakers for my pontoon boat. This boat has never had a radio and it's been awhile for me since I've hooked one up. I got the speaker part down no problem but the power stuff is diff. Yellow 12V Memory, red 12V plus both go to positive on the battery or red to a switch and yellow to + battery? Both have built in fuses. Where should I ground it, negative battery terminal? power antenna? Should I worry about covering the "antenna connector" spot that I'm not using? Thanks

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: CD player install

The yellow should be connected to an always-on +12vdc terminal if you want the radio to remember its clock, EQ, fader and preset settings. It will always use a small amount of power, so if you don't have a second battery you run the risk of draining the starting battery over time. You can connect it to a switch instead.

The red wire can be connected to a switched +12v supply. It can be connected to the same +12 as the yellow if you want.

The black should be connected to a solid ground, either at the main ground buss or the negative battery terminal.

You can tape over the antenna port if you want.

The power antenna/remote wire and all other unused wires should be taped to prevent them from shorting to anything. The power antenna wire can be used to remotely turn on/off an external amplifier.

 

[battscrew]

Re: CD player install

Would recommend using a switch on the 12+ red, may help in reducing the chance of leaving the radio on. I also did the same for the extra amp I installed.

 

[mbutler734]

Re: CD player install

thanks, any reconmendations on where to hook up the power antenna for good reception

 

[ebsworj]

Re: CD player install

Power antenna? Do you mean you purchased an actual power car antenna that goes up and down when you turn it on and off? Or do you mean a normal antenna?

I'd try to put a normal radio antenna in a convenient place that's as far away from the head unit and VHF and speakers as possible. Not much choice on runabouts but on your pontoon boat you may have more choices. Don't cut the antenna wire.

 

[mbutler734]

Re: CD player install

It's just the name of the wire coming off the back of the deck.

 

[lncoop]

Re: CD player install

It's just the name of the wire coming off the back of the deck.

Yeah, that's only for the type of antenna that raises and lowers automatically. You can just tape that wire. I assume you'll be using an FM antenna. If so, they usually just mount on the front starboard corner of the helm, then the other end plugs into a big hole in the HU. Can't miss it. You probably already know that though.

 

[lncoop]

Re: CD player install

Sorry, just reread your OP and I think the antenna spot you're referring to is the one I called the "big hole in the back of your HU." If so, you can just leave it open if you don't intend to use it. Might as well connect an AM/FM antenna though. They only cost 15-20 bucks and you never know when the good old fashioned radio might come in handy.

 

[mbutler734]

Re: CD player install

So I got it all worked out but it cuts out when the motor is running, especially at high volume, as if it dosent have enough power? Any clue? Also to confirm that blue antenna cord off the harness is pointless? Just plug one into the input hole? Thanks again to all that helped me. It sounds great when the motor is off

 

[scca vette]

Re: CD player install

So I got it all worked out but it cuts out when the motor is running, especially at high volume, as if it dosent have enough power? Any clue? Also to confirm that blue antenna cord off the harness is pointless? Just plug one into the input hole? Thanks again to all that helped me. It sounds great when the motor is off

You do not need the blue wire unless you are running a power antenna (this i dought) or using it to trigger a amp. If you are not doing either just tape it up and out of the way.

Does it sound different when the engine is running with the radio at the same volume or are you having to crank it up to hear it over the motor and it is distorting? If you are having to crank it louder when the engine is running and it is distorting then sounds like you might want to invest in a amp.

 

[mbutler734]

Re: CD player install

yeah radio and cd cut out and it's no difference in volume when the motor is running or off but low volume is hard to hear in either case. Its only 40wX4 with 4, 4" speakers, really think I need an amp?

 

[scca vette]

Re: CD player install

yeah radio and cd cut out and it's no difference in volume when the motor is running or off but low volume is hard to hear in either case. Its only 40wX4 with 4, 4" speakers, really think I need an amp?

Well i guess I am still a little confused. If you turn the radio on with motor not running and it sounds fine then you start the motor and without touching the volume control on the radio is cuts out you have a different problem and a amp will not fix it.

If the radio does not cut out with the motor running until you turn it up loud enough to hear it over the running engine then yes a amp might fix this.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: CD player install

Where did you connect power? You should pull power from an accessory switch and not the ignition switch.

 

[mbutler734]

Re: CD player install

I just connected the power wire to the battery for now because I my switches on the dash need to be re-wired. I hooked it up yesterday and tested it last night, had it at full volume, sounded great, started the motor and it would skip when the bass hit but the lower I turned it down the less it would happen. But even at lowest it would still skip/cut out a little