Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

[maximus19]

Hi there this is my problem: I removed the old tape deck out of my 1996 Bayliner w/ 120HP Mercury Force Outboard and am having a problem finding a place to hookup the acc of the deck so it turns on and off with the boat key. The only place to hook this up is off the switch to a wire that goes back to the engine which I assume fires the engine up. Would there be any problem coming off of this wire or is there a better approach to this?

 

[slia67]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

How was the old one hooked up? It should have be hooked up to an ignition controlled circuit.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

Does this boat have any gauges? They come alive when the key is on. How about that. The ignition switch has an "A" (accessory) terminal which is what activates the gauges. That's what this terminal is for -- but it does have limited current capability so no "killer" (high power) connections should be made there.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

Damn, I thought he was talking about toilets...wondered what that was doing in the electrical section...

 

[Audio Greg]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

Seabob, that is funny as hell... lol!

Maximus, does your key switch have an accessory position?
If not, do you really want it to only operate in the run position?
A dedicated on/off switch is really your best choice here for a bunch of reasons, but mostly so that you can listen to the stereo without extra draw for other electronics (like gauges if you are not underway). Obviously, this could be a cosmetic issue. But I firmly believe it is the most practical solution.

At any rate, current draw should be pretty low for the accessory wire (red, 1 amp fuse?).

 

[maximus19]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

Hey guys thanks for the replies. The old deck did not come on with the switch and this was a problem in the past, this is a multi family boat and people tend to not turn the stereo off so this is why I need it to turn on and off with the switch. I'm not sure about an accessory coming off of the switch just the one going back to the engine but the gauges to come on with the key so there must be right??

 

[NYBo]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

Frankly, I would think twice about this plan. If you plan on listening to music at anchor or the dock, you'll need to energize all those circuits to do so unless there is an accessory-only position on the ignition switch (mine doesn't have one). Not so hot for the battery, but possibly even worse for the ignition system of the outboard.

I would just install a main battery switch if running down the battery is your major concern.

 

[battscrew]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

hmm got me thinking, I have the accessory line on constant power, maybe I will put a switch on it?

Is there such a thing as a 12v timer?

 

[maximus19]

Re: Installing Head Unit in Bayliner

ya I don't think there is an accessory only output on the switch. If I did install a separate switch off the battery I could still run into the same problems where someone would leave the switch on. Hmmm not to sure what to do??