Need sound system advice

[michealprater]

I am planning on putting a large sound system on my boat. One that draws a lot of juice similiar to car systems. I currently have a cd player pushing 2 6.5 and 2 6x9. I would like to add 4 more speakers with a 4 channel amp and a 2 channel amp pushing a couple of 10s. What do I need to do in the way of power. I figure I will need a 2 battery system switched. I can install the audio, I will need help with the switches. I primarly park at a party spot and play with the boat motor off. Any advice you can offer is appreciated. Especially from people with systems similar to this.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Need sound system advice

Installing a stero in a boat is almost the same as installing a stero in a car. The biggest difference is the boat generally does not conduct electricity, so you can't use it to ground everything. You will need to run a ground wire to everything.<br /><br />If you listen for hours with the motor off you will want a seperate deep-cycle battery for your system. You can look into an isolater to charge the battery when the motor is running. Most boat's have rather weak alternaters, so you probably also want to invest in a smart charger to charge the batteries fully at the end of the day.

 

[michealprater]

Re: Need sound system advice

Where is a good place to buy a switch and an isolator.<br /><br />Do the solar chargers help?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Need sound system advice

Here would be a good start.<br /> Battery switch <br />and Isolator Here. <br />And to help you put it together- Here <br /><br />Now let me have my say. Don't do it. I hate that thumping from cars and I will not tolerate in my lake either. You scare the fishies.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Need sound system advice

Originally posted by Realgun:<br /> Here would be a good start.<br /> Battery switch <br />and Isolator Here. <br />And to help you put it together- Here <br /><br />Now let me have my say. Don't do it. I hate that thumping from cars and I will not tolerate in my lake either. You scare the fishies.

Yeah, like Realgun so eloquently said. There is only one reason for this foolishness. And that is to impose your "pleasure" upon others to their displeasure. Have some consideration for the others on the lake, boaters and lakeside residence. I'm sure it's not a private lake with you and your friends as the only inhabitants.<br />Let me know what lake you plan to noise pollute so I can stay away.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Need sound system advice

You know, I always preach respect for others, but I do have to say that there is a time and place for everything, and I do believe that a killer stereo has it's use. If we are to tollerate speed boats with triple, blown 502's with thru hull exhaust, then I think a stereo passing by can also be tolerated at the right place and right time. Can't we all get along ? Fishermen, please don't anchor and fish in the middle of the channel, if you do, don't get upset if the waterskiers and powerboaters don't stop everything they are doing just because you are there. Waterskiers and powerboaters, stay the he#$ out of the small inlets and close to shore unless you are at idle. If you are anywhere near shore, a marina, private cabins or a small cove please turn the music down.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Need sound system advice

Micheal, sorry, done with my rant. The above advice about a seperate "house" or accessory battery is a must. You didn't say what size or make of boat you have, so it's kind of hard to pinpoint things (big difference between a 34 foot cabin cruiser and a 18 foot bow rider). In general, I would say to forget all about the existing wiring, everything you are talking about cannot be connected to any existing fuse block or accessory wiring. You need to get a direct feed from the battery. The battery itself needs some discussion, at the very least you will need a large deep cycle battery (not a starting battery) and if you need to crank it up for more than a few hours I suggest two large deep cycle batteries wired in parallel. Charging of these batteries depends on what engines/alternators and or battery chargers you have. The power wiring from the batteries to the amps depends in a large part on the length of the cables and the current draw of the amplifiers. First of all you need to make sure that if you have a short circuit that you don't have a fire or explosion....so the wires must be fused at the battery, if your batteries are in the engine compartment of an I/O or inboard that can be a fuse or an explosion proof (ignition protected) circuit breaker, in this case something around 90 or 100 amps (this would be for wiring of #2 or single 0 ). The big trick that I think would make a difference (especially if your wire runs are more than 10 foot) would be to install a couple of large electrolytic capacitors right at the amplifiers. You can either get the fancy car stereo types that have led volt meters built in and are gold colored, or you can save some money by going to an electronics supply house and getting some big ones there without the bells and wistles. The idea is to have large reserve power right at the amplifier power inputs to stop the amplifiers from clipping or distorting on the bass notes (when they will draw massive current for a few milliseconds). If you can post back with what boat and engine combination you have along with what the rated maximum current draw of each amplifier is, that will help to pinpoint things.

 

[michealprater]

Re: Need sound system advice

Waterone1, thanks for the great advice. I have a 25 foot pontoon with a 110 horse outboard. <br /><br /><br />Real gun and David L. Moore, I will be putting this boat on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. There is a cove in this lake down on the Keyesport end named "Party Cove", and for good reason. There are no houses around, and fishermen do not even bother fishing in that cove, it is not a good spot, they do not waste their time. As far as bothering other people, if my stereo bothers them, they will be bothered by the other 50 boats that have systems larger and louder than mine. Unless you frequent Carlyle Lake and seen it do not bother commenting, you do not know the situation.

 

[michealprater]

Re: Need sound system advice

Realgun BTW, thanks for the links, they were very helpful. I appreciate you help even though you do not agree with why.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Need sound system advice

Your welcome and yes I do get up to IL once in a while. We also have a cove(s) on the Butte that people do their thing like you. I usually stay away as I can't hear well anyway. On the forth of July the Lake, Elephant Butte is the third largest city in New Mexico.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Need sound system advice

Mike -<br /><br />There are 2 types of solar panels - Big expensive ones that require regulators and small cheaper ones without a regulator. I have never used any of the big expensive ones but I own a total of 4 of the cheap ones.<br /><br />For the battery your considering the cheap solar panels will not charge it. They will keep it charged when your not using it. What I would suggest is that when you get back to the dock or wherever you can get a/c power, charge the batteries fully with a smart charger. Then remove the smart charger and attach a cheap solar panel.<br /><br />You can thump my lake anytime.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Need sound system advice

Well, since it is a pontoon, you are pretty much able to put the batteries and amps anywhere you want to. If you are able to keep the battery cables short, forget about the capacitors, they're not needed. I agree with the above post, get a good smart charger for your stereo battery(s) and forget about trying to charge them from the engine.

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Need sound system advice

Any suggestions for a location to mount an amp in a boat? I'm familier with amps but not w/ boats.... i just got a 18' bowrider. THe battery is under the seat in the back but i've seen a little water down there. I'm thinking under the port side dash but the ground will be way longer than the recomended > 3 feet. <br /><br />Any suggestions

 

[michealprater]

Re: Need sound system advice

I still really like the idea of the capacitor. All it can do is help to keep the amp from draining the battery so fast. I had not thought of that before. Excellent advice.

 

[chuckz]

Re: Need sound system advice

The capacitor will not keep the battery from discharging, it is there to provide instantaneously current for peak power demand.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Need sound system advice

You want at least a 1 Farad capaciter per amp.<br /><br />I would run a pair of fused 2 gauge wires to a distribution block close to where you plan to mount you amps. This will keep your installation clean and allow for upgrade later.<br />Run both your starting battery and deep cycle party batteries through an isolator that will charge only the bank that needs it when the motor is running.<br />You will still have to put a charge on batteries at home I doubt your outboard has more than a 35 amp alternator.<br /><br />I did my system this way on the advise of a buudy who installs huge systems for a living.I had three amps totaling about 2500 watts peak power on my boat. <br />Good luck!

 

[michealprater]

Re: Need sound system advice

Blue water, please give me more detail on your system. I am interested.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Need sound system advice

Originally posted by michealprater:<br /> Waterone1, thanks for the great advice. I have a 25 foot pontoon with a 110 horse outboard. <br /><br /><br />Real gun and David L. Moore, I will be putting this boat on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. There is a cove in this lake down on the Keyesport end named "Party Cove", and for good reason. There are no houses around, and fishermen do not even bother fishing in that cove, it is not a good spot, they do not waste their time. As far as bothering other people, if my stereo bothers them, they will be bothered by the other 50 boats that have systems larger and louder than mine. Unless you frequent Carlyle Lake and seen it do not bother commenting, you do not know the situation.

Hey, michealprater thanks for your respect and lack of attitude regarding my post. I am sorry and must extend my apologies for "assuming" the intent of your system. I was envisioning the sandbar in the lake I boat on. From the description of your party spot, the only disagreement or irritation would be from a difference in music preference. <br />Again, I apologize for any disrespect. I hope you have a safe and fun time with your floating sound stage.

 

[michealprater]

Re: Need sound system advice

No problem at all. I respect fishermen at all times on the lake. But due to the vast absence of them in the cove, I do not have to worry about it.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Need sound system advice

The recommendation for a Guest battery switch is right on target. A series 2300 switch is good, a series 2400 switch would be best.<br /><br />I don’t like battery isolators. I suggest seeing if it would be worth spending a few bucks more and getting a battery ‘combiner’. Does the same thing as an isolator but is smarter about it. See products like Balmar duo-charge, Blue Sea Systems auto charging relay, Xantrex pathmaker, or even West Marine’s own brand of battery combiners, or make your own.<br /><br />I don’t know what is worse, an inconsiderate boater (an irritation) or a control freak (a danger). So anyone that doesn’t like me bring a country western band out onto the water is welcome to pull anchor and move over to the disco section.<br />