New Stereo install

[Plasma George]

Hey Guys,
I just bought a 1988 Chaparral, and it's got a old analog style (2 knobs) AM/FM stereo, with 2 speakers.

I bought a JVC DIN shaped AM/FM/CD w/ aux input (for Ipod and Sirius), and other than the mechanical installation differences....are there any electrical differences ? I'm think when I get back there, there will be an obvious RED, BLACK, and speaker wires.

Is there anything special about the Marine application that's different than traditional automotive ?

TIA

 

[flargin]

Re: New Stereo install

nope, install is pretty much the same, power and ground wire.

You will normally have (on the new deck) some form of memory power circuit which maintains all of your memory and presets (constant 12v power), and the traditional main power, which is what powers your stereo, usually attached to an on-off switch. You will have to determine how you want to wire the memory wire.. I would just power both of them to the same switch... you will loose your presets when your turn off the power... otherwise you can wire the memory wire to a direct 12v supply from the boat (likely you will have to run one yourself) this will very slowly drain your battery, even when the master switch is turned off.


notes:
The ground is a wire back to the battery, don't ground to the boat.
if it is not a marine deck, you may want to consider one of the covers.
good opportunity to clip the ends and get good connections... do it with speakers as well.

 

[Plasma George]

Re: New Stereo install

I'm not sure how to wire the memory.

How slow of a drain ? Similar to the drain of a car setup with just the head unit running ? I suppose I shoudn't chance it unless I get a jump start type of thing as a backup. I'm considering adding a subwoofer, Infinity makes a nice setup I put in my 300, turns on through the speaker wires, Power and Ground are the only other connections. Self contained/powered 10" that rumbles nice, but it will/has drawn down my battery.

Not to overly concerned about losing memory. The majority of our listening will be the Ipod or Sirius tuner, so other than tweaking bass and treble (which I have OCD over), it won't be an issue since will be puttinng the head unit into AUX mode.

 

[slia67]

Re: New Stereo install

The memory will just go to a constant 12V+ source, it's usually a yellow or orange wire. Then the red will go to a switchable 12V+ source, or if you prefer you can go to to a constant source as long as you don't forget to turn off the stereo when you leave the boat.

Yes, the drain is just like in an auto.

If you are considering an amp and sub you may want to consider adding a deep cycle battery as a house battery (if you don't already have one) and a battery switch that allows you to switch from "1-both-2" battery. When I wire a boat stereo that has a second battery I always wire the stereo and the amps to the house battery. The reason for a house battery is so that you can switch over to your house battery (battery #2) with the battery switch and listen to your tunes in a cove or beach all day if you like, without the worry of draining your starting battery.

Hope this helps.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: New Stereo install

I love the whole "don't hook up the memory it will drain your battery" opinions. I've never had a car battery die from the memory being hooked up so why would a boat battery? I've gone on two week vacations and come back to a car battery with absolutely no issues. I even used to hardwire my battery directly to constant +12 and left it on for hours because I was a dumb kid I still didn't have dead batteries. Why would a boat battery be any different? I guess if you don't use the boat for six weeks perhaps the battery will be a tad off but you'll also have plenty of other issues if your boat is used that rarely each season. The main problem is its a PITA to run a wire to constant +12 for something silly like a radio memory.

 

[Plasma George]

Re: New Stereo install

Thanks guys....install a success. And a nice upgrade with a bit more power, and the fine digital sound form the Ipod. So onto the speakers.

I think they are 6" in diameter, the cutout 5.25"....not sure what size that makes the speakers, I'll research that....BUT, can I buy a pair from Walmart/Pepboys ?

They should be an improvement over the original marine speakers that are pretty fragile, and weak.....or do I need to get marine speakers ? They;re between the seats on the sides, not really in a splash area or anything.

 

[janpetemar]

Re: New Stereo install

nope, install is pretty much the same, power and ground wire.

You will normally have (on the new deck) some form of memory power circuit which maintains all of your memory and presets (constant 12v power), and the traditional main power, which is what powers your stereo, usually attached to an on-off switch. You will have to determine how you want to wire the memory wire.. I would just power both of them to the same switch... you will loose your presets when your turn off the power... otherwise you can wire the memory wire to a direct 12v supply from the boat (likely you will have to run one yourself) this will very slowly drain your battery, even when the master switch is turned off.


notes:
The ground is a wire back to the battery, don't ground to the boat.
if it is not a marine deck, you may want to consider one of the covers.
good opportunity to clip the ends and get good connections... do it with speakers as well.

I have pink and red power wires for my radio. I can combine these to the same power source? Why the need to ground to the battery and not the boat?

 

[flargin]

Re: New Stereo install

Pink and Red wire - I would assume yes, just confirm with the wiring diagram or instructions that both are supposed to go to the battery... the pink is likely the wire to support the memory, and the red is the main power.

If you ground it to the hull, then it may not actually make it back to the battery, but to the water... that is where corrosion comes from, and ultimately you will start to eat away the metal parts on your boat (hull, outdrive etc)

On boats, you always have a return line to the battery. You can use the same one for just about everything, so if there is already one there, feel free to use it.

 

[janpetemar]

Re: New Stereo install

Pink and Red wire - I would assume yes, just confirm with the wiring diagram or instructions that both are supposed to go to the battery... the pink is likely the wire to support the memory, and the red is the main power.

If you ground it to the hull, then it may not actually make it back to the battery, but to the water... that is where corrosion comes from, and ultimately you will start to eat away the metal parts on your boat (hull, outdrive etc)

On boats, you always have a return line to the battery. You can use the same one for just about everything, so if there is already one there, feel free to use it.

Thanks for the info, especially on the corrosion factor.....

 

[flargin]

Re: New Stereo install

Thanks for the info, especially on the corrosion factor.....

Anytime!