replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

[hunter0527]

So I am replacing the factory stereo (cassette player) head unit in my boat (01 rinker 180). I have a kenwood kdc-516s from an old car I had. The wire harness in the boat has black, red, and 2 wires per speaker (2 speakers) for a total of 6 wires. From the kenwood, I took the black and put it to black, red to red, and speakers to speakers in the boat harness. The kenwood didnt turn on. I also then ran a yellow (appears to be 12V Batt/memory) wire to red and it worked. All was well. Turn off key, turn back on and kenwood was completely reset. Is there something I am doing wrong or doesnt the battery supply power when the key is off? There is also an orange wire (positive dimmer) that I also put in the red/yellow and still no luck. The kenwood also has a solid blue and blue/white stripe wires (I think these are for a power antenna?)? You guys have any ideas? Thanks much in advance!!!

I looked up the wiring diag for the kenwood.

red - ignition wire
yellow - battery wire
black - ground wire
blue - motor antenna
blue white stripe - power control
orange white stripe - dimmer control wire

One other thing... there is a red wire that is hanging down in the back not connected to anything on the factory radio. It seems to be a battery wire though. I did put the red to that and leave the yellow in the original red so I wonder if I switch the 2 if that will work?

 

[Turn-n-Burn]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

the yellow needs a constant 12v to keep the memory.......like the bilge pump does if you have an auto float.....

 

[hunter0527]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

i have a feeling that the red in the wire harness was for the switch, which the red should go to. The loose red not in the harness is probably (hopefully) the constant. I think if i put the yellow to the loose red wire it will work (I hope).

 

[howlnmad]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

What Hunter said. Hooking the yellow to the red in the harnass is going to kill power to the memory every time you turn the key off. Hook the yellow to the lose red wire.

 

[JoLin]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

What Hunter said. Hooking the yellow to the red in the harnass is going to kill power to the memory every time you turn the key off. Hook the yellow to the lose red wire.

It can be done either way. I purposely hooked the yellow to the red, and many others do the same. Yes, the stereo has to be reset every time it's powered up, but I don't want the memory function drawing battery power when I'm away from the boat.

My .02

 

[hunter0527]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

how much power is the radio going to draw when Im away from the boat? Should that be something I should be concerned about? It isnt going to be enough to drain the battery is it?

 

[hunter0527]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

Ok, so tried the yellow to red and red to red on harness and it works. GREAT!!! So the other question is, how much of the batter will that drain if its hooked up constantly? Is that going to be an issue? I wouldnt think it would hurt since it is that way in a car, but....?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

If your boat sits without running for a month or more it might be a concern. (disconnect it in the off-season!)

 

[hunter0527]

Re: replacing factory stereo w/ kenwood CD

I guess that brings up another point.... Do you take the battery out of your boat over the winter? I have taken batteries out of motorcycles, four wheelers, jet skis, etc. over the winter. Is that the same thought that should be taken for boats?