Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

[LakeCityTN]

I bought a new stereo that will go on the dash in the cockpit and it came with 6" speakers that I will drill holes for and flush mount in the cockpit.

Question: can I wire the stereo to the 12v breaker panel like the old 1991 dial radio in the cabin is wired and where should I run the memory wire to for keeping the clock and radio presets?

Thanks!!!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

You can wire it to the breaker panel as long as you have an open breaker that will support it. You're only talking about (approx) 3 amps, so power supply isn't a big deal if you piggyback it to another low draw device, such as a courtesy light or 12v power outlet.

As far as your memory preset wiring, it will require a constant 'on' 12v+, usually connected to the yellow wire. You would have to locate a constant 12v+ under the dash or run a new lead from the panel or battery switch.

 

[LakeCityTN]

Re: Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

I'm going to disconnect the power wire for the old stereo from it's breaker switch on the panel and use that switch for the new stereo.

Give me an idea of what would be a constant "on". If I run the memory wire to the battery switch, would I put it on the positive of the "both" setting?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

If you have a dual battery switch the memory wire will need to go directly to the BAT 1 or BAT 2 position on the switch. If you connect to the COM terminal the memory circuit would be turned off when the battery switch is turned OFF.

 

[LakeCityTN]

Re: Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

I don't turn off my battery switch. What is the COM terminal? Obviously I don't know much about boat wiring. Is there a constant hot wire running to the dash that I can run the memory to?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

A dual battery switch has OFF, BAT 1, BOTH, BAT 2 settings. If you have only one battery all of this is moot. I brought it up because IF you have a dual battery switch you need to go directly to the battery with the memory wire. OFF is obviously OFF and should kill everything on the boat (unless the prior owner has mucked with the wiring). The purpose of the OFF position is to allow you to go boating when you arrive at the boat and not have the fear that the batteries are dead because you left something on -- two weeks ago. BAT 1 is typically the START battery. BAT 2 is typically the house or accessory battery. If you are anchore overnight or for several hours and have a stereo, or other electronics operating, you switch to BAT 2 to prevent BAT 1 from going flat. The COM terminal is the OUTPUT side of the switch so wihich ever battery you have selected (even if you have BOTH selected) power comes from the battery, through the switch contacts to the COM (output) terminal. From there it feeds everything on the boat -- again if the boat is wired in standard dual battery switch fashion. So do you or do you not have a dual battery switch? Do you have a simple ON/OFF battery switch. And lastly, do you have one or two batteries.

 

[LakeCityTN]

Re: Stereo Wiring 1991 Carver Montego 525

Thanks for the COM description! I was not aware of that. To answer the important questions, I have two 800cc amp batteries and a dual switch, off - bat 1 - Both - bat 2. I leave it on both all the time being as I never use the radio in the cabin for more than a few minutes while at the dock before I go out. I have a built in charger and plug in the shore power while at the dock when the boat is not in use to be sure the batteries are always charged. Once the new stereo is installed I know to use bat 2 while at anchor for the day to listen to tunes. So my plan is to take the power wire for the old stereo off the "stereo" switch on my 12v breaker panel in the cabin and run the power for the new stereo to this switch and then run the memory wire to the COM terminal. I appreciate your help folks!