Wiring stereo in boat

[thebull123]

I installed a JBL stereo in an '04 Triumph 190 Bay CC. (Roplene boat, not fiberglass) Instructions say to connect the red wire to the ignition, yellow wire to a constant 12v (memory) and the black wire to ground. What should I look for inside the console to connect these 3 wires? There's a lot going on inside there and I don't want to mess something up. Thanks for your help.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

OK, see if I can help. The red wire will go off the ignition switch terminal and be hot only when the key is turned on. Need a test light. Turn the key on and probe each terminal til you find a hot one. That's one that's hot with key on and not hot with key off. The yellow wire will be hot all the time, so it can go right to the positive side of the battery and the black (ground) can go to the negative side of the battery or if you have a ground bar on the fiberglass boat.It's also possible (and you probably do) have a terminal on the back of the ignition switch that's also hot all the time for the yellow wire. That'll work. In case you don't know,,,,The test light is a tool used to find 12 volt power. Has a pointer on one end with an alligator clip on the other. When checking for 12 volt, clip the one end on negative and touch the pointed end on a terminal or some type of power source. Hope this helps as I've wired alot in street rods and custom cars. Still the same as some of the rods were fiberglass.

 

[thebull123]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

Thanks for the input. The boat is not fiberglass (It's Roplene), but that probably makes no difference. My bigger problem is that the battery is in the back of the boat and all the wiring, etc is in the center console. I don't have direct access to the battery. I imagine I could connect the yellow to the accessory (cig lighter) power. As for the red, I'm just a tad timid to mess with the ignition switch without advise. As for a ground, somewhere in the console I would think there would be a wire I could tap into. Just don't know which it would be.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

You only live in Coatsville? I live in Pa. also. OK, to find a ground take your test light (alligator end) and connect it to a hot wire and probe the wires, when it lights up, you have ground. Also your right about the cig lighter, that'll work. If I was there I could do it for ya. Complete installation in about 2 hrs.

 

[thebull123]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

Thanks Bear. yes, Coatesville. Thanks for the tip on finding a ground. Is there any harm in wiring both the memory and unit power to the cig lighter? I'd like to have stereo functionality when the boat is turned off. Also, I handled the physical installation myself yesterday. My first and not a bad job, if I do say so myself. I just have to hook up to power I'm good to go.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

Not really no problem. The only thing is to make sure your radio is turned off when you leave the boat or you'll run the battery dead. Then that way you'll have radio with the key off.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

Bull, let me know how you make out with the stereo. Also how many speakers are you running?

 

[thebull123]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

Only 2 speakers. one on either side of the center console. I'll use the rear speaker connections and tape off the front speaker connections from the head unit. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Wiring stereo in boat

Now don't forget. If you want stereo you'll have to wire them correctly. If not you'll still get sound and it might sound ok. To wire stereo, best bet is to play with the wires once you get it workin, cause I don't know the color from radio and speakers. No big deal though.