Boat radio AM/FM

[dimock44]

Could someone explain why a car radio can't be used on a boat. In the past I have only been told they won't work. But no one can explain why. Just one of life's unexplained mystery's

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Boat topic and questions, non engine forum

 

[blues]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

THEY CAN BE USED, BUT, DO NOT HAVE THE WATER RESISTANT FEATURES OF A MARINE STEREO- splashing water, moisture will kill a car stereo,.
I think the pioneer car stereos sound better than marine stereos,.so, I have one installed, with a water proof enclosure.in my boat...
works fine,

 

[WaterWitch2]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Car radios work fine on boats. I've had car radios on all my boats. They're just not as water resistant as a marine radio and they're not white. I always use a water proof cover on them (the kind with the hinged plastic lid). I'm installing my old truck radio in my newest boat since I installed an XM ready unit in my truck. I had a car radio that I even switched over to another boat. It lasted 5 years and still works.

 

[dimock44]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Sorry about posting in the wrong section

 

[dimock44]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Thanks guys Good info

 

[slia67]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

In marine applications, the circuit boards are coated. If you boat in fresh water and can avoid water splashing onto the radio, you'll be fine. But if you boat in salt water, you'll want the added protection.

Doug

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Sila67 is right, most marine units feature coated circuit boards while some of them are 100% waterproof. You have to get down and read all the fine print to find out just how marine they are.

I've installed as many non marine units as marine units and occasionally something will happen and the non-marine units get wet. They will short out and become junk. Using a splash-guard will greatly reduce the chance of water getting into the unit and you're likely to get a good long life out of it.

Just keep in mind that water will ruin it. Get one with a remote control and keep the splash-guard closed. If you're not looking for a unit with alot of features you can buy 2-3 cheap wal-mart cd players by the time you purchase one marine grade unit.

Prices do vary from marine to car so be sure to look at the features, most manufacturers that supply a marine version don't offer a entry level ($90.00) cd player, but be sure to shop around as prices vary from retailer to retailer.

 

[John_S]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Another consideration when using an auto-unit in an enclosed watertight case, is thermo shutdown. Many medium to high power heads have heat-sink and small fans on the back, expecting a decent size volume of air to exchange with. They can overheat in the tight confined space. Any modern unit should have auto-protection for this.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Another consideration when using an auto-unit in an enclosed watertight case, is thermo shutdown. Many medium to high power heads have heat-sink and small fans on the back, expecting a decent size volume of air to exchange with. They can overheat in the tight confined space. Any modern unit should have auto-protection for this.

Most splash-guards only protect the face of the radio from water infiltration, the back of the radio should be protected by whatever you mount the unit in. Ie your console or helm, typically moisture & wetness shouldn't be present behind your console. But if you were to build a air/watertight box for the radio it could quite possibly overheat.

 

[moterboat]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

I went with a marine am fm cd radio and put it in the water tight incloser box, I only go in salt water.. also use marine waterproof speakers.

 

[John_S]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

If you use the faceplate only option, I agree, but it is common for people to use ones like pictured below, for which my warning was refering to.

 

[dimock44]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

Thanks to everyone replyed. Lots of good info and tips This is a great site

 

[lncovert]

Re: Boat radio AM/FM

I put a car cd player in a Jensen waterproof case. It's been working great for about a year now on freshwater and saltwater. But...maybe the circuit board will corrode soon, I don't know.