Boat Stero Install help

[mshiff62]

I'm not sure if this is the right place, if it's not please move it, but I bought a stereo package and have a wiring question.
The wires on the back are: 12v constant, 12v switch, ground, and pwr ant/remote. the head unit has a fuse in the back of it also.

1) Do I need to put an inline fuse in with the 12v constant

2) What do I hook the 12v switched into? Can I just wire the 12v constant to the batt. and the ground to the batt. and just make sure to turn the radio off when I'm done? Would I need a relay or anything?

3)What is the blue pwr ant/remote wire for? Just a pwr antenna if you have one? I got a XM kit to put in there and wont even use an antenna anyway.

 

[gm280]

Re: Boat Stero Install help

My personal opinion is to always install a fuse/breaker inline of any connection to a battery. So I'd say yes to a fuse inline for the constant hookup. Secondly the "switched" is there so it only works when you turn on the key (usually a car installation issue). That being said, you can connect it to anything that is hot only when the main power switch is on. That way when you turn off the main power switch everything is turned off (except for the constant). The blue power antenna wire is for a power antenna if you have one. Just ignore it if you don't have such. And you really need to know how much power your setup will draw. If that is a huge amount, then you may want to use a power relay to supply the huge power/current issues. But make sure everything is fused for protection. Hope this helps a little. Oh and one issue, the constant will draw a small amount of current continually and can drain you battery if not charged when it sets...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat Stero Install help

I'm not sure if this is the right place, if it's not please move it, but I bought a stereo package and have a wiring question.

Moved

The wires on the back are: 12v constant, 12v switch, ground, and pwr ant/remote. the head unit has a fuse in the back of it also.

1) Do I need to put an inline fuse in with the 12v constant

I would suggest it. It is only to help retain the memory and time for the radio and it will place a slight drain on your battery.

2) What do I hook the 12v switched into? Can I just wire the 12v constant to the batt. and the ground to the batt. and just make sure to turn the radio off when I'm done? Would I need a relay or anything?

No relay needed and you can wire it to your ignition, or run it's own wire and install a separate power switch which is what I would do..... and I bet your horn wire (also good) is hot all the time.

3)What is the blue pwr ant/remote wire for? Just a pwr antenna if you have one? I got a XM kit to put in there and wont even use an antenna anyway.

Forget the blue wire unless you are going to install a power antenna...... you can just tape that up.

Do you have a main battery switch that you turn off when you leave the boat? Good place to pick up a switched hot

 

[floater212]

Re: Boat Stero Install help

if you're installing an amplifier that's where you would connect the blue wire to, this way when you start the boat, the amp would fire up too. the amp has a power in lug from battery but it won't turn on until the the power from the blue wire turns it on when the key is on, so there is no draw on battery.

 

[mshiff62]

Re: Boat Stero Install help

Thanks for the help guys! So the head unit is going inside my glove box as there was no place for it on the drivers quarters. So really I can wire the 12v constant into the horn and the 12v switched into the ignition, which wire on the ignition switch? Would it hurt to only connect the 12v constant up and not the switched if I remember to turn the stereo off when I leave the boat? I generally use the boat twice a week in the summer and I was going to buy a battery maintainer that mounts in the boat so I don't have to use my stupid trickle charger anymore- junk!