New stereo install

[further]

Just picked up a 96 Chris craft concept 18 and am changing out the head unit. I spliced the new harness and am getting 12v out of the harness when I check with my multi meter on the red and black wires, but plugged in, no power to the head unit. This is a brand new head unit I just purchased. Checked all fuses and they're good. Any ideas?

 

[JerseyBoater]

Re: New stereo install

Doesn't sound great, what make / model is the head unit?

 

[gapple12]

Re: New stereo install

Just picked up a 96 Chris craft concept 18 and am changing out the head unit. I spliced the new harness and am getting 12v out of the harness when I check with my multi meter on the red and black wires, but plugged in, no power to the head unit. This is a brand new head unit I just purchased. Checked all fuses and they're good. Any ideas?

Do you have 12 volts on accessory wire as well for the stereo ? Ive also seen that the 12 volts at the dash isn't enough amps once the key is on. Run a temp wire right to the battery to verify its getting full power.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

I agree with GAPPLE12. It sounds like you forgot about the memory/accessory wire which is the yellow wire. That needs to see 12 volts at ALL times. The red wire(main power) is the only one that should be on a switch(ignition key).

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Yep, thanks guys... Was meaning to post an update yesterday. Figured it out and you're right on the money. The existing wires that I spliced the new harness into had separate red and yellow wires so I just connected like to like; however, once I started troubleshooting I found that the existing yellow had no juice so I just connected it together with red and all is good now in the world of tunes
Probably gonna have to add a separate switch though cause having it wired this way will drain the battery since there really isn't a hard off button on the head unit. Gonna have to figure that one out, but I'm sure others on here have done the same so will search for that.

 

[gapple12]

Re: New stereo install

Yep, thanks guys... Was meaning to post an update yesterday. Figured it out and you're right on the money. The existing wires that I spliced the new harness into had separate red and yellow wires so I just connected like to like; however, once I started troubleshooting I found that the existing yellow had no juice so I just connected it together with red and all is good now in the world of tunes
Probably gonna have to add a separate switch though cause having it wired this way will drain the battery since there really isn't a hard off button on the head unit. Gonna have to figure that one out, but I'm sure others on here have done the same so will search for that.

Grab a 12 volt test light or a meter and check the wires coming from the key switch. one of those wires will show 12 volts when the key is in the on position. This is what you need for accessory. If thats not possible, go to your local radio shack and get a 12 volt switch with a bright LED on it so you can tell when you've left the switch on.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

Yep, thanks guys... Was meaning to post an update yesterday. Figured it out and you're right on the money. The existing wires that I spliced the new harness into had separate red and yellow wires so I just connected like to like; however, once I started troubleshooting I found that the existing yellow had no juice so I just connected it together with red and all is good now in the world of tunes
Probably gonna have to add a separate switch though cause having it wired this way will drain the battery since there really isn't a hard off button on the head unit. Gonna have to figure that one out, but I'm sure others on here have done the same so will search for that.

It is super easy. I did it for mine. The yellow wire gets juice all the time and then just wire in a switch on the red wire. That way your stereo maintains all of it's settings, but you do not drain the **** out of your battery. Let me know if you want a pic. I will be more than happy to post one of my set up.

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Yeah please! Thanks sa, a pic would be awesome!

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

I will get one some time tomorrow(Tuesday) for ya!

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Excellent. Thanks!

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

Excellent. Thanks!

Not a problem at all! I don't work in the winter so tinkering with the boat is a great past time.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

So the red wire coming into the picture from the right is the main power from the battery. The little red wire coming off the switch(blue female disconnect) is the main power going to the radio. The yellow wire is "hot" all the time. I mounted the switch under the dash to the steering cable, I'm 6'2" and need all the leg room I can get on this boat so that was the best place for it.

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Awesome!! thanks again for this - clears it up on how to do it. Can you point me to the correct switch I should get?

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

Sure! What size fuse is in the back of the radio?

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Hmm, I think its a 10 but not 100% sure. I'll check tonight when I'm home from work.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

It most likely is a 10 amp fuse. You just want to make sure that you buy a switch that matches the rating of the stereo and has two "prongs". If you want a lighted switch then the 3rd prong will get wired to the "ground". Here is a link to get you started and thinking about what style of switch you want, for how ever you plan to mount it.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search.oap?keyword=switches+-+universal+-+toggle

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Thanks! The head unit is a Kenwood KMR-550u. That would be a 10 amp, so I just pick any switch with minimum 10 amp rating correct? Sorry for the stupid questions, but I'm pretty lost when it comes to this stuff. I can go with a 20amp switch?

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

No need to apologize for asking questions. I'll be the first to admit that I do not know everything. This is what this forum is for. As for your question...Yes you can do a 20 amp switch. You just don't want to use a switch that is rated lower than what the stereo's fuse is. The fuse is the designed weak link. If you use a switch that is rated lower than that you are now making the switch the weak link, and that is a fire hazard.

 

[further]

Re: New stereo install

Perfect! Thanks for the clarification... Very much appreciated. I'll be looking to you for some help in setting up an additional battery in the boat now LOL. That's the next project once I finish with the switch and hook up the new speakers - just got 4 Infinity 612M's. Although I can't decide if an additional battery is even necessary as I won't be having to many devices running other than the stereo and some LED lights I'll be installing along with the navigational lights (but only at nighttime obviously). What you think? Add a battery or stick with one?

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: New stereo install

Well that would be a topic of MUCH varied opinions around here. It depends on what motor you have and the needs(cranking amps) of the starter and the size(group) of the battery. Depending on that and other variables you could get by with just one battery. I would suggest starting a separate thread for that alone or message me direct.