newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

[Gradywhite3535]

I recently bought a boat and I want to install a stereo, i have showed some pictures so you ca see what I currently have o the boat. I have 2 batteries and a battery switch. Curretly I have a fish finder,radio, flood lights,anchor stern and bow light and bilige pump. Can you guys tell me what do i connect the wires too? Is this the fuse panel? and what exactly is this called? what is the othr circle metal piece?

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

can i add wires to the left side? I see some ope spots but i dont know if that would be safe.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

can't tell from the pics, is the circle wired to the neg- on the battery? if you are refering to the left side of the fuse panel, i believe that is the pre fuse side, which would be ok if you use an inline fuse for the radio, btw, those crimp connectors are carp, solder and shrink tube will save trouble later down the road

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

No the circle panel is only connectd to the fuse panel. Can I hook the radio to the the fuse panel

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

it is wired to the bar on the right of the fuse panel is that bar wired to the neg - on the battery? and the left side wired to the pos + side of battery? im asking because i think thats the case but can't see

 

[Bondo]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

it is wired to the bar on the right of the fuse panel is that bar wired to the neg - on the battery? and the left side wired to the pos + side of battery? im asking because i think thats the case but can't see

Ayuh,.... We sure can't see it, at All....

Get a multimeter, or test light, 'n Test 'em to see where they're wired too...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

btw, those crimp connectors are carp, solder and shrink tube will save trouble later down the road

They look fine to me. That is exactly the place where you want crimp connections...where a ring connector is held firmly. Never solder ring connectors. Solder is ok in connections such as when you join 2 wires together and they aren't held firmly in one place.

I would actually change out the fuse block to one that has more positions.
http://bluesea.com/category/81/21/productline/126

Use these with the proper crimp tool and you wil lbe way better off than soldering.
http://www.amazon.com/Ancor-310303-...357926513&sr=8-1&keywords=ancor+ring+terminal

This guy actually has the best prices on marine wire and accessories:
http://genuinedealz.com/
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/ge...2 Circuit Fuse Block with Cover & Ground Bus
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/ge...ATO/ATC 6 Circuit Fuse Block with Clear Cover

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

So I can hook up the stereo to the fuse panel right?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

crimp connectors cause voltage drop, i do not use for anything if i can help it

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

So I can hook up the stereo to the fuse panel right?

yes

 

[bruceb58]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

crimp connectors cause voltage drop, i do not use for anything if i can help it

No they don't. Crimp connectors are used everywhere including your battery cables. Every single connection in an automobile has a crimped connection...and a boat for that matter.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

So I can hook up the stereo to the fuse panel right?

You have no spare fuses on your fuse panel.

You could piggy back on another fuse but keep in mind that fuse is probably rated higher than what you need to have. Alternatively, you could wire in an inline fuse to the power feed that feeds the fuse panel which is the connection on the left of the fuse panel.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

No they don't. Crimp connectors are used everywhere including your battery cables. Every single connection in an automobile has a crimped connection...and a boat for that matter.

yes they do, not going to argue, you use what you like

 

[bruceb58]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

yes they do, not going to argue, you use what you like

LOL. As an electrical engineer who has worked in the automotive industry and other industries, crimped connections are the only ones used on connections like this and they do not have significant voltage drops.

From the factory, your boat has crimped connections going to the ignition switch, starter solenoid, fuel pump and other high current connections. You will have magnitudes more voltage drop in the wire leading to the crimp.

You can do what you want but your info is false.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

LOL. As an electrical engineer who has worked in the automotive industry and other industries, crimped connections are the only ones used on connections like this and they do not have significant voltage drops.

From the factory, your boat has crimped connections going to the ignition switch, starter solenoid, fuel pump and other high current connections. You will have magnitudes more voltage drop in the wire leading to the crimp.

You can do what you want but your info is false.

that's cool, my false info passed my test and got me certified, guess that's all that matters

 

[bruceb58]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

that's cool, my false info passed my test and got me certified, guess that's all that matters

I am curious what test and for what certification that could possibly be!

Next time you pull the factory stereo out of your car. Look at the connectors that plug into the back of it...yes...they are crimped.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

I am curious what test and for what certification that could possibly be!

Next time you pull the factory stereo out of your car. Look at the connectors that plug into the back of it...yes...they are crimped.

ASE certified auto tech, fixed a stereo system in a HHR today, was the engineer for the allegany mountain network for 3 years, have been wiring things for over 30 years, solder all but temporary connections, in cars, transmiter sheds, dj studios, when i troubleshoot electrical problems i make a bee line to those crimp connectors

 

[bruceb58]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

Really? Show me one soldered connection on a car when it comes out of the factory. I worked for GM. Trust me there aren't any.

Hope you aren't actually soldering on customers cars.

I don't have a problem with soldered connections in a non vibration environment. Problem is that when you solder something like a ring connector, solder wicks down the wire and makes it a rigid connection and brittle. Vibration can break that joint. That is why you aren't allowed to have soldered connections in cars. Even in our test vehicles we weren't allowed to do soldered connections and these were just experimental vehicles.

Use crimps and the proper tools. If you have bad crimp joints its because they bought cheap crimps and/or used a pair of pliers or a vice grip to make the crimp instead of the proper tool.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

Really? Show me one soldered connection on a car when it comes out of the factory. I worked for GM. Trust me there aren't any.

Hope you aren't actually soldering on customers cars.

the crimp splice connectors in photo 2 are not on gm cars from the factory, therefore i can't show you any, i work for gm now today, going in tommorow, and if i see any of those in a car its cause some half a jack leg was there first.dont have to solder, make em buy a new harness

 

[NYBo]

Re: newbie takes a shot at installing stereo

Problem is that when you solder something like a ring connector, solder wicks down the wire and makes it a rigid connection and brittle. Vibration can break that joint.

Bruce cites the reason quality crimp connections are standard practice on boats.

To the OP: As stated, get a new fuse block with more fuses to accommodate your stereo and a few additional electric devices.