boat stereo connection

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carl

hello, i am about to install a new cd player in my sailboat. the unit is actually an automotive cd player. there are two positive leads to the unit. one is connected to the battery for memory and clock and the other goes to the pos. ignition switch. question is- since i seldom have the ignition sw on can i just run both positive leads to the battery. thanks
 
Jun 6, 2004
104
Pearson P422 Warwick, RI
That's for a car wiring...

... you don't want to connect to the ignition switch on a boat, otherwise you would have to turn the switch on to listen to the stereo :( What you should do is wire it to a suitable circuit breaker on your dc panel. It will work if you wire it directly to the battery, but the player will always be "live" - which is not a good idea. It should at least be connected on the "downstream" side of your battery switch.
 
Dec 5, 2003
89
Hunter 260 Whitney's Marine, Jacksonville, FL
Right...

One should be hard wired to the battery for station memory, etc. The other shoudl be wired to a swicth on your electrical panel to make sure that nobody leaves the stereo on while you are away from the boat for days at a time.
 
Jun 4, 2004
629
Sailboat - 48N x 89W
Wiring CD players etc

Derek & Darren both have it right: Wire from Battery through fuse or Cct. Breaker (sized per instructions) to Line Side of On-Off Control Switch (new installation). Wire from Line Side of Switch (always “On”) to Active Memory/Clock Positive on device. Wire from Load Side (“switched”) of Switch to “Play” (ignition) Positive on device. Wire Negative from Neg. Dist'n bus to device neg. Gord
 
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