Stero Questions

[TarHeel Challenger]

I have been reading a lot of the stero threads lately and everyone who seems to do it, has a background in it. I have hate wiring, but I would like to add two new speakers, and replace the ones in the boat, and add an amp for better quality. Will I need an extra battery for that? I was planning on putting the amp under the cooler, a lot of room, would that be ok? Thanks for the help guys

 

[jimmy2litre]

anytime you add an amp, I would add a battery... you don't want a dead battery on your mind when you are enjoying your music... look for people's pic's of amp location... lots of idea's here...

 

[RFoster130]

I dont know the layout of your boat. I am thinking it is the same as my 98 Speedster. Cooler under the passenger side windscreen? If so, that is where I put my amp. I have pics on the thread here under 98 speedster audio project. The amp works perfect there. As far as a 2nd battery, i didnt have one initially. IF you only use the radio with the boat running, it isnt necessary. I even had times I sat with the boat off for 45 minutes with no problem. Just for the peace of mind though I added a 2nd battery and now I can listen to music all day while anchored.

Also anyone can do this. I am a total amateur. Only experience it doing stuff for myself. Ask any and all questions you want. Myself and others will gladly walk you through it.

 

[daverade]

all you guy's might want to look into battery capacators and amplifier capacitors if your wantin to bump it like that, they take a huge load of youe electrical system...and can in some cases lessens the need for the 2nd battery

 

[TarHeel Challenger]

Rfoster,

Hey the space under the cooler is more than big enough to hold the second battery and amp, and its close to the head unit. I don't have any experience with amps, or adding batteries. Do I run it straight power from battery two to the amp, and then run the all the speakers to the amp, and then the amp to the head unit?

 

[daverade]

yup, thats how she roll's... and the lil blue wire from the head unit to the "rem" (remote) on the amp...or f your wantin to push some sub's run the speakers to the head unit...then run the sub's to the amp...if 1 sub bridge it... one neg and pos on the amp will say bridge..(max power) i know i'm not rfoster, but i hook up competition systems for fun

 

[RFoster130]

Well...It really depends on what you want to do. If your cooler compartment is as small as mine, it wont fit the battery in there. I have a very small amp and it takes up most of the space. You are best to leave the 2nd battery in the engine compartment. I will add some pics of my second battery tomorrow, but here is a pic of the amp.

The battery should be wired to a battery switch that controls which battery you are using. That way it will be charged,. If you just put a battery in and hook the amp to it, it wont charge. The amp can then be hooked to the same battery switch. Then you run the RCA outputs of the radio into the amp and then the speakers connect to the amp. I have a single amp powering the 4 mid range speakers and also the 2 subs.