Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

[nutshellml]

I'm redoing my stereo system and wanted to know if I should wire my new AMP (which recommends 4gauge to the battery) wire it direct to the battery postive or to the Battery Switch?

Thanks for any info...

 

[Splat]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

Prolly to the switch, but there's not enough info here to make a informaed decision.

Is the switch just an off on? Or are you using it to select to different batteries? Do you only want the amp to run on one battery or select which battery(if running multiples) it draws from?

Bill

 

[nutshellml]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

Bill, thanks for the quick response.

I have a two battery set-up both marine deep cycles, with a 1-2-both-off switch.

As for your second question, that's a good one, how does one normally set it up. I do plan on running everything off of battery 1 (stereo/starter/alt), so let's say i put it to the battery 1 switch, that will mean that if i am using battery two then i can't use the stereo.. But if that's the case that would mean battery one is dead and would i really want to run it off battery two??? I'm confused now.. haha..

Is there anyone out there that has a two battery setup with a stereo/amp/sub too?? how's it wired...

Thanks!!

 

[itsonlymoney]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

Is there anyone out there that has a two battery setup with a stereo/amp/sub too?? how's it wired...

I have a stereo/amp & sub amp but I use a different battery switch.

http://www.iboats.com/Dual_Battery_...3193499--**********.294795879--view_id.341114

I also have a couple rockers set up on my acc. wire of the amps to shut off the power.

I'd recommend adding a VSR to your charging system.

On my set up my start system is separated from my house system (2 grp.29s.) My house system runs everything except my tilt and starter.

From the battery I ran a fused (60amp) 4ga. wire to a terminal block under the dash. from there I power my two amps, a 2 ferrad cap and and inverter.

 

[flargin]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

Bill, thanks for the quick response.

I have a two battery set-up both marine deep cycles, with a 1-2-both-off switch.

As for your second question, that's a good one, how does one normally set it up. I do plan on running everything off of battery 1 (stereo/starter/alt), so let's say i put it to the battery 1 switch, that will mean that if i am using battery two then i can't use the stereo.. But if that's the case that would mean battery one is dead and would i really want to run it off battery two??? I'm confused now.. haha..

Is there anyone out there that has a two battery setup with a stereo/amp/sub too?? how's it wired...

Thanks!!

Unfortunately there is no "normal". Likely the majority of people with your setup does the following. Wires everything to the "common" lug of the switch.

To operate:
1. Put it on #1 to start the motor.
2. Switch to Both to run down river.
3. Get to the fishing/drinking hole and switch to #2 (Deep cycle)
4. Run the stereo until you drain the battery.
to get home, start with #1 above.

This is what I would suggest, just don't forget step 3, or you will be left floating

There are a lot more complex models, but this is the most common.

You could go straight to the Deep cell, you can leave your switch on #1 and avoid draining your starting battery. but then you have to remember to charge your battery, or switch to both for running and back to one. so you still have the same number of switch change steps.

If you are interested in spending more money, there are other models.

 

[Hanr3]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

What ever you do, put a fuse between teh battery and amp.

 

[nutshellml]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

Thanks for the tips...

So basically I think i'll stick to the basic setup which seems to be:
Run the 12V+ 4 gauge cable from the amp to the COMMON on the Switch, I have a 1 foot cable w/ a 100AMP fuse on it. My amp is a Kicker 700.5 marine and I was told that would work fine.

Then I'll stick to the steps running everything off of say 1 and just keeping 2 for a backup starter/reserve, since both of my batteries are identical..

How's that sound?

Thanks again guys!!!

 

[flargin]

Re: Boat Stereo & Amp wiring (to Battery or Switch)

Thanks for the tips...

So basically I think i'll stick to the basic setup which seems to be:
Run the 12V+ 4 gauge cable from the amp to the COMMON on the Switch, I have a 1 foot cable w/ a 100AMP fuse on it. My amp is a Kicker 700.5 marine and I was told that would work fine.

Then I'll stick to the steps running everything off of say 1 and just keeping 2 for a backup starter/reserve, since both of my batteries are identical..

How's that sound?

Thanks again guys!!!

Should work fine.

With that much power, you may want to consider purchasing a battery isolator to charge the backup battery, regardless of the switch setting. It is very likely you will not have enough juice to start the battery after a few hours of floating with the stereo. With the isolator, you you ensure you have the "backup" battery charged.

There are diagrams for the charging circuit, search the forums.

I think I need one of those amps!