stereo, vhf speaker wiring

[tbsailrun]

I have a sailboat with the stereo and vhf down in the cabin. I have cockpit speakers and would like to use the same speakers for both vhf and stereo. I also wanted to be able to switch from the cabin to the cockpit so that I don't offend anyone while docked. The perfect solution would be to have two lighted switches, one left and one right, for the stereo to let me know when the cockpit speakers are on and one lighted switch to let me know when the vhf is operating one speaker in the cockpit as well. Can this be done without a lot of extra wiring?

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: stereo, vhf speaker wiring

yes kinda.......what is it you want to do again...lol

you can put in a switch that can turn off one speaker and turn another one on (low volume), you can put in 2 switchs that can change between the stereo and the vhf (one switch in either area so from either point you can change between the stereo/vhf). you can add extra speakers and just turn them on and off at will. any of these ideas will require running extra wiring unless you plan to go with something thats works off a remote.

 

[tbsailrun]

Re: stereo, vhf speaker wiring

yes kinda.......what is it you want to do again...lol

you can put in a switch that can turn off one speaker and turn another one on (low volume), you can put in 2 switchs that can change between the stereo and the vhf (one switch in either area so from either point you can change between the stereo/vhf). you can add extra speakers and just turn them on and off at will. any of these ideas will require running extra wiring unless you plan to go with something thats works off a remote.

Someone sail that I could use a single switch (to have a light on) double throw relay that would turn the speakers off. By the way the stereo is only a Kenwood car stereo with a fader control for front and rear or left and right. Anyone's thoughts?

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: stereo, vhf speaker wiring

What make and model is your VHF radio. Does it have an "audio output" or "external speaker" plug in the back of the radio? The thing I'm concerned about is the actual power the VHF radio is putting out to your speakers and the ohms. You could potentially fry the audio section of your radio. I personally would scratch the idea of using your stereo speakers and buy two external speakers that are meant for mobile radios. Then between just those two speakers you could figure out your switch setup to get what you want.
External CB speakers

And this 3.5mm splitter will allow you to just plug both of the speakers into the one speaker output of your VHF radio.
AUVIO? 3.5" Headphone Splitter (Black) - RadioShack.com