Car radios on a boat

[Thresher]

I was going to install a car radio and CD with speakers on my boat but have just discovered that there are special marine versions of the same thing. Has anyone experienced any problems using a bog standard car radio and speakers? maybe with corrosion or magnetic interference with the compass?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Brendan.

 

[LadyInBed]

Nothing wrong with putting a car radio on your boat. Use a meter of wire for the aerial. Just ensure the radio is set to use the same polarity earth as your boat. The speakers will also be OK but only if mounted inside and well away from your steering compass. If you want cockpit speakers, get proper marine waterproof ones.

 

[doug748]

I agree, had one for 10 years with no problems and the cassette still works. When it breaks I will lavish 30 quid on a new one.

 

[paulrossall]

What do you do for an aerial? I did use a short car aerial but it did not work very well. To get best reception is it necessary to mount the aerial at some hight and what sort or aerial would you use?

 

[BrendanS]

My boat came with a radio/cd fitted as standard.

The aerial is simply a length of wire (as NigelB suggested) which is actually routed in the bulhead between helm and cuddy cabin. Works perfectly.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: aerial

A meter of insulated wire hung vertically from the centre of the aerial socket, but not left to wave around.
If your reception is bad, its normally down to earthing problems. Check to see if there is a 'link connector' at the back of the radio that joins 'signal ground' to 'battery ground', if there is, the link should be in as the radio waves need a return path to earth as does the 12v power. Also check to see if 'battery ground' (normally -ve) is connected to the radio casing.

 

[Avocet]

Re: aerial

I've had no problems. The car radio cassette was about 10 years old when I fitted it and still works. I use a cheap car radio aerial from Halfords and reception is OK but could probably be improved by fitting it on a flat, horizontal area with an earthed steel "ground plane" under the area on which it is mounted. (Biscuit tin lids are good for this, I'm told). My speakers are car speakers and they are mounted in the saloon headlining immediately below the "ECS" vents. I wouldn't say they were exposed to the elements but the grille on one of the speakers has started to rust and the speaker itself still works! I think the "marine" ones just have cones that aren't made of cardboard but there may be other differences too. One day I'll replace mine, I suppose...

 

[Guest]

Have fitted many a Car job to boats ..... allied to exterior Mylar speakers ...... lasts well. Average life I have found is about 3-4 years for the radio. Long enough I feel to have earnt its keep.
Yes there are marine jobbies ..... but the price is enough to make me run down the road to Halfords !

Another way out is to buy one of these 'boom-box's' found in Argos etc. - which have 240 / 12 V input and use that ..... That is my latest way of doing it, and only cost me 50 quid with no wiring / speakers etc. to fit !

Oh yes ...... all speakers / radios should be kept a reasonable distance from compass when navigating ...... speakers have strong magnets and the radio itself will exhibit affects as well !! I ran aground because of a VHF extension speaker offsetting my compass by near 100 degrees !!!!!! which I placed on cabin top near the Bulkhead 101 !!!

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by nigel_luther on 01/01/2003 00:51 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[petery]

Re: aerial

Has anyone had any experience with a diplexer?

They are supposed to let you use your Marine VHF aerial for your broadcast radio receiver - splitting the signal just before the aerial cable enters your VHF set.

What happens when you tansmit 25 watts on your VHF set - does it 'blow' your broadcast receiver?

 

[PaulJ]

And while on this theme....

Does anybody know anything about "non-magnetic" speakers? I recently saw some in a catalogue, I think they were of italian origin but the name escapes me for the moment. They were quite expensive so I didn't order them without finding out more about them. Personally, I can't see how they can work without magnets but it is a long time since I learned about these things.......

Happy New Year to all !

 

[Guest]

Re: aerial

Isn't it easier and cheaper to connect to the chainplate ? Or run a length of cable as antennae .... ??

As to splitter ..... they certainly work on TV's, but again you don't have a TV blasting out 25 Watts !!

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[halcyon]

Re: And while on this theme....

Try looking up electro-static speekers, been around for a bit, what about ceramic that they use in watches?

Happy new year all

Brian

 

[colvic]

We've had a radio/cd player for over three years with no problems. A couple of speakers mounted below and a couple of waterproof deck/locker speakers and you can keep the marina awake all night long! However, you'd be surprised at how much power they use if you turn the wick up.

Phil

 

[perlonious]

Re: aerial

im new to sailing and bought a hunter 245 recently.....but i own a motor spares shop.....and cannot see why a radio c/d player is 10 times the price in the marine industry!!!....so i fitted a jvc single slot one and works brill!....2 speakers inside on the front bulkhead then a switch to 2 marine speakers in the cockpit mounted in the transom. with the switch you can have inside...outside...or both on .....i also used the vhf aerial with a splitter and the reception is fantastic....im on the hamble and on a clear day u can even recieve Ldn radio stations......the vhf seems unaffected.....

 

[maris]

Here's a tip I was given for poor radio reception areas. Take a wire from the aerial and hang it over the side into the water. I've only used it while at anchor, I was well impressed.


All the best for 03 to you all.

 

[frilaens]

One difference is that a boat radio has a memory not reliant on a connection to a battery. Most car radios have a permanent 12v wire in addition to the power cable to remember your preset stations and what frequency you switched off on. Not so important if you don't mind scanning each time....

Andy

 

[Metabarca]

I'm in the process of plonking a car radio/CD in my boat now, but I'm a real no-hoper when it comes to electrics. Clearly I can't earth the thing by bolting the associated cable to the hull (I ain't THAT innocent!). Also, there seems to be more than one power cable. WhaddoIdo? Can anyone of superior intelligence help?
Buon anno a tutti!
Or if you prefer, Srecno novo leto!

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: aerial

I have used one of those £6.00 flexible aerials, not earthed to the boat, receiption is great, and fitting was even easier than hanging a length of wire. I mostly use the cd player anyhow....marine speakers came from CPC in Preston, great price and very fast delivery. >> http://www.cpc.co.uk search for marine speakers.

Good Luck



Julian

http://www.ukstaffords.com

 

[chasmoore]

I've looked in the Argos catalogue but can't find any 240V/12V radios or "boom-boxes". They all seem to be 240V/8 size D dry cells. Can you be any more specific?

Regards

Chas

 

[Trevethan]

Chas, I think some jury rigging might be required but 8 x D cells (1.5 volt each) = 12 volt.

You could buy a cigar type connector, a pair of wires and with a dab of solder on the correct contacts convert the thing to run off the boat batteries easily enough.

regards,

Nick

Despite the high cost of living, it still remains popular.