cd/radio for boat mounting

smeaks

smeaks

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I am looking to fit a cd radio in my boat. The electrical system is all 12v.

How easy is it to fit a straight forwrd car radio.

Are ther any wiring pitfalls? I would imagine if a battary negative is connected to the earth connection on the radio it should work..... or is that wishfull thinking?

thanks

Steve
 
I've got one, Sony.

Power to console from switched/breakered circuit on switch board, may need permanent memory power supply direct from battery, console earth to swithboard common negative. I have a stub ariel mounted on pushpit but others seems to be ok with length of wire behind lockers/headlining.
 
biggest problem these days is that most car radios demand a permanent power connection to maintain their memory, and this is not compatible with being able to switch off all power useage as a fire preventative measure. personally I willl accept a memory power cable that feeds permanently when we are onboard, and is broken when the main power is switched off, thus needing a re-boot the next time you go sailing.
I have just got a sony CDX-GT200 at a reduced price cause it is discontinued range, but does LW/AM/FM, and has a line in for an ipod connection, plus a remote control. Job for the next wet weekend!
 
My boat has a Philips car stereo with a separate 6 CD changer. Both are fed power from a switched circuit and tolerate being switched off completely without the radio losing its channel memories. Trouble is that it is 8 years old, and I think the latest models do need constant power feed. Particularly on a boat you need to avoid models which are coded, and need the code re-input each time they are disconnected from power. (You are bound to lose the code one day)
 
Have you considered a portable stereo CD player. There are models that can be powered from a car cigar lighter socket (which many boats have) A good one will probably be cheaper than a car stereo, for just as good sound and no installation problems and no requirement for permanent power supply.
 
The radio is mounted next to the chart table and the CD changer on the back of a cupboard door. Neither seem to have suffered any ill effects from boat use.
 
First major issue is the coding - I've overcome this by putting a car alarm remote key battery into the feed, and it's lasted 4 months so far, as it seems the current drawn is very low.
Bigger issue is potential stray current - I placed mine in a plastic enclosure to make sure the body of the radio/cd does not contact anything aboard, apart from my selected earth wire. Aerial wise, I've used a stubby rubber one, with the coax shield attached only to the radio via it's plug - again stray current is the concern.
 
If you fuse the memory supply with the smallest fuse you can find, as close to the take-off as you can, fire risk is minimal.

During the season, Jissel is used at least every 2-3 weeks, so current draw isn't an issue, but if you're concerned, a separate battery supply would do the job.

A set of AA or AAA batteries in a holder from Maplin or similar would be more than adequate, and you'd be hard pushed to start a fire from them. Yes, I've played with PP9s and steel wool, but in the real world, a straight short via the thinnest wire you could find would barely get warm
 
I agree, and as has been said, older models can usually survive without external power and without memory loss for months - maybe a visit to your local breakers yard is in order.

It is worth pointing out that the average car radio is MUCH more sensitive and a generally MUCH better receiver than the average domestic CD-radio.

Also, you may consider not bothering with CD's but using an mp3 player with a mini FM transmitter. They work very well IME.
 
No one seems to have thought about hove much power these units use depending on the output ie how loud they can take upto 10 amps are your batteries up to it?

Coastal sailing probably fine but.................
 
[ QUOTE ]

Also, you may consider not bothering with CD's but using an mp3 player with a mini FM transmitter. They work very well IME.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've tried 2 transmitters and both introduce interference, (or pick up interference?). Which type do you recommend?
 
FM transmitters...

I've been using an iTrip with my Nano, both in the car and the boat. Seems to work well, but in some areas it's difficult to find an "empty" frequency. The sound quality does seem to be very dependent on the volume setting on the Nano.
 
Got so used to the stereo installation on my previous that was soon fed up with a portablecassette/radio in the absence of anything at all on this boat. Shopped around and came up with a Blaupunkt. Not as pricey as you may think and the only one on the market with a 6-CD player exactly the same size as the basic radio/cassette unit (yeah, yeah, got the stack on the Merc . . .).
They fit nicely side by side under the chart table with memory permanently wired to the domestic battery. If you don't do that you'll have to cancel the traffic reports every time you board! Fire risk? Had to ignore it - there are 2 bilge alarms connected anyway.
Only prob is poor reception and IMHO the Sparkie who installed it with a short stubby thingy knew little about aerials. Any suggestions?
 
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