Wiring in a music radio

[Johnny WAFI]

Hello all

I paid a marine electrician to connect a replacement music radio in my Sadler 29. The original radio had a fuse in the fuse board so obviously when I turned off the batteries there could not be any drain of electricity. For some reason the electrician seems to have now bypassed the fuse board because now the radio can be turned on (or left on accidentally) even when the batteries are turned off. Is this an error on his part? My understanding (and I may be wrong) is that the only electrical item that should perhaps work with the batteries turned off is the VHF. All comments welcome.

 

[lustyd]

There should be a permanent wire for the memory but the radio itself should not work when the main power is off.

Eberspacher would also bypass the main switch if you have one, as would bilge pumps.

Edit - also an autopilot ram might bypass the main switch. Not really sure why other than wiring convenience and cable size but it's pretty common.

 

[Plum]

Hello all

I paid a marine electrician to connect a replacement music radio in my Sadler 29. The original radio had a fuse in the fuse board so obviously when I turned off the batteries there could not be any drain of electricity. For some reason the electrician seems to have now bypassed the fuse board because now the radio can be turned on (or left on accidentally) even when the batteries are turned off. Is this an error on his part? My understanding (and I may be wrong) is that the only electrical item that should perhaps work with the batteries turned off is the VHF. All comments welcome.

There is no "right" way. When I turn off my battery isolator EVERYTHING is off. That is my preference as then I know nothing can be left on accidentally and nothing can take power when I am not there. You can get music radios that retain their memories with no power, but most don't. Mine does not so I accept that any presaved stations are lost but its easy to use the "seek" button.

 

[lustyd]

There is no "right" way. When I turn off my battery isolator EVERYTHING is off. You can get music radios that retain their memore with no power, but most don't. Mine does not so I accept that any presaved stations are lost but its easy to use the "seek" button.

There is a wrong way though, and it sounds like OP has that. Whether you connect the memory power wire or not, it's probably unwise for most boats to direct connect the main power to the radio.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Eberspacher would also bypass the main switch …

Sorry for the off-topic question, but why please?

 

[lustyd]

Sorry for the off-topic question, but why please?

Diesel heaters need to go through a shutdown process to cool off so you should never just cut the power to them as it's a fire risk and also can damage the heater. When you switch it off via the controls it'll spend 5-10 minutes with the fan on, so bypassing the switch allows this to happen even if you're turned off the power and left the boat.

I hope it's obvious that direct to battery cables should be fused. The Eberspacher wiring harness includes fuses for this purpose.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Diesel heaters need to go through a shutdown process to cool off so you should never just cut the power to them as it's a fire risk and also can damage the heater.

Thank you.

 

[PCUK]

I would never by-pass the battery switch with a high power item like an Eberspacher. I also want everything off.

 

[lustyd]

I would never by-pass the battery switch with a high power item like an Eberspacher. I also want everything off.

You'd ignore the installation instructions and install it with risk of fire instead? Your insurance company might not like that sort of attitude!

 

[Sandy]

Out of interest what did you fit? I have been umming and aaaaahing for some time. about fitting a 'car radio'.

 

[Boathook]

I fitted a Kenwood 'marine' radio at the beginning of the year. Retains its memory when no supply to it. Like others, when I turn the battery master switch off, all electrical items are disconnected apart from the solar panel and battery to battery charger for the bowthruster battery.
Can't find the radio model number as paperwork is on the boat.
It has DAB, FM and possibly MW along with all the others bits you may require. I really need to spend time trying all the different inputs.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Car radios are so yesterday. A soundbar and the Radioplayer app' gets you pretty much every radio station in the country, as well as Youtube and the like, plus any of your favourite music that you care to store on your phone.

 

[Supertramp]

Car radios are so yesterday. A soundbar and the Radioplayer app' gets you pretty much every radio station in the country, as well as Youtube and the like, plus any of your favourite music that you care to store on your phone.

That's true. But I have a nice set of speakers wired through the boat. What's the best way to connect them via Bluetooth? I had considered using a basic car radio with Bluetooth (already have a car radio wired in).

Thread drift I know - all my electrics (and radio) are off at panel switches except Eberspacher and bilge pump.

 

[dankilb]

You'd ignore the installation instructions and install it with risk of fire instead? Your insurance company might not like that sort of attitude!

How about by-passing a switch/breaker panel (thereby reducing the chance of kids playing with it or someone wanting the heat off and flicking the switch saying ‘heater’) but not the main isolator? Seems unlikely someone would switch off the entire boat while the heater was running. And I’m sure a diesel heater would survive a hot shutdown once or twice.

Agree with OP’s wiring is ‘wrong’ and the electrician should have wired it to the panel.

 

[LittleSister]

I'm very attracted by the idea of a 'music radio'. Where can I get one?

I have radios, but they don't play music, only the dross that passes for pop music these days, or recycled cliches from the 18th century.

 

[Refueler]

There is a wrong way though, and it sounds like OP has that. Whether you connect the memory power wire or not, it's probably unwise for most boats to direct connect the main power to the radio.

Not all digital radios have memory only power mode ... I have a couple that memory is retained based on radio having main power available. So only OFF - is via the radios on / off button.

For ages I stayed with the old pointer dial radio - which once the button was set - power on or off made no odds.

 

[Sandy]

Car radios are so yesterday. A soundbar and the Radioplayer app' gets you pretty much every radio station in the country, as well as Youtube and the like, plus any of your favourite music that you care to store on your phone.

How far offshore does a soundbar work?

 

[Refueler]

I'm very attracted by the idea of a 'music radio'. Where can I get one?

I have radios, but they don't play music, only the dross that passes for pop music these days, or recycled cliches from the 18th century.

Have to agree that most radio music is awful now ...

 

[LittleSister]

Have to agree that most radio music is awful now ...

I love music, and radio would seem an ideal way to find new delights, but I find music on radio almost always unbearable and switch off after a few minutes. The music's usually completely alien to my tastes, and the few programmes I've found that play interesting music are plagued by vast acres of mindless DJ blather.

[Rant Mode/off]
[Thread Drift/off]

 

[lustyd]

How about by-passing a switch/breaker panel (thereby reducing the chance of kids playing with it or someone wanting the heat off and flicking the switch saying ‘heater’) but not the main isolator? Seems unlikely someone would switch off the entire boat while the heater was running. And I’m sure a diesel heater would survive a hot shutdown once or twice.

You can do what you like on your own boat, I was just pointing out how to do it properly and why. I’m not sure what advantage you all think you’re getting from that switch, but I have explained what damage and risk it presents so the rest is your choice.
On my boat if I want to isolate the battery fully I turn it off with the BMS or disconnect it, but it’s very rare I’d need that level of isolation.