Back to the main site

Stereo Question

cwag911 said:
They wire it that way to not have a dead battery from a boat that sits for a long period of time. (I understand that but thought that's what the Perko switch was for? They should of at least wired it to the Perko switch so when the dash power switch is cut your radio retains memory. If your going to long term store then you shut the Perko and deal with the settings later on.  It wouldn't be so bad if they installed an amp that had manual audio equalization, but they don't, all settings must be adjusted through the radio head unit. I could care less about pre-set radio stations, it's the audio settings that take time to do over every time you start the boat)...  I wasn't trying to be a smartass and finding the wires and doing it correctly (OK, at least we agree that it is not being wired correctly and that is why you corrected yours)  much easier than hooking up a battery that isn't meant to be there. (Agreed)  Chill. Our 07' was the same way and I just moved the memory wire. (where did you move it to?? Did you do it per gnc1017 recommendation above??...or did you run a wire direct to the battery??...if so did you wire before or after the Perko switch)

Thanks for the reply!

Dan
Click to expand...
 
Ok now that we have more info, we can better discuss your options. I had no idea that your battery or constant power was on one side of the boat and your head unit is in the other.

1. If you can pull the boat out of the water and remove the aluminum side skirt from the drivers side you can run a wire pretty easy to the 2nd helm. I know this is a "PITA" but it's one solution.

2. The motorcycle battery (fix) is a more costly solution but one that doesn't require you to pull the boat out of the water and can fix your problem in a matter of mins. As much as I start and stop my boat I can understand your frustration. I know it's not ideal but you could simply run the motorcycle battery for 2months and pull it out and recharge it. Or simply throw a on off switch on the motorcycle battery and at the end of each weekend of use and it might last the entire boating season.
 
Here is some more free advice.

When you decide to take your boat out of the water and attack the problem at the end of the season. I would have your installer. Or you may choose to do it yourself. Wire in a complete power distribution panel on the passenger side.

I would install a ground block a power block and a Keyed power block.

That way when or if you add a big system down the line you have all your power on both sides of the boat.

IMO it's just as easy or hard to run 4 wires as it is to run 1.
 
Railmonkey said:
I was going to post a question about this same radio but will tag onto this discussion. My radio won't get one single radio station, not a one. I'm currently using Bluetooth but that a pain because on this same model boat, there is no storage up front to place anything out of the sun. My iPhone overheats up front. They should have either put satellite installed or surely there's a radio antenna out there that works? I'll look this weekend to see if mine is even connected, a coat hanger would do a better job!
Click to expand...
Most often the antenna is bundled and zip tied to the wiring under the helm. I cut mine loose and pull it out from under the helm when there is the need to do so, Usually it picks up fine simply spread out under there.
 
My antenna was also bundled .I also bought a longer one zip tied it up under the helm .It does help some 
 
Could you Connect the memory wire to a 12v solar panel with storage capacity?
 
Ishoot308 said:
cwag911 said:
They wire it that way to not have a dead battery from a boat that sits for a long period of time. (I understand that but thought that's what the Perko switch was for? They should of at least wired it to the Perko switch so when the dash power switch is cut your radio retains memory. If your going to long term store then you shut the Perko and deal with the settings later on.  It wouldn't be so bad if they installed an amp that had manual audio equalization, but they don't, all settings must be adjusted through the radio head unit. I could care less about pre-set radio stations, it's the audio settings that take time to do over every time you start the boat)...  I wasn't trying to be a smartass and finding the wires and doing it correctly (OK, at least we agree that it is not being wired correctly and that is why you corrected yours)  much easier than hooking up a battery that isn't meant to be there. (Agreed)  Chill. Our 07' was the same way and I just moved the memory wire. (where did you move it to?? Did you do it per gnc1017 recommendation above??...or did you run a wire direct to the battery??...if so did you wire before or after the Perko switch)

Thanks for the reply!

Dan
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I moved the wire to a 12v source on one of the switches in my panel. It doesn't matter which one.
 
I think there is some good info on here already, I just thought I would mention that it isn't that Bennington wired it "incorrectly" you need to keep in mind that NOT everyone has a Perko switch, therefore, their master power switch IS exactly that. I have mine directly wired to my stereo batteries and pull a fuse everytime. I don't really care if I lose all my settings, I just don't use them. Heck, most of the time my stereo is still in demo mode! 
 
I only lost time. The preset stations and all other settings stayed. Odd, but true.
 
cwag911 said:
I moved the wire to a 12v source on one of the switches in my panel. It doesn't matter which one.
Click to expand...
I believe cwag911 might have a G series, or one that doesn't have a master power switch on the helm (correct, Carl?). If that is the case, my solution would not be applicable and his per above would probably be correct (also depending on year model?).

Just keep in mind that if you have a master power switch on the helm, moving to another 12v source on another switch will not change it, as they all get their power from a relay triggered by the master power switch.
 
When the batteries are shut down ( which I do ) you have nothing anywhere .
 
Move the wire to the 12v side of your master switch. I have an "R" but older. all my switches have 12v all the time. I have never had a dead battery and only use a battery tender during the cold months. If you have a battery disconnect switch, then you would have to run a wire to the battery which isn't that bad to do.
 
cwag911 said:
Move the wire to the 12v side of your master switch. I have an "R" but older. all my switches have 12v all the time. I have never had a dead battery and only use a battery tender during the cold months. If you have a battery disconnect switch, then you would have to run a wire to the battery which isn't that bad to do.
Click to expand...
I have been considering that .Since I have dual batteries  ,worst case is only 1 dead .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top