I came across a new head unit (Kenwood KDC-MP342) and Bazooka tube for free today. I installed the head unit no problem but the only place I could find to mount the tube was under the engine hatch next to the gas tank on the passangers side. Does anyone see a problem with mounting this tube here? I doubt it will get wet unless I take on ALOT of water..lol
Audio equipment under engine hatch?
- Thread starter hemi2nv
- Start date
Well... Is it "ignition protected"? Doubt it... "Bazooka" would be an appropriate name...
You can't mount consumer electronics in an engine room on a gas boat... well... you can... but... It would give a whole new meaning to a "blown speaker"....
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mwph
Well-Known Member
- Jul 8, 2008
- 3,229
- Boat Info
- 1998 250 DA
- Engines
- 7.4L, B3
Hemi,
I have no idea how big this tube you speak of is but you have got to have somewhere else to mount it. Hang it from a rear view mirror like fuzzy dice if you have to.
By no means should it be anywhere near...."next to the gas tank on the passangers side".
I have no idea how big this tube you speak of is but you have got to have somewhere else to mount it. Hang it from a rear view mirror like fuzzy dice if you have to.
By no means should it be anywhere near...."next to the gas tank on the passangers side".
370Dancer
Well-Known Member
- Oct 2, 2006
- 2,489
- Boat Info
- 1998 370 Sundancer
- Engines
- 380hp MAG MPI Gen VI with V drives
If the sub is powered, get it out of the engine room immediately. If not, still get it out.
Any room for it suspended under or behind the dash?
Any room for it suspended under or behind the dash?
tdschafer
Well-Known Member
:lol::smt043:lol:
TexasA&M
New Member
You should be able to figure out a way to fit it under the front passenger dash. That is where I have my sub mounted. The 'tube' shape makes it a little awkward, but I bet you can make up some kind of mounts to hold it in place.
black magic
New Member
This is an interesting thread. I too have just gotten my hands on a bazooka tube (8" powered) and I was in the process of mounting in the engine compartment. Granted I wasn't going to mount it next to the fuel cell, but rather on the starboard side as far foward as I could get it. I understand the concern with it being an ignition source, but wouldn't the all of the other electronic components in the engine compartment be considered ignition sources including battery switches, various electronic switches, etc. These may be protected at the time, but all it takes is a worn wire on anything in there to cause a spark. I'm not trying to stir the pot, but rather educate myself and others as to why this would be worse than any other electronic "marine" component?:huh:
Now on to other locations. I haven't tried to cram it under the bow seats, but the tube that I have is about 9" wide and probably close to 18-24" long. I just don't see that fitting anywhere. I have actually thought about the ski locker, but not sure how to access the wiring. I'm almost positive that the tube wouldn't fit under the port "dash". I may just remove the sub and amp from the tube and fab something up myself.
Now on to other locations. I haven't tried to cram it under the bow seats, but the tube that I have is about 9" wide and probably close to 18-24" long. I just don't see that fitting anywhere. I have actually thought about the ski locker, but not sure how to access the wiring. I'm almost positive that the tube wouldn't fit under the port "dash". I may just remove the sub and amp from the tube and fab something up myself.
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Henry Boyd
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2007
- 6,014
- Boat Info
- ‘09 Sabre 38 Hardtop Express “Serenity”
- Engines
- Volvo D6 w/IPS450 Pods
Black Magic,
That is a good point, and the reason why any work (not just electrical) done in the ER of a gas boat needs to be done with care. Ignition protected covers more than just connections, it also covers things like electric motor construction. For example, you won't find an open DC motor that is ignition protected rated because of arcing at the brushes. Keep that in mind by the way next time you think about taking your DeWalt cordless drill into the engine compartment. It also is a good reason why you might also reconsider buying starter motors and alternators for your boat from AutoZone.
Ignition protection is not a perfect solution. The only truly explosion proof solution is to go with diesels.
Henry
That is a good point, and the reason why any work (not just electrical) done in the ER of a gas boat needs to be done with care. Ignition protected covers more than just connections, it also covers things like electric motor construction. For example, you won't find an open DC motor that is ignition protected rated because of arcing at the brushes. Keep that in mind by the way next time you think about taking your DeWalt cordless drill into the engine compartment. It also is a good reason why you might also reconsider buying starter motors and alternators for your boat from AutoZone.
Ignition protection is not a perfect solution. The only truly explosion proof solution is to go with diesels.
Henry
Correct mounting for Bazooka Subs . . .
If you have a Bazooka Sub (Powered or Not) you may want to look at the manufacturers recomendations on mounting. They do not discuss mounting in an engine room but we know that is not a choice. They do discuss proper loading for the Tube itself. The Bazooka is a better choice than nothing at all but to get the benifits of manufactures design it needs to be loaded in a corner so it has some walls to project into and reinforce its design. Without proper loading it is pretty sloppy sound. Manufacture recommends a mounting of projected woofer 2-4 inches from corner.
My thought is if you cant find a proper place to mount you should spend your time, money, efforts on a custom cabinet that can be built yourself. You can now work with your boat and not around your boat. Even a proper powered Infinate Baffle will sound better than an improperly loaded Bazooka Bass Tube.
If you have a Bazooka Sub (Powered or Not) you may want to look at the manufacturers recomendations on mounting. They do not discuss mounting in an engine room but we know that is not a choice. They do discuss proper loading for the Tube itself. The Bazooka is a better choice than nothing at all but to get the benifits of manufactures design it needs to be loaded in a corner so it has some walls to project into and reinforce its design. Without proper loading it is pretty sloppy sound. Manufacture recommends a mounting of projected woofer 2-4 inches from corner.
My thought is if you cant find a proper place to mount you should spend your time, money, efforts on a custom cabinet that can be built yourself. You can now work with your boat and not around your boat. Even a proper powered Infinate Baffle will sound better than an improperly loaded Bazooka Bass Tube.
black magic
New Member
Thanks for the replies.
Henry,
Thanks for shedding some light on things I didn't even think of.. cordless drill, starters, etc. That is something to keep in mind anytime I plan on doing any work in there.
HIFI,
The spot where I currently have the sub sitting is pefect for loading the sub... BUT its in the engine compartment. Plus, it sounds like even if I removed the sub from the tube I won't be happy with the sound. I may just throw it on craiglist and start over with a marine sub and build something myself.
Henry,
Thanks for shedding some light on things I didn't even think of.. cordless drill, starters, etc. That is something to keep in mind anytime I plan on doing any work in there.
HIFI,
The spot where I currently have the sub sitting is pefect for loading the sub... BUT its in the engine compartment. Plus, it sounds like even if I removed the sub from the tube I won't be happy with the sound. I may just throw it on craiglist and start over with a marine sub and build something myself.
black magic
New Member
Keep us posted on your progress and I'll do the same. The whole "sub in a 185" seems to be an issue that a lot of us are having.
Jasonandjess
New Member
I think the subs hanging for the tower on the 185 is the only way to go. That's what I'm gonna go for.
This idea wont work at all.
I am not familiar with your boats but there likely is a great spot for an enclosed 8 inch or 10 inch infinate baffle sub. Maybe someone on this sight can show us what they did.
If there is simply no where to go with a sub system use those monies for some superior six inch seperates and better amplifiers. You can produce good sound in a boat without subs.
