Stereo and Battery Upgrade

[cptnblah]

Oh...I also left plenty of wire on the enclosure and speakers to be able to sit the rear ones on the back seat cushions when in the sun platform position and the fronts on the back of opposing front seat in any direction. Works great. Don't have the cash for the ski bar and the speakers for it. Haven't had anyone complain about the sound...but wouldn't be able to hear them anyway! LOL

 

[robbo8199]

I mounted mine in the compartment under the seat. I essentially turned that area into a dry storage and battery compartment. Not sure if you have seats like this or the bench in the back. Mine is directly in front of the battery so it was pretty easy to install there. I'll try to post a picture.

 

[src]

A couple of things. First of all you really need to strap that battery down. If that's your permanent solution, put in a battery box if it will fit, or at least a tray with a lid, and make sure the battery won't move. I have a spare battery that I'm carrying there right now on my 175BR, and in wet conditions I have found water on the top. That is NOT a dry locker.

Second, I can't tell for sure from the picture, but the wire looks awfully thin. You should be using 4 gauge wire at the very least, 2 is better, to connect the batteries. Unless all you are doing is running some separate (dedicated) accessory circuits off of this battery, those wires are a hazard. Even for a stereo, I would say that those are a bit thin.

Fix those issues and you should be OK. I did consider doing the same thing, but decided that I will be turning the factory tray 90 degrees and added a second tray next to it behind the panel. Just need to get the right part.

Anyone know a good source for a round tuit?

 

[robbo8199]

Those are all great points SRC. I should have stated when I posted that picture that was taken before I have completed the project. This was while I was installing the stereo and testing to make sure everything worked (that’s all I happened to have on my phone). I was just trying to show the placement of the battery.

The battery is strapped down and in a tray with a lid. That area is definitely not a dry storage but I have also added a plexiglass cover for that section with a small rubber surround and vents to help keep water out as an extra precaution.

The wires are only for the stereo as this battery is completely separate from the other battery and is a dedicated circuit for the stereo only. I want to say it was a 8 or 10 gauge amp kit I used for the power and ground wires which should be sufficient for such a small little system.

 

[src]

Cool - not trying to bust your chops over it. Sounds like you have it all well in hand. What are you doing about charging? I've got a NOCO Genius charger mounted on the right-side of that same compartment that keeps me topped up.

 

[robbo8199]

No worries. I’m glad you brought that up so if someone sees this post will take the proper precautions.

For charging I have a charger I keep at the house. I got it from Academy but I can’t remember the name of it. We live about an hour from the lake so anytime we go out I have plenty of time to plan. I just remember to charge the battery at the house the day before we go out. Worst case scenario if I forget we have to enjoy the great outdoors without tunes (or more likely just listen to the boat next to us who probably spent $6k on his stereo :grin

 

[src]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Right now I just plug in when I get the boat home, so it's always ready.

Funny thing - once you unplug it it stops charging! Found that out when I was test-firing the engine before a trip. It kept cutting off as soon as I let the key go. Turns out the ignition switch had turned about 45 degrees, so when I was "letting off" of the key, I was actually turning it off. Figured that out after about 15 good cranks.

So, I get to the ramp, put it in, and no crank. I ran the battery down test-starting at the house! VERY glad I had the spare in there that day.

 

[cptnblah]

That's exactly where I mounted my spare. My spare is ONLY for my stereo and amp. It is no wetter an area than where the OEM battery is. I don't have mine anchored either nor do I plan to. My battery is one of those 1000CA and the weight is enough to keep it there. Plus I have a couple small boxes in there of some spare stuff just in case. Robbo...the corner of your boat under that seat looks exactly like mine.

 

[cptnblah]

I forgot to add. I bought two trickle chargers on ebay that stops charging when full charge is achieved. One for the boat and one for the stereo/amp battery. If the later of the two drains...then no music as robbo. However, ran it for five hours the other day and there was plenty left.