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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Wiring CD/Stereo		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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frejoh
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USA
116 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/16/2009 :  17:12:16  Show Profile
OK, we're gonna get this CD/radio installed. We got a Dual model MXD50 from West, says it's a marine receiver. Instructions aren't very detailed, but from them and earlier posts on this here are the steps I plan:

1. Disconnect positive home run wire from battery for safety.
2. Connect yeloow wire for memory circuit power to positive terminal.
3.Connect black wire to chassis ground. (Isthat on the back of the switch panel?)
4. Connect red wire to hot side of accessory switch.
5. Connect speaker wires.
6. Re-connect home run wire to battery.

Questions: a) What am I missing? b) Is a #10 homerun wire from the factory enough, or should I replace with #8 or #6? And should I put a fuse in that home run? If so, how large? c) What else am I missing?
Fred Johnson
250 WK #669
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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts
Response Posted - 06/17/2009 :  07:57:12  Show Profile
Fred,
We need a little more information to answer your questions.
How long is the home run lead?
Do you have an electric start engine?
What additional electronics do you have?
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frejoh
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USA
116 Posts
Response Posted - 06/17/2009 :  18:51:25  Show Profile
No electric start, all stock electrics except for depth sounder. I gues the home run is about 12-15 feet, maybe more? Stereo has a 10 amp fuse. Your questions tell me you must be knowledgeable. Thanks for your advice.
Edited by - frejoh on 06/17/2009 18:53:42
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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts
Response Posted - 06/18/2009 :  07:42:27  Show Profile
A 10 gauge wire should be enough to cover 22 feet for 10 amps DC. (44 feet total if you included the return distance) So a 15 foot home run would be okay.
I would add an in-line fuse to the positive wire as close as possible to the battery and maybe use a 15 amp fuse there. Though you have a 10 amp fuse on your radio I doubt it pulls anywhere near that under normal use. A depth sounder will usually pull much less than that so 15 amps should handle everything you have.
The best way to handle the ground wires is to install a buss bar near your switch panel where all grounds can terminate. Check, you may already have one. You would need a 10 gauge wire from the buss bar to the negative battery terminal. All wire should be marine grade which means it has been tinned. You can inspect it to see if it looks silver or copper. Tinned wire will appear silver.
A couple of good books to pick up for reference is Don Casey's Sailboat Electronics Simplified or Brotherton & Shermans The 12-Volt Bible for Boats. You can buy them used via the links page on this forum. [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/links.asp"]Right here[/url]
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Voyager
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USA
5371 Posts
Response Posted - 06/20/2009 :  16:23:55  Show Profile
The home run should be switched through the main power switch so that you never mistakenly leave the stereo turned on once you leave the boat. I would connect the #10 +12V wire from the master switch on the panel, so you can switch it off when not in use.

For the black system ground, it is common to have a five position copper grounding bus with screw terminals. It is not impressive, but adequate to connect your ground lead to. I replaced mine with a bus bar that is used for a 100 Amp, 240V circuit breaker panel.

One important thing to note is that the +12V yellow memory wire should be connected to a home run lead from the battery and <u>never</u> switched off. The purpose of this wire is to keep all your settings alive in the stereo memory even if the main power is turned off, i.e.: station numbers, EQ settings, configurations, etc.

The memory function only requires a few milli-amps to keep alive, so it will not appreciably drain your battery. It will be more than made up for by a house charger or solar charger.

Since it takes only milliamps, no more than a number 16 AWG wire will be needed for this connection. Regardless, for safety, it must be equipped with a 1A fuse very close to the battery.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.