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installing car radio

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capnron1207
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/12/2005 : 21:00:21

i want to install a car stereo, any suggestions as to where to install it,and how do i hang it. I was thinking to place it in the galley area close to the electrical panel, but what kind of hardware can i use to affix it? Also, what kind of drill is advisable to cut speaker holes in the fiberglass?

capnron

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2005 : 22:09:36

I use a pod made by Poly Planer
http://www.marine.com/product_info.php/products_id/6223

I also used Poly Planer speakers in the cockpit, I used an adjustable circle cuter; buy a hole saw if you can.

Edited by - on

cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2005 : 00:37:00

This was one of my projects this winter. Like Frank, I used the poly planer box, and purchased a CD player that also plays MP3 Files. One CD of MP3 is approx. 10 CDs. I mounted mine just aft of the port bulkhead above the shelf at a 45 degree angle. I did this because I wanted to be able to use the wireless remote from the cockpit.
My PO mounted 6X9 and 3in tweeters in the bulk heads of the cabin. The sound reaches the cockpit nicely, but can be loud to crew down below. To start from scratch though, I don't know that I would want to cut into the cockpit for speakers. I think I would look into outdoor speakers that could be temporarily moved into the cockpit, and bookshelf size speakers for the cabin.
Good luck with however you choose.
Chris

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by capnron1207
 i want to install a car stereo, any suggestions as to where to install it,and how do i hang it. I was thinking to place it in the galley area close to the electrical panel, but what kind of hardware can i use to affix it? Also, what kind of drill is advisable to cut speaker holes in the fiberglass?

Edited by - on

bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2005 : 13:36:17

Hello, Music is a must on our boat. We have an older marine tape player with a 1/8 mini plug on the front for the cd/mp3 player. This is nice because the stereo does not have to run a motor to turn tape for music,this saves a tremendous amount of battery power. Most stereos today play cd's but have motors to spin the cd as well. Another option would be a wireless fm transmitter, available at Best Buy for $20 bucks or so. This device will allow a discman or i-pod to transmit to an fm frequency thus not using as much power.
It is mounted in a gimballed mount by Polyplanar, which was $60, which sits to the left of the steps where the vhf used to be. The exterior speakers are mounted to a piece of stiff foam that does not retain water. This way we can easily stow them when not in use. I wedge it in the transom of the cockpit floor, wires can run thru cockpit locker or under the cushions in light wind.

Barry

Edited by - on

Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2005 : 15:11:54

What a timely question. Just this weekend (in sweltering heat) I installed a CD/MP3 car stereo. On my '89 WK/SR I installed it into the bulkhead just aft of the galley sink. Most of the unit protrudes into the port cockpit locker making accessibility to the back of the unit fairly easy (if you're not too big to crawl into the locker). All you see in the cabin is basically the faceplace. I used small satellite speaker from Cambridge Soundworks and their small powered subwoofer (I still need to sort that out a little).

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2005 : 16:08:10

Another option is to use surface rather than flush mount speakers. This avoids hole cutting. Surface mounts typically use a "U" bracket to hold the speaker box which is usually a two way unit containing a four inch 'bass' or low range speaker and a one inch 'tweeter', or high range speaker. Many manufacturers available, from Bose (expensive) to Radio Shack (cheaper). Even the RS ones sound quite good, unless you're a wicked audiophile. These can be mounted on the port/starboard sides of the wall between the main cabin and head, or even further aft. Not as elegant or space conservative as a flush mount like Franks' cockpit speakers, but workable. On our boat, we use an 'iPod' portable MP3 player for a source. It drives a small amplifier, about 30 watts RMS per channel. When we're tired of the music on it, we take it home and 'flush 'n' fill' it anew.

Frank, what's that silver West Marine equipment with the holes in it below your stereo?

Bob

Edited by - seastream on 06/13/2005 16:11:42

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2005 : 00:58:56

The West Marine Dehumidifier, just a heat coil with a fan but it works very well. I run it all winter on the hard and in the early spring and fall at the slip.
I use Radio Shack speakers like you describe in my boat. I love my iPod as well. Poly Planer makes waterproof speakers with metal grills so I am very happy that I flush mounted them. It was easy and they sound very good.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2005 : 09:55:43

I mounted my Kenwood marine rated unit, which has a wireless remote (a very manly feature) into a plastic enclosure, which I bought from boater's world, under the cabin ceiling next to the port bulkhead, next to the mast post. In this location I can run the wires through the port bulkhead, thru small drilled holes, and also be able to use the wireless remote from the cockpit.
I put my flush mount waterproof, magnetically shielded poly planar speakers into the sides of the cabin seats. This allows the whole volume under the seat to act as a speaker enclosure. I cut the holes with a jig saw.
In the future I plan to add either XM or Sirius.

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2005 : 22:41:36

Once again I submit my caveat about speakers in proximity to youyr compass, if you use a compass. It is simply amazing how the compass is affected by a speaker, even a wee one. Before installing the speaker, move it around the compass and watch to see if there is an effect going on. Fair winds, ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2005 : 23:51:39

I installed a Kenwood Radio in the same Poly Planar enclosure! I also picked up an iPod cable that allows you to control and charge the ipod from the kenwood radio (it plugs into the CD changer communication port) I decided to install 6x9 in cabin and 4 1/2 in cockpit coamings. I found the speakers in the cabin (though powerful) are not adequate for cockpit unless its cranked up (which makes it uncomfortable for ppl below deck)

It is great to have thousands of songs and playlists at your remote control fingertips! :) Of course no sail is complete with out at least one Jimmy Buffet song...

To make the hole, you can either use a hole saw or a dremel/rotozip with cutting bit. My advice is remove all cushions/pillows from boat first, because alot of fiberglass dust will be generated from cutting.

Kurt
#818 C250WK 'Tortuga'

Edited by - Capt. Kurt on 06/14/2005 23:56:04

Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 09:49:56

Nothing to it:

The mount that came with the radio holds it in place once the hole is cut. For reception I bought a flexible rubber antenna that I zip tied to some nuts on the back of the electrical panel.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 11:20:12

Antenna is important, I needed a boosted one. I found a fiberglass antenna about eight inches long that is as flat as a tongue depressor. It looks like a wing, it lays so flat that mine is above my radio on the shelf, works fine. I do not remember where I got it

Edited by - on

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