2 replies to this topic

[tiddy82]

I am installing a Stereo system in my '96 challenger. Unfortunately, these boats do not come with stock systems, so there is no easy way to do it. Because these boats do not really have an ignition system like a regular boat, I am having a hard time finding power that will shut on and off with the boat. Has anyone installed a stereo in a similar model and could give me some pointers. I was thinking of wring both the memory and power wire directly from the battery with a switch for the power so I can at least manually turn it on and off. Is there a better way to do this?

[kathygrace]

Well, I don't know about better, but, my radio in a Challenger 2000 is wired so that when the master electrical it turned on at the engine hatch, the radio comes on without the key needing to be on, and if I open the glove box/storage passenger side, I can just turn the radio on/off via the radio power button. If I were to install a radio on/off switch, either toggle or push button I would mount it in the glove box/storage compartment. Why have a switch when you can just use the radio power button. The way its wired is direct to the fuse block connections=the radio does retain channel memory (newer radio/cd units have "a hard memory" to retain channel sttings),but not the radio time of day setting..which is lost-cause the master power switch kills power from the battery to all electrical--the clock runs off active electrical current not memory,who cares what time of day it is when boating, its easier to get the time of day from a cell phone and not worry about the radio clock/time being correct due to the on/off power shut down.

[vetteman]

I am installing a Stereo system in my '96 challenger. Unfortunately, these boats do not come with stock systems, so there is no easy way to do it. Because these boats do not really have an ignition system like a regular boat, I am having a hard time finding power that will shut on and off with the boat. Has anyone installed a stereo in a similar model and could give me some pointers. I was thinking of wring both the memory and power wire directly from the battery with a switch for the power so I can at least manually turn it on and off. Is there a better way to do this?

If you remove the storage tray that holds the fire extingisher (located in the front storage compartment) there is a module with 4 fuses located on it. It contains a spare 10 amp fuse labeled for auxiliary and if your boat has not been tampered, a two wire unused connector (orange and black wires) will be nearby. This circuit provides continuous 12 VDC and is further protected upstream by a 20 amp fuse (located in the main electrical box). If you want switched power, you can use a 12 volt relay and wire the coil to one of the guages purple & black wires, then use the orange and black auxiliary power wired to the relay's normally open contacts to power your radio. Hope this helps
Vetteman