where to ground amps

[joey]

running three amps of a distrabution block where would you run the ground to 2004 sa226

[SuperSquirt]

RE: where to ground amps

Ground to battery

[AirTool]

RE: where to ground amps

adding two periods and a question mark

. ? .

[jaybird]

RE: where to ground amps

Battery, where else?

[AuMDLST]

RE: where to ground amps

I would suggest you do some more research before jumping into your first DC voltage stereo project.
What size wire are you running to the dist. block for the amps? What size from the dist. block to the amps?
Are you using a dist. block for the negitive?

[jaybird]

RE: where to ground amps

I agree with AuMDLST,

Not to be overly critical but if you are asking where to hook the ground you may need to do some research before proceeding. It’s not a car, no chassis ground! All your wire and fuse sizes are critical. And with 12 V DC the over looked issue is the length of the run greatly affects the wire size. Be careful!

[Chexi]

RE: where to ground amps

Anyone know of a guide marine installation audio guide to bone up on this stuff?

Also, do you guys have your head units powered by the main cranking battery or the same auxillary battery(ies) that power your amps? I'm guessing that you might want all of your accessories wired into the auxillary batteries, but that would require some re-wiring in the dash. However, I'm a total noob at this stuff, so these are all questions, not informed statements.

[jaybird]

Audio system

Chexi,

Power to your head unit may depend on how you power your speakers, if you are not connecting any speakers to the head unit then yes, just connect it to your accesories battery. You will need one switch wire and one that is always hot in most cases.

Setting up a high-end audio system is complicated depending on your electrical knowledge. If you have an electrical back ground its fairly straight forward, if your skills are elsewhere, consider getting help. Depending on your requirements a good system can pull 80 to 200 amps, not properly wired that can be dangerous, but installed correctly will out perform your expectations. A boat and car audio are the same with a few exceptions; the major is the grounding system of a boat is solely dependant on the battery ground. If your amps are mounted in a confined area that is exposed to the engine and or fuel system they must be ignition protected. If your amps are mounted in an area that is dry with good ventilation, standard car amps are fine and you get more for your money. Marine amps limit your choices and carry a $ premium. Marine audio system must have more power since the sound is not enclosed, thus to obtain clear crisp sound when cruising at 21 you need double the amps of a good car audio. If you want to tackle a high-end system you must understand voltage drop, crossovers, clipping, and a host of other technical knowledge to properly do a good install with quality sound. That’s not to say it hard to put in a high-end system, the key is to get the sound out you pay for.

Best advice is “FUSE” wire sizes properly.

Check out this link, it will help, goof luck.

http://www.bcae1.com/

[jaybird]

RE: Audio system

Chexi,

Back to your question about powering you head unit.

If you have a duel battery system and you head unit is powered from a different battery from your amps you MUST BOND ALL GROUNDS!!!!!!! The primary and secondary battery grounds must be tied together.

[Chexi]

RE: Audio system

Thanks Jaybird. My system is already set up. It was done by a professional car installer before I bought the boat... actually way back in 2000. I am moving batteries and installing an isolater/combiner. I'm also disconnecting the speakers that are presently wired to the head unit and wiring them to the 4 channel amp. That's it. So most of the work is done, but I want to understand everything so that I can be sure that the original setup was correct and safe, and so that the few changes I make do not do any harm.

I do know that 4 gauge was used on the power runs and that the deep cycle amp batteries (wired in parallel) have an inline fuse on the positive right next to the battery that is closest to the present perko switch. This is at least a marginally good sign. However, there was an extra set of power cords running off the deep cycle batteries that I have not figured out what they were doing. I think they are routed toward the engine compartment, but I will have to trace them this weekend.

I'm about halfway through www.bcae1.com. A very good resource, but it is for car audio, so the grounding advice is not entirely applicable. From what I have gathered in this thread, in our nautiques, we simply ground to the battery, correct? This in my limited mind does not seem like grounding at all. It just seems like completing the circuit. Grounding to me is taking the negative and connecting is to something other than the battery... but what the heck do I know.

[gride300]

RE: Audio system

a place did a system for me and didnt fuse anything. could have been a nice fire. the guys at wet sounds would probably give you some advice even if you aren't a customer. they are pretty knowledgeable and nice to deal with.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Audio system

Chexi - You do not have a "ground" on a boat but rather 12 volts negative. Same as a car. A "ground" is a path to earth.

[Chexi]

RE: Audio system

I will be adding a WS420, so I will be a customer. I will definitely talk to them when I order the WS420.

[Chexi]

RE: Audio system

If the negatives / grounds are bonded between the head unit and the amps and the head unit and the amps are powered (positive) by different batteries, won't that defeat the purpose of the isolator relay?

[TravisFling]

RE: Audio system

Grounding to the battery may feel "naughty" but that's the right way when you're under way!! As I always say. During the day... eh... ugh.
The guys at Wetsounds are very knowledgeable and nice and they will certainly help you out. Running speakers off the amps instead of the headunit will produce some good results, but certainly heed the advice about fuses. It's so often overlooked but when you're on a boat there's no where else to go, eh? It's a huge deal and a very important one for the safety of your nautique (people are replaceable...)