Installing a WS420 and a few Q's

[kevfran99]

I want to install it under my key pad.

1.Which is the best direction to run the RCA's and remote wire? Where do you have them exiting the boat to plug into the 420? Anyone have any pics of this?

2. Where is the best place to draw power and ground? Any pics?

3. I didn't notice any brackets to mount the 420. What do I use?

4. Anything else I should know?



When I do the install I will take a pics and do a DIY for everyone. Thanks for your help!

[Chexi]

My setup is somewhat different from yours, as my head unit is in the dash. However, here is what I did. My WS-420 is mounted underneath the right side of the dash (I am right handed). The unit should have shipped with two mounting brackets. I built up some spacers out of small strips of cutting board material, screwed that into the fiberglass under the dash such that I had a mounting surface that was essentially flush with the bottom of my dash and mounted the WS 420 to that.

If I remember correctly, I tied the remote on into my other remote on lines for my head unit and amps.

The instructions should indicate how to hook everything up, including how the RCA's run. They go Head Unit to WS-420 to amps. If you put your WS-420 near the dash and your head unit is in the glove box, you will get some back and forth with the rca cables. It is unavoidable with that setup. Personally, as a frequent driver, I think the dash or throttle pad setups are better (and result in shorter rca runs with the WS-420), but that is just my opinion.

All my audio is powered directly off an audio battery (via a distribution block). I cut my head unit power and ground and also ran them to my distrobution block, which shares a common ground with the engine battery. I have a diagram at home and will try to post it later tonight.

[ks619]

1.Which is the best direction to run the RCA's and remote wire? Where do you have them exiting the boat to plug into the 420? Anyone have any pics of this?

I put the RCAs in some wire loom and zip tied it to the upper portion of the bow. It uses a little more wire, but it isolated it from the power wires for my second battery in the bow. I have no noise issues, even with the long runs. So in response to the previous poster, I guess it is avoidable. The key is to make sure low voltage signal cables are nowhere near higher voltage power cables.

2. Where is the best place to draw power and ground? Any pics?

I have two battery switches under the dash. I just tied into those.

3. I didn't notice any brackets to mount the 420. What do I use?

It comes with small brackets, but I made some custom extensions with some 1" aluminum from Lowe's. This worked well, becase it was easy to cut and bend and won't corrode. Make sure you use stainless screws also. I was going to make a "faceplate" for it, but I was able to tuck in in nicely to the bottom of the dash on the left side, so I left it alone. I like it on the left for a few reasons. My passengers can reach the volume controls and the mic easier to tallk back to the boarder/surfer. This lets me drive instead of screwing with the radio. Also, I mounted an ipod holder on the right, so the allowed me to tuck that up a little higher for shade and protection.

4. Anything else I should know?

Don't forget to match all of your gains on your amps and on the 420. You can get some wicked noise if you don't. I refer you to the guys at Earmark for the how to on that. I think the manual that comes with the 420 tells you how to do it also.


Enjoy! This is one of the best things I have purchased for my boat!

[Chattwake]

I mounted one under the dash in my 230. I just ran the RCA's to the back of that drop down panel under the dash and looped them around it and then let the wires fall down into the bilge. I screwed that panel back on and it sort of pinched the wires in place. It's not the cleanest setup, but I didn't want to drill huge hole for the wires. I ziptied the rca's out of the way in the bilge and then ran them up into the storage compartment.

[TRO]

it seems like you need 3 different amps to fully utilize the advantages of the 420. one for each set of adjustments (sub, boat, tower). is that right?

cause i only think i have 2 amps right now. without looking, i think my tower is connected to one and the sub and boat are connected to one.

[ks619]

it seems like you need 3 different amps to fully utilize the advantages of the 420. one for each set of adjustments (sub, boat, tower). is that right?

cause i only think i have 2 amps right now. without looking, i think my tower is connected to one and the sub and boat are connected to one.

Well, you need three channel pairs at least, not neccessarily three amps. Most likely at least one of your amps is a four channel. Its like having two amps in one case. You can look at the number of RCA inputs on each amp to tell how many channels it is. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, take it to a shop. They can tell you what you have and set up your new 420. It is definitely worth it!

[TRO]

i can figure it out when i go look at my setup. it is off site and i don't recall how my amps are wired. i do know i have 2 amps and i think one is the stock clarion. i have the system basics down, just not sure how it is wired without looking at it.