Finished stereo upgrade in 2001

[SkiNautique2001]

I just finished a stereo upgrade in my 2001 consisting of:
1 Kicker S10L7 in the nose of my closed bow
1 Kicker KX600.1 Amp
Extra battery mounted in the space behind the kickpanel
Stinger battery isolator
2 4X10's under the backseat
MP3 decoding head unit

I did all of the work myself including the box build, and I'm excited about how well it all turned out. Thanks to the internet, I've got about $600 in everything, so that makes it even better.

[tonydjd]

RE: Finished stereo upgrade in 2001

Very nice job. Not overdone

[SNMike]

RE: Finished stereo upgrade in 2001

Great job!!!! Beautiful boat buddy!!! PDT_001

[Labatt911]

RE: Finished stereo upgrade in 2001

In the last picture, looks like a speaker is there a grill to cover that speaker. Just thinking about someone's heel or a ski going right into the speaker and damaging it. Just a thought.

[mfloski]

RE: Finished stereo upgrade in 2001

OK dumb question....what is the Stinger battery isolator?? I am thinking about adding a second battery but still not 100% clear on how it works exactly...I know what it takes to install it but not clear on how exactly to utilize it?

As far as your install job, looks great nice job....feels great to do it yourself doesn't it!

[Labatt911]

way i did it

just hook all of your stereo equipment up to the second (aux) battery and your main boat battery cables up to the first (main) battery. When the boat is off the stereo draws from the aux battery then when the boat is running the alternator and main battery recharge it

[mfloski]

RE: way i did it

So instead of a switch you use an isolator? does the just know automatically that when the boat is off to pull power from the second battery instead of the first? Where do you get the isolators? Does the boat already have 8 gauge coming from the Alternator or do you have to install that? Sorry for all the questions but I really think I need to address this subject in my boat and I just am a little behind on this area so thanks for any help. I have a regular marine duty battery that is just sitting in my garage, I pulled it out to put in a single Blue Top Optima but would like to have a second for starting the boat incase of emergency. Again Thanks,

[SkiNautique2001]

RE: way i did it

Labatt,
You're right, there is no grill over the speakers under my backseat. The problem is that I can't find 4x10 grills anywhere, and I will most likely have to get something fabricated to protect them.

Mfloski,
The battery "isolator" that I used is actually a relay that breaks the connection between the positive terminals of the batteries whenever the ignition switch is off. Labatt is correct in his diagram for a true battery isolator, but I used a slightly different approach. This isolates the deep cycle battery for my stereo and a couple of other accessories when the engine isn't running and keeps my cranking battery fully charged. This link should help:
http://www.stingerelectronics.com/te...%20diagram.pdf

[tonydjd]

RE: way i did it

I have a similar set up however I used the colehersee 24117 contious duty soleniod it's made especially for the marine enviroment. I took advice from another member on this site they said make sure the charging wire(i.e. the original postive cable) stay's connected to the starting battery not the stereo battery.


http://www.colehersee.com/catalog_top/index.htm

Product Family: Solenoids
: 24117
Description: Continuous Duty Solenoid

[mfloski]

RE: way i did it

SkiNautique2001,

did you go with the 85 or the 200amp version?

[SkiNautique2001]

RE: way i did it

The 80A (SR80). I've still got the stock alternator (~40A), and the only real power hog is the KX600.1 which will max out around 50A on hard hitting bass, so I think that I'll be fine. If I were running an amp on my component speakers, I'd have to upgrade the alternator and run the SR200.

[mfloski]

OK, that prompted another question, one that I can not seem to get answered with any real clarity. How can one determine if the stock alternator is not going to cut it any more....let say, I got a couple amps, one good size one for the sub and one 4ch for tower speakers. Four lights (light bar), and lets say I have the two battery set up as discussed above.......when or how can I determine if the stock alternator can not hold up or is being overloaded.

[Bremsen]

Nice install...hope to do something similar to our 88 this season. We've got nothing right now. Did you install the 6.5s in front also?

Where in SC are you....ever on Wylie?

[SkiNautique2001]

Finished stereo upgrade in 2001

Bremsen,
The front speakers were already there and were the only components that I didn't upgrade. I'm in Spartanburg, but we just moved here last year from Charlotte. We used to board on Wylie several times a week. We lived on Choate Circle (link between Carowinds Blvd. and 49), so we were just minutes from Buster Boyd. I still visit Wylie a few times a year, but Hartwell is much more ski-friendly.
Did you have your 88 during Summer '04? If so, what color is it? We usually boarded in Crowder's creek, but we've been all over Wylie. Here's a shot of mine.

[mgswed]

OK, that prompted another question, one that I can not seem to get answered with any real clarity. How can one determine if the stock alternator is not going to cut it any more....let say, I got a couple amps, one good size one for the sub and one 4ch for tower speakers. Four lights (light bar), and lets say I have the two battery set up as discussed above.......when or how can I determine if the stock alternator can not hold up or is being overloaded.

Correct me if im wrong but i believe you can, while the engine is off check the intensity of your lights, then while the engine is running and everything is on (dash lights and light bar, stereo, heater, whatever you have in the boat), if the lights start to dim or are much less intense, its an indication that you might want to upgrade your alternator. Im pretty sure there are other ways to do it but that could be a first indication.