check out my wiring diagram...

[Essex29]

Please give me some feedback on the wiring for my setup... :confused:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1077untitled.bmp
I will also be connecting leads from my battery charger to each of the 1700's
here is the charger I'll be using...
http://promariner.com/productFeature.php?ProductNum=51030
I will be relying on the alternator to charge the 2 megatron's for starting only.
I'm looking for advice on the type and size of wire to use.
Let me know if I should do or add anything.
Thanks! :rollside:

[ROZ]

Use 4ga wire.. All Battery grounding is to the block... Stereo Grounding is to the battery..
I'd wire the batteries at opposite ends for the charger. Hopefully will charge the bank a little more equally... Meaning positive from battery 1 and the negative from battery 3...
You're going generator, I take it...

[Essex29]

Use 4ga wire.. All Battery grounding is to the block... Stereo Grounding is to the battery..
I'd wire the batteries at opposite ends for the charger. Hopefully will charge the bank a little more equally... Meaning positive from battery 1 and the negative from battery 3...
You're going generator, I take it...
No, I am not going with the genny...
So if I wire the charger to the opposite ends would it end up like this..
1...pos batt 1 to neg batt 2
2...pos batt 2 to neg batt 3
3...pos batt 3 to neg batt 1
look right?

[Havasu Hangin']

The way you have that layed out, the amps being constantly hooked up will kill your stereo batteries when sitting. A separate "on-off" Perko switch for the stereo would allow you to turn the stereo batteries off when stored.
I'd use 2 gauge...but that's just me.

[ROZ]

I figured you were going to run a generator to keep the batteries charged since you aren't running the stereo batts on the alternator....
I'm with HH, you'll want the 2ga...
If you don't run it from the perko like HH suggested, you can put a circuit breaker inline that you can trip when the boat is in storage...
How long and hard do you play your stereo?

[BoatFloating]

I figured you were going to run a generator to keep the batteries charged since you aren't running the stereo batts on the alternator....
I'm with HH, you'll want the 2ga...
If you don't run it from the perko like HH suggested, you can put a circuit breaker inline that you can trip when the boat is in storage...
How long and hard do you play your stereo?
He should be running a genny and get rid 1 stereo battery and 1 motor battery.
I run a 100 amp circut breaker and trip it when in storage works great and it kills 2 birds with 1 stone.

[Havasu Hangin']

I run a 100 amp circut breaker and trip it when in storage works great and it kills 2 birds with 1 stone.
A circuit breaker will wear out eventually (spring), so I stopped using them. Also, they have more resistance than a fuse...
But what do I know? :messedup:
:mix:

[BoatFloating]

A circuit breaker will wear out eventually (spring), so I stopped using them. Also, they have more resistance than a fuse...
But what do I know? :messedup:
:mix:
Exactly......
:hammer2: The good news that if it wears out they still sell them. I've seen my share Perko switches stop working also...

[Havasu Hangin']

Exactly......
:hammer2: The good news that if it wears out they still sell them. .
So when the circuit breaker gives out on the lake (on a Sunday), then we'll just have you hold the button down 24/7?
:hammerhea

[phebus]

So when the circuit breaker gives out on the lake (on a Sunday), then we'll just have you hold the button down 24/7?
:hammerhea
That would have to happen on Saturday. By Sunday, he couldn't find it..... :D

[XtrmWakeborder]

So when the circuit breaker gives out on the lake (on a Sunday), then we'll just have you hold the button down 24/7?
:hammerhea
Duct tape? :)

[Havasu Hangin']

Duct tape? :)
Yeah...Goatblowing probably has lots of duct tape onboard (he needs them for the fuel fills)...
...however, duct-taping a circuit breaker closed is a fire hazard. Lord knows those Aftershocks don't need anymore fire hazards...
:D

[phebus]

Yeah...Goatblowing probably has lots of duct tape onboard (he needs them for the fuel fills)...
...however, duct-taping a circuit breaker closed is a fire hazard. Lord knows those Aftershocks don't need anymore fire hazards...
:D
Most circut breakers are internal trip, so holding the button/lever in the closed position wouldn't work. Good for resetting only if the internal circut will reset.
Imagine how loud Rocky would be without his stereo overpowering him? :hammer2:

[Havasu Hangin']

Most circut breakers are internal trip, so holding the button/lever in the closed position wouldn't work. Good for resetting only if the internal circut will reset.
Imagine how loud Rocky would be without his stereo overpowering him? :hammer2:
"Most circuitbreakers"? Even the Aftershock ones?
I think they market them..."buy one fire, get one free"
:supp:

[BoatFloating]

HH, like butter today he's on a roll..... I carry spares of everything.... ;)

[Norseman]

No, I am not going with the genny...
So if I wire the charger to the opposite ends would it end up like this..
1...pos batt 1 to neg batt 2
2...pos batt 2 to neg batt 3
3...pos batt 3 to neg batt 1
look right?
No that will get you a Very large spark and a big bang!!!!!!!
Positive to positive, and negative to negative, the charger can go from Pos on 1 to neg on 3.
The 3 batteries are wired in parallel, the voltage stays at 12 volts, but you have increased the amount of current that the stereo can draw, before the voltage sags.

[ROZ]

Positive to positive, and negative to negative, the charger can go from Pos on 1 to neg on 3.
Exactly... Good catch :)

[BoatFloating]

Exactly... Good catch :)
Oh I see all us guys are reading the posts......
:jawdrop:

[Havasu Hangin']

Oh I see all us guys are reading the posts......
:jawdrop:
Are you kidding?
I though he was going for the 36 volt system? Do you know how loud those amps would be at 36 volts*?
:cool:
*for a split second

[BoatFloating]

Are you kidding?
I though he was going for the 36 volt system? Do you know how loud those amps would be at 36 volts*?
:cool:
*for a split second
Damn right and longer playing too....

[Essex29]

No that will get you a Very large spark and a big bang!!!!!!!
Positive to positive, and negative to negative, the charger can go from Pos on 1 to neg on 3.
The 3 batteries are wired in parallel, the voltage stays at 12 volts, but you have increased the amount of current that the stereo can draw, before the voltage sags.
I actually meant.....
the lead from the charger's banks will go like this:
Lead 1....positive to the positive on battery 1 and the negative on battery 3
Lead 2....positive to the positive on battery 2 and the negative on battery 2
lead 3.....positive to the positive on battery 3 and the negative on battery 1
...am I still wrong?

[Essex29]

I figured you were going to run a generator to keep the batteries charged since you aren't running the stereo batts on the alternator....
I'm with HH, you'll want the 2ga...
If you don't run it from the perko like HH suggested, you can put a circuit breaker inline that you can trip when the boat is in storage...
How long and hard do you play your stereo?
I don't play sandbar dj...maybe 50-60 % most of the time.
If I run the inline circuit breaker, where does it go?

[ROZ]

Are you kidding?
*for a split second
Not even long enough to blurp :cool:

[phebus]

Just hook up batteries with all positives to positives, and all negatives to negatives (Parralel). Then hook up your chargers positive lead to the first batteries positive lead, and your negative lead to the last batteries negative lead (so the charger feeds through all batteries).

[phebus]

Goose, what amps did you decide to go with? I'm curious if you still are using that RF 800.4 amp, or if you are going to be selling it.

[ROZ]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/505/326gg_diagram-med.bmp
Batteries are wired parallel( note black and red lines are parallel ;) :D ) with the charger's terminals at opposite ends of the battery bank :)

[Essex29]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/505/326gg_diagram-med.bmp
Batteries are wired parallel( note black and red lines are parallel ;) :D ) with the charger's terminals at opposite ends of the battery bank :)
So if the charger has 3 banks would I connect all 3 positive leads to the 1 battery and do the same with the negative on the other battery?? :(

[Essex29]

Goose, what amps did you decide to go with? I'm curious if you still are using that RF 800.4 amp, or if you are going to be selling it.
I was going to sell the rf's and buy new, but it's not in the budget :frown:
I am actually looking for another 800.4 to buy .......got one for sale?

[BoatFloating]

If I run the inline circuit breaker, where does it go?
Between the power of the stereo system and the batteries...

[ROZ]

So if the charger has 3 banks would I connect all 3 positive leads to the 1 battery and do the same with the negative on the other battery?? :(
Looks to me as if your charger charges 3 seperate banks of batteries. The diagram above is one bank. your starting barrety is another bank...

[cruser]

No matter where you hook the charger, the current will make it to all the batteries. Just wire the positives together and the negatives together and hook the positive/negative leads where convenient, near the batteries, and they will all charge to the same level. This is assuming the battery leads are big enough to carry the charging current.

[Essex29]

OK, now that I am throughly confused.....PLESE HELP!!!
This is what I am trying to connect:
3 amps...2 4 channel , 1 2 channel
3 stereo batteries 1700's
2 boat batteries Megatron 24's
4 pair 6.5's in the cabin
1 pair 6x9's in the bow..should I just run them off of the stereo's power??
2 pair 6.5 mounted to the hatch..similar to Rocky's
4 10's subs...that what is currently in there
2 perko's
3 bank charger
Do I need a seperate amp for the speakers under the hatch?
It's a big boat, but not a lot of options for mounting the amps...I'll have to put them in the motor area.....fans??? or will it just be moving hot air?
I need some very specific instructions!!Keep it simple and spell everything out. Diagrams would be great too!!
Thanks!!

[Essex29]

Since all of the "guru's" were away for the weekend I thought I would bring this TTT....

[RiverDave]

OK, now that I am throughly confused.....PLESE HELP!!!
This is what I am trying to connect:
3 amps...2 4 channel , 1 2 channel
3 stereo batteries 1700's
2 boat batteries Megatron 24's
4 pair 6.5's in the cabin
1 pair 6x9's in the bow..should I just run them off of the stereo's power??
2 pair 6.5 mounted to the hatch..similar to Rocky's
4 10's subs...that what is currently in there
2 perko's
3 bank charger
Do I need a seperate amp for the speakers under the hatch?
It's a big boat, but not a lot of options for mounting the amps...I'll have to put them in the motor area.....fans??? or will it just be moving hot air?
I need some very specific instructions!!Keep it simple and spell everything out. Diagrams would be great too!!
Thanks!!
I don't know jack shiznit about the wiring / stereo end of things, but a "pimp" would change the amps over to water cooled.. ;)
RD

[Sweet Addiction]

I don't know jack shiznit about the wiring / stereo end of things, but a "pimp" would change the amps over to water cooled.. ;)
RD
Thats the funniest thing I have read all day. :D

[probablecause]

I would be very careful about having an aftermarket charger for charging the three 1700 batteries. That charger listed draws 120 volt current as it power source (ie. Wall plug or generator) and then converts it to 12volt and sends the AMPs downline to your batteries. Unless you have a generator to power this thing, it will not work like you intend it to. The charger you have listed is like and RV inverter/charger which is designed for a alternate power source (ie. Generator or wall plug).
It sounds like your goal is to make sure that no matter what, you can charge those batteries up in the shortest amount of time and to be able to start you boat - no matter what. If that is the case. Use only one battery for the starter and essential boat items like the lights etc. I would then run my stereo and everything else off of the four batteries. Go out and buy a high output alternator (direct replacement) that puts out high amps and just let the running engine it work its magic when you start the boat. Go to www.alternatorparts.com (http://www.alternatorparts.com) and you will see alternators with outputs as high as 250 amps. Mastervolt (http://www.mastervolt.com/alphapro/index.asp) has a great product which I think is exactly what you are looking for to keep the batteries topped off.
You only need one Perko switch - #1 for the starter and basics, and #2 for your monster stereo system.
Like Roz has stated, Just make sure since you are using 12 volt batteries that you run them from Positive Lead to Positive lead (leap frog or "parallel") and the same with the negative. If you go positive to negative on the three battery bank, you will end up with a 36 volt system (12volts x 3 batteries). The same applies on the other two where you will end up with 24 volts. When you leap frog from same terminal to same terminal you are creating the same 12 volt current but with more capacity (ie. longer run time). Make sure you use deep cycle marine/rv type batteries.
No matter what, you should always use a fuse block / panel / bank between the batteries and the equipment. Personally, I would run one fuse for each item only because if you start to blow fuses, you will know what item is causing the problem. You get really trick out the installation by running a completely separate switch panel of toggle switches with their own fuses, etc., it's only money.
Remember, If you have two different sizes of battery on the different battery banks and you throw the switch to the middle "BOTH" (so that all five are running concurrently), the batteries equalize and will drain to the lowest battery. You can PM me if you want to talk via phone.

[ROZ]

http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/505/326gg_basic.bmp
Orange = RCA's from Headunit into amps
Red = all power cables
Black = all grounds
Blue = remote turnon from headunit to amps via a relay
All speakers are parallel. I don't know what subs or sub amp you have, so don't follow that diagram. I madeit to indicate the sub amp.
The 2 4ch amps are in 2channel input 4ch output mode.
Also, depending on how you run your rca's, you could put a low level attenuator inline so you can adjust your bow 6x9's and underhatch speakers independently from just the headunit
Also remember that the main power and ground runs need to be mimicked. meaning same gauge wires...
Kinda gives you a visual...

[ROZ]

GG,
Remember to fuse everywhere I located and to make GREAT connections on ALL of your wires... I don't want you burning your boat down... :boxingguy :220v: :cry:

[Essex29]

http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/505/326gg_basic.bmp
Orange = RCA's from Headunit into amps
Red = all power cables
Black = all grounds
Blue = remote turnon from headunit to amps via a relay
All speakers are parallel. I don't know what subs or sub amp you have, so don't follow that diagram. I madeit to indicate the sub amp.
The 2 4ch amps are in 2channel input 4ch output mode.
Also, depending on how you run your rca's, you could put a low level attenuator inline so you can adjust your bow 6x9's and underhatch speakers independently from just the headunit
Also remember that the main power and ground runs need to be mimicked. meaning same gauge wires...
Kinda gives you a visual...
That is frickin AWESOME
I totally understand it now!!!!!Thanks Roz

[Essex29]

Well everything went pretty smooth!!!
All I did over the weekend was cut and mounted the speakers...pretty stressful cutting your boat up...
I'll post some pics later on today.
Thanks for everyones help!