before i too much more sailing i really need to get my stereo hooked up. installed the speakers already. 2 bose speakers i scored from one of those 800 buck ipod docks that was on the side of the road and 2 pioneers that i bought in a set with pioneer car stereo for 88 bucks. Installed one of these in the bluebird and it was awesome, so once i sold that i bought the same system and have added the Bose speakers.

In the bluebird i basically just hooked the stereo up directly to the battery and disconnected/connected it with a spring clamp at back of radio as there was no internal electrics. Worked well, however the new Tophat has an electric control panel controlling everything (bilge Pump, Cig Socket, cabin lights etc.)
Id really like to hook the stereo up properly to the control panel so that when the mains are off the stereo is off etc.
I know if i played around with it a bit id get it, but everytime i go to do it, i just go sailing instead - without music. But enoughs enough! it needs to be hooked up ASAP!!!!
Any advice on the best way to figure this out would be muchly appreciated. Thanks!

This link was posted in Shooting the Breeze. Thought it would be handy for us here.

www.rpc.com.au/pdf/Wire_Chart.pdf

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-12-GANG-LED-SWITCH-PANEL-WATERPROOF-SLIM-TOUCH-CONTROL-PANEL-BOAT-CARAVAN-/281109111827?pt=AU_Boat_Parts_Accessories&hash=item417368a413
I am considering using one of these wondered if any one thought they might be OK? very compact

Hi Ladies,
It's time to do a full rewire of the cat, including new switch panels.

Does anyone have experience with one of these, BEP battery monitor?
http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu-8/product-506/902v-dcsm-12-way-circuit-breaker-panel-with-digital-meter .

Basically an 8 way switch panel, for DC, includes + bus bars, and monitors 2 batteries. Once setup, it theoretically gives battery capacity remaining, as well as displaying normal DC V and current, all in a fairly tidy package.

Apart from being fairly $$$$, from the manual it may be an overkill. It has capacity to give warings on low battery, monitor tanks, bilge pumps etc.

Power is fairly precious, as I have limited charging. Scenario is 9.9 Hp with st alternator, twin deep cycle batts, 1 80W solar panel. No AC, no fridge but GPS, radio etc.

The attractive part about the BEP monitor was the ability to see remaining battery capacity,rather than just voltage.But I also subscribe to the KISS principle, and don't know if I really want/need something on the baot that needs firmware upgrades even.

thanks

Hi all,

I decided that it was time to add to the ambiance when out on the boat so I am installing a stereo unit. Purchased a Fusion marine stero system and connected it up but the damn thing wouldn't work.

I am no electrician so it is highly likely that the fault is with the installer rather than the unit but I did check with the multi meter and I have 12 volts getting to the unit as far as I can tell. So to my untrained assessment it has power and should work.

The thing I wasn't sure of was the "ground" wire. Would that not being connected to anything stop the unit from working? I was working on the assumption that even without that connected if there was power to the unit it should work (or at least turn on).

Any suggestions greatfully accepted.

what are the best and cheapest way to have on board power for things like fans, lights, radio, tv