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Adding a radio/cd player to 97 Challenger

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Dans97challenger

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Hey everyone,

I was just wondering as anyone on here added a radio to their boat? The wiring can't be that hard. Please let me know as I want to do this during the winter if anyone has done it.

I mean it is just positive, negative and speaker wires.

Do these motors recharge the battery??? I an a newb to boating so I have a million questions.
 
Yeah I was wondering what the battery situation is like in a Sea-Doo. What kind of alternator is this? Is a 60 x 4 amp too much for our boat (an actual amp, not the deck alone). Should I add a second battery?

I was told in a thread before you could drill holes in the sides of the boat and run wires and they would go in to the storage compartment. I am not sure where the wires go from there, probably in to the console.

I want to figure out where to put a deck though in my boat. The console isn't very fitting.
 
I think we could mount it under the steering wheel. That would be a good place for it. Mount it on a bracket so it hangs down. You could also cut and mount into the side panel as well. I am sure we can do this but I wanted to see if anyone else has done it yet.
 
I haven't seen any stereos myself in the 14.5 foot long Challenger that I have with the single 110.

I don't know how accomodating it would be with a bracket situation under the steering console. Could bump in to it a bit is what I am saying. It is definitely less messy then cutting more fiberglass though and hoping you have clearance for the deck though. I have seen the marine waterproof cd player boxes that hang with brackets though.
 
I guess no one can tell us if this can be done. I will ask the Seadoo mechanic this weekend when I bring in my boat for winterization if adding a cd player is ok and if the magneto will recharge the battery enough for it.
 
Stereo

I mounted mine on the side panel not hard at all on my '96 Seadoo challenger but I wish I had mounted it under the steering wheel since I can't reach it when driving and with the engine noise you need to adjust the volume alot. Just run the speaker wire through the bottom storage to get to the other side of the boat, it's no problem.
 
Do it right!

If you want to enjoy your stereo in all conditions a quality and correct installation is required. I had a professional shop install mine in at a cost of 450.00 CAN. Clarion marine C.D. receiver mounted on side of console 4x 45w Clarion marine speakers 2 on the rear side walls 2 at the front L & R of centre and a sub jack connection front center all 3" above floor level. I have a 300w Clarion marine subwoofer installed in a boat matching sub box thats removable with monster cables plugged into the jack run through a 100w Clarion marine amp mounted on the rear wall of the engine compartment. They installed a power assisted radio antenna to increase the signal. I have the option of the radio, CD player, or my 80G iPod with Griffin iTrip providing the tunes. I installed a two battery set up. The stereo is on a Optima marine gel and the starting battery is separated from the system with a 3 way switch so I can segragate or combine them to charge off the boat. I installed an onboard battery charger w external waterproof flushmount plug jack. Yes it sounds that good... look you turned your head!
 
That is a lot of stereo for $450 canadian (if that includes battery, fm signal booster). I am going to spend $410 on just a deck, a set of 8" Memphis 2 ways, and am amp. No wiring or second battery.

You must have gotten good deals on hardware or you got a great deal on install.
 
The 97 speedster I just got has a radio w/ 2 speakers

Dan -
They mounted it in the bin under the pop-up helm compartment.
At one time, the unit had a remote control, so the location was not that critical. I do like the idea of having the unit reachable while driving - I don't see myself opening the pop-up while underway.
I'll see if I can trace the power and ground to see where they tapped in.

Seaworthy1957 - nice setup

Factory91 - I bet that $450 is just labor for the install, there was a good amount of work for that kind of install
 
I definitely think I will install mine under the steering wheel set up. That is the best spot for it. I will do that next spring. The boat is getting winterized next weekend and shrink wrapped so I won't be able to access it until spring time.
 
Let me clarify the 450.00 CAN was just for the install. All mounting hardware is stainless monster cables and soldered. The system was purchased at the Toronto Boat Show after chasing the Clarion rep all day for a deal. Deck speakers sub and amp total $1,000.00 CAN With all the rest I was about $2,200.00 total cost. I'm 6'2 so under the console wasn't an option. The Clarion deck does come with a remote controller option. I have owned other boats and sound systems and knew that sound is easily lost on the water. This set up can be heard clearly while running full out under any conditions.
 
I'd definately go for a second battery in the single engine boats... the charging circuit only puts out a total of 5 amps at idle, 12 amps at cruise... thats not enough to run a big amp/speaker setup and still charge the battery and also run the computer...
most folks add a second battery and a bypass switch so you don't get stranded. Make sure to put some kind of isolator on the charging system, if you bump the subs too loud without, it could burn out the magneto or regulator, better to pull it from the batteries or from a cap then from the magneto.
 
vilord said:
I'd definately go for a second battery in the single engine boats... the charging circuit only puts out a total of 5 amps at idle, 12 amps at cruise... thats not enough to run a big amp/speaker setup and still charge the battery and also run the computer...
most folks add a second battery and a bypass switch so you don't get stranded. Make sure to put some kind of isolator on the charging system, if you bump the subs too loud without, it could burn out the magneto or regulator, better to pull it from the batteries or from a cap then from the magneto.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info on the amp out put on the charging system. I did not know that. I thought it was low but did not know the numbers. :cheers:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just so you know, it is 4amps idle/11 amps cruise for the 717 motors... both of these I pulled from the shop manual, so it may only be approximate...
 
vilord said:
Just so you know, it is 4amps idle/11 amps cruise for the 717 motors... both of these I pulled from the shop manual, so it may only be approximate...
Click to expand...
Thanks I was thanking that both the 787 and 717 wear probbly close. I would thank that most all of these engines a within a few amps of each other but to be sure you would have to read the manual. :cheers:
 
Hi guys,

About to ad a CD and speakers to the 95 Speedster am i right in saying that a cd player and four speakers will be okay without having to add extra batteries or capacitors?

My System will be a

pioneer deck with Ipod interface

2 6 inch or 6*9 up the front in the bow
and two 6.5 components in the rear with passive cross overs.

should i do it this way or have the 6*9's at the back? and the components up the front?

Are there any images around with how systems look on the 95s?

cheers
 
In general component speakers do not usually perform without an amplifier driving them. The deck does not provide sufficient power, and with our more than obvious lack of amps the boat provides if you were to add an amplifier it would be an obvious yes you need a second battery with an isolator.

If you just run a deck with 2 sets of speakers you shouldn't really consume more than a few amps of power, and a nice single battery should be fine, but a second battery / isolator would be best if you sit in one spot for a long time and chill listening to the music.
 
Yeah I don't plan on running an amp with mine either. Just a deck and 4 speakers and that is it. I am going to run 2 sets of 5 1/4 2-way speakers so I don't need to add another battery. Should be interesting and I can't wait to get this project under way as soon as spring gets here. It is already cold up here in the northeast. High of 59 today. Not really boating weather anymore.
 
with a speedster, you will fare better than us single-engine boat owners, only because you have two magnetos. 8 amps idle, 22 amps cruise.
If I were you i'd still go dual-battery with an isolator, as the expense of the second battery and isolator (under 100 USD) is still less than replacing a rectifier or magneto.
 
Where do I mount the second Batt. in a two engine speedster?

I am curious in a two engine setup, where is there room to install the second battery, and where can I get an isolator also. Thanks for the input
 
For the second battery, at least in my boat there is room between the hull and the tank along the side. (From the engine compartment, forward of the primary battery, next to the fuel tank). I haven't done it yet tho... isolator I've seen 'em on west marine's website, again, haven't done it yet.
 
I mounted the auxillary battery to a stainless steel plate mounted in the left rear corner of the engine compartment. The Optima marine gel battery can be mounted on it's side allowing installation in this area. These batteries are designed to be fully drained up to 400 times.
 
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