Boat audio question

[TXHUNT3R]

OK here is my set up.

Head unit with CD player pulling power from the main starting/running battery. This head unit is powering two marine speakers 60W (i think).

Also have a 200Watt amp running power to two 10" subs. The amp is pulling from the same main stating / running battery.

The problem:

Turn the volume up to I would say mid point and the whole system cuts out and resets. Seems like it is not getting enough power to run the head unit and speakers. I tried turning the amp off and just running the head unit and speakers with same problem.

The fix?

What if I ran both speakers and subs off the amp? So instead of having the speakers come off the head unit and the subs come off the amp, they both run off the amp? Do you think this will stop this cut out for lack of power?

Should I add a battery?

[super_dave]

Replace the head unit. A good fix would be to run your highs and subs off the same amp, and use a Bluetooth connection. This would do away with the head unit.

If the battery is starting your boat, it should run a radio

[TexasBob]

Sounds like the head unit may be overheating. Does it cut out instantly or take a while? Stereo should play until the battery is really low. If it still cranks the boat, power isn't your issue. However, I would get a second battery just for the stereo- cheap insurance to me.

[TXHUNT3R]

Sounds like the head unit may be overheating. Does it cut out instantly or take a while? Stereo should play until the battery is really low. If it still cranks the boat, power isn't your issue. However, I would get a second battery just for the stereo- cheap insurance to me.

head unit turns off if I try to turn it up too loud. Say max is 20. I can run at 10, turn up to 15 and instant cut out.

[Kbeaz]

head unit turns off if I try to turn it up too loud. Say max is 20. I can run at 10, turn up to 15 and instant cut out.

Something is wrong with the head unit. I would get a second battery because you will forget and run your battery down

[TXHUNT3R]

Something is wrong with the head unit. I would get a second battery because you will forget and run your battery down

Cool, head unit sucks anyways compared to what is out there these days. Thanks

[TXHUNT3R]

TTT once more before I order this head unit.

[Texastaxi]

It sounds like the head unit isn't grounded well, to me.
Unless you're dead set on spending the money, I'd start there.

[texag93]

As stated, sounds like head unit. If the battery will crank the motor, it has more than enough power to run a stereo. You might want to look into a 2nd battery for stereo if you are running an amp and head unit. You may end up stuck on the water one day. I run head unit with 2 60W speakers all night off of my cranking battery and never had an issue with low battery. My system is all 12v and there are 4 batteries on the boat for troller and cranking. I keep a small set of jumper cables on board just in case I ever run the cranking battery down. Also have onboard charger and generator. Power is never an issue on my boat.

[TXHUNT3R]

Thanks for the feedback.

I do have two other batteries on board. One spare and another that powers the head lights for night navigation. I think I will order the new unit because this one is out dated anyways.

Thanks for the info on the Ground, I think I will re-wire the whole thing just to insure everything is correct.

Also, debating removing the amp and subs from the system completely. I really don't care all that much for the thumping anyways and I listen to almost nothing but country music where subs really don't do much to enhance it. IMO

[justindiehl7]

It prolly cuts off and restarts right back up doesn't it? Same problem on a buddies boat....

[TXHUNT3R]

It prolly cuts off and restarts right back up doesn't it? Same problem on a buddies boat....

Yes, exactly.

Was it the head unit?

[justindiehl7]

We never figured it out but we think it was the cable going from battery supply to the radio...

[TXHUNT3R]

Just wanted to update the thread. It WAS the head unit. Hooked up the head unit and was able to turn the speakers as loud as I wanted with no power cut out.

One final question. The Boss Marine Antenna I order is just like the picture below. That is all the hardware that come with it. Now I may be missing something here but how the heck do you mount the end of the wire to the base of the antenna itself. The back of the mounting connector is solid. It makes no sense to me

[TXHUNT3R]

ttt