• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Westminster Speed

Westminster Speed & Sound

(410) 857-5300 | CONTACT US | FINANCING AVAILABLE
  • Audio
    • Porsche Upgrades
    • BMW Upgrades
    • Car Audio
    • Digital Signal Processing
    • Marine Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Powersports Audio and Accessories
    • Satellite Radio
    • Car Audio Repair
  • Convenience
    • Bluetooth Technology
    • Navigation Systems
    • Radar Detectors
    • Rear Seat Video
    • Heated Seats
    • Remote Car Starters
      • Remote Car Starter Models
      • Remote Starter Estimate Request
    • Security Systems
    • Smartphone Integration
  • Accessories
    • 3M Ceramic Coating
    • Paint Protection Film
    • Lighting
    • Trailer Hitches
    • Truck Accessories
    • Truck Bed Covers
    • Truck Steps
  • Driver Safety
    • Backup Sensors
    • Backup Cameras
    • Blind Spot Systems
    • Collision Avoidance
    • Dash Cameras
  • Window Tint
    • Window Tint at WSS
  • About
    • About WSS
    • Why Choose WSS?
    • Customer Reviews
    • Directions
    • Meet The Team
    • Install Bay
    • Showroom
    • Demo Sound Room
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Client Vehicles
    • Videos
  • Facebook

Why Do Marine Audio Installations Take Longer?

October 11, 2020 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Marine Installation

Upgrading the stereo system on your boat with new speakers, high-power amplifiers and subwoofers is a great way to make a day on the water a lot more fun. Just be aware that the behind-the-scenes work involved in these installations can take more time and is a lot more complicated than the equivalent work on upgrading a car or truck. Let’s look at a few reasons why marine entertainment system upgrades cost a little more.

Marine-Grade Wiring Ensures Reliability

Depending on whether your boat is used in fresh- or saltwater, marine-grade wiring is either a good idea or an absolute necessity. High humidity levels associated with boats and personal watercraft can accelerate the corrosion process and cause electrical connections to amplifiers, batteries, speakers and source units to fail. Taking precautions like coating connections with dielectric silicone and adhesive-lined heat-shrink tubing can help a lot.

Marine Installation
The SEA4247 from Stinger includes 7 meters of Siamese 4-AWG power and ground cable that is compliant with UL1426 marine standards.

What works even better is for the installer to use dedicated marine-grade cables and wiring. Companies like JL Audio, T-Spec and Stinger offer power cable that includes tinning — a thin coating of tin — on top of each copper strand. This coating helps to prevent corrosion so your sound system will play reliably for years and years.

Marine Installation
JL Audio has a complete line of marine-grade interconnect cables and panel-mount auxiliary input jacks.

Running Wires Takes Time

If an installer has to run a power wire, speaker cable or interconnect to the trunk of a car or truck, they can typically lift the door sill trim panels, raise the carpet and lay the cables in place. Depending on the application, this can be much more difficult in a boat, especially a sailboat. Often, the factory wire harness on a boat runs through dedicated cable channels, but without access, so adding new wiring can be time-consuming. The process may involve removing storage cabinets or upholstery to execute correctly.

If you are planning to add speakers to a wakeboard tower, you’ll want the cables to run inside the tubes for a clean look. Once again, this process takes time. Holes have to be drilled, a wire fish run through the tubing, then the wires pulled afterward. Proper grommets on access holes are paramount to ensuring the system functions reliably. Since most people want to listen to their tower speakers at high volumes, the wire should be relatively large — 14 gauge as opposed to 16 or 18. This added bulk adds further complexity to the install time.

Marine Installation
Sound Depot and Performance in Gainesville upgraded the speakers in this Edgewater Center Console with JL Audio marine speakers.

Ignition-Protected Devices are Mandatory

If your battery bank or electronics share space with your engine or fuel cell, it is mandatory to use American Yacht and Boat Council (ABYC) E-11 or SAE J1171 Ignition-Protected devices. For example, circuit breakers, battery disconnects and any electronics must be designed in a way so they will not ignite a combustible air/fuel mixture. Stinger and T-Spec offer circuit breakers that are compliant. Several companies also offer source units and remote controls that feature Ignition-Protected designs. There have been many cases of explosions due to electronics igniting fuel vapors in the hull or engine compartment of a boat.

Marine Installation
The new Hertz HMD8DSP is an eight-channel amplifier with an integrated digital signal processor that includes configuration options specific to marine environments.

Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners and Water-Resistant Materials

In a car or truck, an installer can create an amp rack or subwoofer enclosure in the spare tire well or behind a seat out of plywood or MDF. The wet conditions of a boat will cause these woods to swell up, deform and fail. Materials like PVC or ABS plastic are commonly used for amplifier mounting panels. Speaker spacers are often cut out of acrylic plastic. Dedicated marine-grade materials like King StarBoard high-density polyethylene (HDPE) have built-in UV protection to ensure they won’t chalk, fade or turn yellow over time. These plastics cost significantly more than wood, adding to the cost of installation.

Marine Installation
Certified Autosound and Security in Maple Ridge created this custom plastic amp panel for a Malibu Wake Setter boat.

When it comes to mounting equipment, especially speakers that are directly exposed to water from splashes and rain, corrosion-resistant stainless-steel fasteners are a must. Again, these fasteners cost a little more than their black oxide or zinc-coated brethren. In the long run, preventing rust and streaks of brown running down your hull makes this upgrade a worthwhile investment.

Professional Marine Electronics Installation Ensures Reliability

Before you ask a friend who’s an electrician or a cousin who used to install car stereos in the ’90s to work on your boat, ensure they have the tools, training and materials to ensure the installation, integration and configuration will result in an audio system that’s enjoyable and reliable. In the same way you’d search for the best painter to create a family portrait, be sure to choose an expert to upgrade the electronics and entertainment systems on your boat.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Marine Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

OTHER RECENT POSTS

Product Spotlight Momento M7 Dash Camera

Product Spotlight: Momento M7 Dash Camera

Protecting yourself against fraud and false accusations while driving is easier when you have a … [Read More...]

A Look at How Car Audio Amplifier Designs Have Changed

A Look at How Car Audio Amplifier Designs Have Changed

Car audio amplifier designs have changed a great deal over the last few decades. Modern amplifiers … [Read More...]

Car Audio Myths You Cant Mix and Match Different Brands

Car Audio Myths: You Can’t Mix and Match Different Brands

There’s a strange car audio myth that claims you can’t mix different brands of source units, … [Read More...]

Do Car Audio Subwoofers Require Equalization for Smooth Response

Do Car Audio Subwoofers Require Equalization for Smooth Response?

Not long ago, we saw a post where someone asked whether they needed to dedicate a channel of their … [Read More...]

Lets Talk About Car Audio Speaker Wire Size Requirements

Let’s Talk About Car Audio Speaker Wire Size Requirements

Not too long ago, we stumbled across a discussion about the need for large-gauge car audio speaker … [Read More...]

Ultra Classic Speakers

Premium Amp and Speaker Upgrade for Stewartstown 2012 Ultra Classic

A client from Stewartstown recently contacted the motorcycle audio upgrade experts at Westminster … [Read More...]

Subscribe to Our Website via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search our site with any combination of CATEGORIES, TAGS, or KEYWORDS

  • Category

  • Tags

  • Sort Order

  • Keyword

  • » Reset

Contact Us

  • Hidden

Address

Westminster Speed and Sound
202 Pennsylvania Ave
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 857-5300

SundayClosed
Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SaturdayClosed

Location


Get Directions to Westminster Speed and Sound

Subscribe to Our Website via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Copyright © 2022 Westminster Speed and Sound · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 Media, inc. · Log in · !

 

Loading Comments...