Topic: Marine Radio

[jwalls4x4]

Last time I went wheeling I got caught in a storm and fried my radio   Will a marine/boat radio work as an replacement?  It currently has a cheap aftermarket CD player.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[TrailsLessTaken]

It should work, I was just flipping through Alpines new catalog for this year and they have a whole new line of waterproof amps, head units speakers and subs.  I got rid of the head unit and just hooked a 600w 2 channel amp up to my 4 speakers then used a rca to headphone cable hooked to my ipod.  I can control the volume and everything from the ipod and the I welded 4 bolts to the floor put the amp on those and then just put a weld on the nuts so you cant take them off, and when you get out just take your Ipod with you and theres nothing to steal

[oldjeep]

Marine radio is the same hookup as a car radio, so it'll be no problem.  Just be aware that only the faces are water resistant - if you get water back behind the dash they will fry out just as quick as a car radio.

[jfrabat]

Marine radio is the same hookup as a car radio, so it'll be no problem.  Just be aware that only the faces are water resistant - if you get water back behind the dash they will fry out just as quick as a car radio.

This is true (keep in mind I work for Audio Marketing for Sony, so although I am sure on our products, I cannot vouch for other brands).  They also include a plastic on the top of the rear to protect agains ocassional and small splashes, but if water gets behind the dash, you have the same problem as a regular car radio...

[chardrc]

vus being why i bought the cheapest radio at best buy rather than a marine radio... my water has a history of being through the dash... but any waterproofing is better than none..

[Jesse-James]

Just be aware that only the faces are water resistant - if you get water back behind the dash they will fry out just as quick as a car radio.

That's not entirely true. They also coat the boards so they can handle quite a bit more moisture and they paint the steel framing for rust protection, but like anything else don't pour water directly on it to be safe.

[oldjeep]

That's not entirely true. They also coat the boards so they can handle quite a bit more moisture and they paint the steel framing for rust protection, but like anything else don't pour water directly on it to be safe.

It's possible that the board coating is correct, but I can tell you that the radios in both my boats have an unpainted shell and look in every way like a standard car stereo with a weather resistant face plate.

If you really want to keep it dry, I'd consider something like a Tuffy stereo console which is completely sealed.

[jfrabat]

That's not entirely true. They also coat the boards so they can handle quite a bit more moisture and they paint the steel framing for rust protection, but like anything else don't pour water directly on it to be safe.

They are moisture resistant, but not water proof...  At least Sony's.  They will handle rust from moisture better than any car radio, but dont let water get directly to the board or you will be looking at some white smoke coming through the dash.  Like I said before, they do have some protection against an ocassional drop or two, but it is not designed to have rain fall directly on the back of the radio (which is ussually the main problem in a Jeep; at least in my YJ, the face is more protected than the rear).

[Mozman68]

Now, I haven't been on a ton of boats in my life, but the ones I have been on also don't have 10 vents around the "dash" area that would even allow water to get in...the radio is usually fairly well sealed as it is.

I've been looking at retractable screen stereos so I can had GPS/rear camera functions....I really like this one as it uses the standard Garmin software.

Crutchfield has it as a package with the GPS module for $999.



Kenwood KVT-512 unit with the KNA-G510 nav.

I'd also have to buy a rear mount camera.


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[oldjeep]

Now, I haven't been on a ton of boats in my life, but the ones I have been on also don't have 10 vents around the "dash" area that would even allow water to get in...the radio is usually fairly well sealed as it is.

I've been looking at retractable screen stereos so I can had GPS/rear camera functions....I really like this one as it uses the standard Garmin software.

Crutchfield has it as a package with the GPS module for $999.

Step away from the checkbook   That jeep is going to weigh 6000lbs before too long.

[Jesse-James]

It probably already does.

[jfrabat]

THe more electronics you put in, the more things you have to worry about failing...  At least that's my experience!

[Jeffy]

I'd be worred about the screen breaking or at least wearing out as it has to hold the screen upright while the jeep is rocking and rolling.

[jfrabat]

I'd also worry if you can actually see the screen on a sunny day with the top off...  Some of those LCD are not bright enough to watch in direct sunlight.

[TrailsLessTaken]

The screen should be fine, I use to have one in my Jeep years ago when I was in high school, I never had a problem with mine, I had it for 6 years and just sold it recently.  The only downside is the internal amps in them sound like crap because they have to condense everything  to make room for the screen to fold in and the cd player.