Speaker Wire

[sclark57]

Installing new speakers from a small 240 W amp. What gauge speaker wire do I use? 16-2, 14-2, or 12,2. Course they need to be tinned and maybe shielded. Thanks

[yellowk9]

My new Kicker speakers came with 30 feet of wiring per pair. I'm not sure what the gauge was but it appeared pretty large compared to the stock wiring on my boat. It was also tinned. My old wiring appeared to be standard 16 gauge speaker wire. Since you're coming off an amp I'd say bigger is better. Note: I'm no electronics or stereo expert, as I'm sure you can tell I'm sure someone on here can give you the answer you're looking for.

[kryptonite]

How far are you running the wire?

If it's a short run you can get by with 14 gauge.

Anything over 10' or so I would go with the 12 gauge maybe.

[GregF]

How many watts RMS (not that phony "peak" thing)?

You definitely want tinned wire. It holds up better in marine use.

[sclark57]

The runs are not that long maybe 10 feet max 15 feet. I want to be careful of the size because of the resistance and I just want to make sure I can get the best that I can as there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference in price. The RMS would be in the 20-60 range. Always a difficult number to pin down from the specifications. Thanks

[GregF]

Wire is cheap (or should be) You can go as big as you thing sounds better. Just use tinned and fine stranded wire. This is a compromise in a boat. You highs come through thin wires better that fat ones but it will corrode away faster if it gets wet/damp.

[BassFrequency]

bigger da better. but #12 or #14 should be ideal

[cbavier]

sclark57 How do you plan to run your wires? On top of the carpet and down the sides?

[sclark57]

I was going to make the runs under the deck where everything else is run. That a problem? I really couldn't find tinned stranded speaker wire but I have found tinned marine primary wire that is a stranded duplex wire. Am I on the right track? Big difference in price between the marine primary wire and marine speaker wire. Thanks

[cbavier]

I was just wondering. I have to do the same thing this Spring. A complete new install and I didn't want to drill holes in my deck so I was wondering how you planned to run yours. Here is where you can order the 18 Guage Tinned Speaker Wire.

http://search.overtons.com/?D=Speaker+W ... eaker+Wire

I got a new Radio with Four Speakers for Christmas. I really plan to re-carpet my Toon and don't want to drill holes so I figured a temporary on top the old carpet this year and under the carpet when I replace the carpet. I just had Major back surgery and I don't know if I'll be able to put new carpet on this year.

This is the Radio set up I got for Christmas. http://search.overtons.com/?D=AM+FM+RAD ... M+FM+RADIO
Pyle® PLMR105 Marine CD

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24589494@N ... 681085300/


Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:14 pm
Posts: 334
Location: Roscommon, Michigan
We just bought our Pontoon the middle of July last year. So I have a lot to do and probably won't get everything done this year but here goes with What I plan to do and what I would like to do.

First what I plan to do. These are all first time installs. There are no holes or nothing to start with. Furniture is fairly new so.

1- Install a Eagle Fishfinder from my Four Winns. The Four Winns will still have a Hummingbird left on the dash.
2- Install a Radio and Four Speakers. Where do you run the wires? Under the carpet or down the side by the rails?
3- Install a Cigarette Lighter w/ Map light. There are no Helm gauges or lights so you can't see to start or shift at night.
4- Install a dome light in the Bimini top. Thinking inside RV type. I already have a single fixture.
5- Install a Horn. Debating between a Walmart canister type or permanent?
6- Clean pontoons. I don't want them to shine/look like new but get the grime and slime off them. If they shine it will make the rest of the trim look bad. Plus fish don't like
shiny things unless it's minnows or artificial bait. Ha! Ha!
7- Repair or replace alternator on the Johnson 50 HP. It's not working. Will check to see if it's putting out anything first then check the wiring if it is working.
8- Figure out a way to secure 13 Life Jackets up in the Bimini Top like they store them on commercial boats. Right now they fill my storage compartments too much. Probably
some kind of velcrose?



Second what I need/would like to do.
1. Extend front deck about 23 inches to front of pontoons.
2. Install all New Carpet.
3- Install an Extra Battery and a selector switch. I think it's called a Pergo Switch.
4- Put two floor flanges and add two fishing chairs on front deck.

Right now. We still have a foot of snow on the ground and it was -3 dg here this morning. Spring is a ways off yet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24589494@N00/

[yellowk9]

I've never heard of running wires over or under the carpet. All of the wiring, steering cables, etc., on my boat run out one hole under the helm then run along the pontoon. They split off where needed and run across the bottom of the floor and up holes under each seat to the speakers. Is there some reason you can't follow the same wire routing as your main power supply, navigation lights, etc?

[cbavier]

I don't know where you are. My pontoon is covered right now. I'm in Northern Michigan. 100 Miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge. We have a foot or more of snow on the ground still. Two feet in some areas. I know where the wires run for the Ignition and throttle cable and steering cable runs. I was just trying to keep from drilling any more holes in the decking. I may have to..... but that is why I asked the question. Holes in wood and wet cause rot. Less holes would mean less chance for a rotten decking. ??? Maybe I'm just paranoid but I don't want to be replacing the decking in five years because I drilled a bunch of holes in it that wasn't necessary. My thought was to run them across in an inconspicuous and low traffic area. Tape them down with Masking Tape and put the new carpet over the top. There would only be two wires to run across for the two speakers.

[yellowk9]

To install four speakers you're looking at four 1/4 inch holes drilled under the seats (assuming you plan to install speakers in the seats). I doubt that will significantly reduce the life of your deck. I guess you could seal the hell out of the holes after you run the wires if it makes you feel better, but I think you may be worrying a little too much . Perhaps someone else will correct me if I'm wrong.

[cbavier]

yellowk9
Yea I will install the speakers in the seats. I was thinking if I drilled to silicone the holes. I figured I was probably being paranoid. Drilling four holes would sure make it a lot simpler. One thing I didn't tell you is that my running lights are all on the Bimini top which I wondered if they really were legal by today's standard. BUT since the boat is a 1982 and that is where the lights always were. That has never been called into question. The top is ten ft long and the deck is only 18ft. I'm thinking, especially if I extend the deck, in the front is, to put front corner lights on it. I would like to extend the deck to make the boat easier to board from shore and also I would like to put two fishing seats on the front corners. I could put seats on it now but they would be close since there is only about 28 inches out front of the fence now. I think a front deck extension would require I have two brackets welded on each tube in the front to support the new floor addition.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/24589494@N ... 681085300/

[GregF]

All the wires under my boat are run in PVC conduit. They hold up a lot better that way. I also sleeved my steering cable with ENT (smurf tube). They used to go bad every 5 years or so. This one is 10 and going.