Speaker wire distribution block [audio question]
 

Hey Guys

I have most of the parts and pieces ready to redo the stereo in my boat, I was wondering what you guys have used for "distribution blocks" for the speaker wires? I will have about 16 wires going into 1 amp and 10-12 wires going to 2 other amps, is there a distribution block or something similiar I can use to run the wires to before the amp? Or is it easier to just run all the wires to the amp itself?

Thanks for the input!
Michael

Michael,

Got your PM but will answer here

When ever I have to put that many wires to an amp I always used a terminal block. Basically just a block with a row of screw terminals, like you see in a dash for the grounds on older boats.

Try to find the ones that are all connected, otherwise you have to make small little jumpers from terminal to terminal.

Anyway one block for positive one for negative. Use a larger 8ga wire from amp to terminal block. Then smaller from there.

You might be able to find them at Lowes or Home Depot otherwise you can get them at www.Partsexpress.com

So what all did you get? Have you done a wire diagram yet?

Why not just wire the speakers together before they get to the amp???? You can just wire them directly to each other.
It does the same thing as running 2 wires to each + and - for each channel.

How many speakers are going to one amp exactly, how many channels on each amp, what ohm load are you looking to accomplish? There are many ways to go about this but we need more info.

Jon

Don't you have to take in account the ohm load when you hook all the speakers together? Wire some in parallel, some in series?

Hey Guys!

I have seen the distribution blocks, but, most of the ones I have seen where "isolated", so, I will have to look around for one that is set up with all the terminals connected

My set up [so far] is as follows

4- ten inch polk audio dual voice coil subwoofers, wired for a 4 ohm load, powered by a single Alpine PDX 1.1000 amp

4- sets of Polk audio 6.5" components [seperate woofer and tweeter] powered by a single Alpine PDX 4.150 amp wired for 4 ohm

2- sets of 8" mid bass drivers powered by a single Alpine PDX 4.100 at 4 ohm load.

So, unless I wire all the speakers together as Griff suggested, I will have 8 wires going to the subwoofer amp. 16 wires going to the component amp. and 8 wires going to the mid bass amp.

The subs and mid bass speakers are mounted low in the boat, the components and tweeters are going to be mounted high on the gunnels. I currently have 2 Optima red tops for starting, and 2 blue tops to run the battery, and I ordered a 200 Amp marine Alternator [3 wire] to replace the rebuilt stock [4 wire] Mando unit the boat currently has.

Any Thoughts?
Michael

If you wire this correctly, you will have 2 wires going to the sub amp...16 wires going to the 6.5 comp amp which has 8 terminals so 2 wires per terminal.....and 8 wires going to the mid bass amp which has 8 terminals.....I don't see a need for you to use dist blocks for the speakers.

If there's a Radio Shack near you they sell the distribution blocks in various sizes and the term. to term. connectors your looking for.

Be sure you also upgrade the alt wiring so the existing wiring doesn't glow in the dark.

So you have 2 amps for all those speaker? You will under power all that with just 2 amps, unless I read that wrong.

I have gone to a 1 gauge wire for both the ground and the main feed wire, but, thanks for the tip, would have been a good bonfire if I hadn't.

I am using 3 amps total

1-1000 watt amp for subs
1- 600 watt amp for the components
1- 400 watt for the 2 pairs of 8" mids

I am also using 2 batteries for starting, and 2 for the stereo. I have an onboard charger that I leave plugged in when the boat is at the dock, or on the trailer.

Pt 2:

Does anyone know if you can use the regular black "puck" style Sirius antenna in a boat? I have a spare "car kit" for my Sirius radio, but, have seen most people using the "white" marine style antenna. I figure if the regular one is able to stand up to highway speeds, rain, snow, cold and car washes, it should be ok in a boat? Any thoughts?

Thanks guys!
Michael

How are you getting or think you are getting a 4ohm load from these???

Looks like a 2ohm load on the pdx 4.150 and maybe even 1 ohm on the PDX 1.1000 depending on how they are wired.

Tried one with mine did not work at all.

I'm using the regular car puck style Sirius antenna on mine. No issues in 4 seasons.

Sure can. Thats what I use. I also use an automotive style GPS antenna as well. Both are MUCH smaller than their marine counterpart and much less obvious.

Wouldn't a 4.100 amp be 25 watts to each channel and the 4.150 be 37.5 watts per channel? If so way under powered. Most amps I have seem are 4.400 which would be 100 watts per channel. Maybe I'm just not understanding something here

answer
 

BUY ADDITIONAL AMP PROBLEM SOLVED I MEAN SERIOUSLY, WOULDNT THAT MAKE THE MOST SENSE ALL KIDDING ASIDE, JESUS WHAT YOU GOT A HOUSE BOAT.

An Alpine 4.100 is 4 x 100 watts RMS and they are actually more like 110-115 watts x 4.
A 4.150 is usually about 165-170 watts RMS x 4