Amplifier on 232

[FF654]

Does anyone know how the stereo is wired on a 2005 232 BR?  I want to purchase some upgraded stereo equipment.  My specific questions are:

1)  There is a Planet Audio amplifier factory installed.  Is this amp a 2 channel or 4 channel amp and which speakers does it push?  

2)  What size power wire is factory ran to this amp?  Is is 4 gauge, 8 gauge, 10 gauge, etc.  Are there RCA cables ran?

3)  Is the head unit pushing the bow speakers only?

F.Y.I.  If it makes a difference, this boat has a 10" sub in the cooler area - I don't know if this was factory or not.  The sub is being pushed by a separate amplifier in the engine compartment.  

[RobyW1]

The planet audio amp is running the 2 speakers in the bow. that's it. it is a 2 channel amp. the other 4 speakers are run from the internal amp of the radio. I upgraded mine last year. see my facebook page for details. If you need any further advice let me know.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.225403387487531.72613.100000536146131&type=3

[FF654]

Thanks Roby.  I looked at your facebook page and yes, I have some questions.  I'll send you a pm after I think about it a little bit.

[siebt]

I have the same boat.

I upgraded my system, as well.

I installed a Sony head unit with a front USB port.  I put all my music on a jump drive so that I don't have to risk the Ipod.  It is an automotive unit, but I have not had an issue since the radio is protected in its factory location.  It also cost half of a marine unit, so I can replace it with a later model if needed and still come out ahead.

The nice thing about going with another Sony is that it is "plug and play".  The factory wiring harness plugged right in.  The factory had also prewired the boat with a plug under the dash and additional speaker wires for the cockpit speakers in the wire bundle going to the amp.

I left the Planet Audio VX602 (35 watt RMS per channel) 2 channel amp driving the bow speakers.  To keep the system balanced, I added a Planet Audio 4 channel (also 35 W RMS) amp to run the 4 cockpit speakers.  This required running an RCA cable from the head unit to the new amp.  Not difficult at all.

With the new head unit, I have the front bow speakers set-up on the "front" pre-outs and the (4) cockpit speakers set-up on the "rear" pre-outs.  That allows you to fade between front and rear if needed. 

I also installed an amp in the area under the trash can to run a bazooka sub (tube installed in the area under the small jump seat by the trash can).  This required running an RCA cable from the head unit to the amp.  The power and ground wires are then easy to install since you are already near the battery.

I believe I used two 10 ga. wires to power the amps.  Doesn't give you 5 ga equivalent, but does give you approx. 6 ga.    In my previous boat I went with true 4 ga. and did it all by the book.  The 10 ga is more than adequate.  Driving the  "small" amps I have had no issues at all.

System sounds great, but could probably use an upgrade to the factory Sony speakers.

[RobyW1]

When I set up my new system I made a mistake when I bought the Pyle 6 channel amp. I was under the impression that it could run 6 full level speakers. The reason why I was under that impression is because the instructions illustrated that as one of the options. As it turns out channels1-2, 3-4, run 4 normal speakers, and channels 5 & 6 were low level sub outputs. So you can see where I am going with this. I had also bought a seperate mono amp for the 12" sub.

What I have to do now is rework the system so that the sub will run off the 6 channel amps 5 & 6 channel bridged. Then sell my mono sub amp and get a full level 4 channel amp  to run the bow speakers and future transom speakers to be installed. (so you can hear a little better when sitting around in the water). Pyle Marine was absolutely no help in resolving an issue caused by their instructions.

[FF654]

When I set up my new system I made a mistake when I bought the Pyle 6 channel amp. I was under the impression that it could run 6 full level speakers. The reason why I was under that impression is because the instructions illustrated that as one of the options. As it turns out channels1-2, 3-4, run 4 normal speakers, and channels 5 & 6 were low level sub outputs. So you can see where I am going with this. I had also bought a seperate mono amp for the 12" sub.

What I have to do now is rework the system so that the sub will run off the 6 channel amps 5 & 6 channel bridged. Then sell my mono sub amp and get a full level 4 channel amp  to run the bow speakers and future transom speakers to be installed. (so you can hear a little better when sitting around in the water). Pyle Marine was absolutely no help in resolving an issue caused by their instructions.

Roby,

Instead of buying another amplifier I would run the amplifier in a two ohm load instead of 4 ohm.  You could run your two sets of cockpit speakers off of channel 1&2, your bow and transom speakers off of channel 3&4 and then run your subwoofer bridged off of channel 5 & 6.  I looked at the Pyle PLMRA620's manual and it states it will do 4 x 175 watts at 2 ohms.  It's unclear in the manual whether or not you can bridge channel 5 &6.  Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know.