Marinization Techniques and Installation Tips

What makes a stereo, CD player, or speaker marinized? The common misconception is that white housing equals a marinized unit. This is false, especially when it comes to speakers and head units. Truly marinized stereos and speakers have protective components that help them withstand elements like water, humidity, ultraviolet rays, and salt corrosion.

Marinized Stereos

There are several steps needed in order for a stereo to be ready for use in a marine environment:

• The circuit boards must be dipped in silicone or coated with a plastic (CRC) or conformal coating (3M) to prevent corrosion.
• Power supplies should be stable enough to withstand the fluctuating currents that commonly occur in boats. The unit should be able to remain stable at voltages as low as 11 and as high as 16.
• Moisture and salt air can seep into the holes on the top of the radio and can corrode your system, so an additional plastic cover on the outside of the unit is a recommended.

Additional marinizing techniques include:

• A plastic cover on the circuit board itself.
• Galvanized or specially plated chassis to ward off corrosion.

Marinized Speakers

A marinized speaker should include the following specifications:

• There should be no visible metal on the front or back of the speaker, except for the treated jumpers that extend from the cone to the terminals.
• The cone should be constructed of a waterproof material.
• The speaker basket and grille should be made of a noncorrosive material such as ABS plastic.
• All connecting hardware should be stainless steel.

Weather Damage

Marine electronics manufacturers say that the most common complaint they receive is that their unit suffered from water damage. However, in just about every case, manufacturers say, the damage could be avoided. To ensure that your unit doesn't fall into this trap keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Install the unit in an area where it is least likely to get wet, from above as well as from the front.
• Covers are a great preventative maintenance device and should be on every radio.
• There should also be a gasket between the cover and the dash to prevent leaks.
• Larger boats that have a salon or cuddy cabin should use a hard-wired remote.
• Many gauges and other instruments don't have gaskets and often leak. Chassis covers can prevent this.

Shock and Vibration Damage

Most marine stereos take quite a beating compared to car stereos and are fortified to handle pounding on rough water and vibration from the engine with special housings.

Stereo Installation

Marine stereos are installed just like car stereos. They are available in two basic chassis styles: shaft or DIN mount. Shaft is a stereo style with two knobs that generally are a part of the application. DIN style stereos usually are without any shafts and are generally mounted from the front into a mounting sleeve.

Many stereos are can be installed in a variety of ways, either flush mount, overhead mount, or upright mount. Special gimbal style housings are also available to help you mount your stereo in a protected place away from spray or rain. These housings make installation easier as well.