Need some wiring help please

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=19261
Printed Date: July 13, 2025 at 8:58 PM

Topic: Need some wiring help please

Posted By: JeffReeder
Subject: Need some wiring help please
Date Posted: September 24, 2003 at 1:32 PM

I am in the process of installing a Clarion M3170(AM/FM tapeplayer ) radio in my fishing boat. The head unit has a standard wiring harness. I have located and identified the speaker leads within the harness. My problem lies in the power leads. I know the yellow goes to the +battery term. And black goes to -battery term. Now this leaves 2 more wires... One is red that is tagged 12volt accessory and the other wire is blue w/ a .5amp fuse. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Replies:

Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: September 24, 2003 at 1:42 PM

The red one goes to your ignition. That's the one that will not allow the headunit to turn on unless the key is in the ACC or On position. You can hardwire it straight to the battery if you want to listen to the radio w/o the key being in the ignition (make sure to fuse it though). The blue one sounds like a remote lead. You wont need it unless you are using external amps.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
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Posted By: JeffReeder
Date Posted: September 24, 2003 at 1:49 PM

Squirrel:

Thanks much for the help. What size fuse would you suggest for hard wiring the red wire? And BTW, I'm not going to use an external amp in the boat.

Thanks,

Jeff

Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: September 24, 2003 at 2:01 PM

Check your manual, it should have the specific size needed. I'm not the greatest at picking fuse sizes, but I'd say around a 5 - 15 amp inline fuse. Definately get someone else's opinion on that one though.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Posted By: JeffReeder
Date Posted: September 24, 2003 at 2:05 PM

I picked this head unit up at a garage sale for $2. That's the problem, NO manual. posted_image

Thanks for the advise though!

Jeff

Posted By: Fireman__1
Date Posted: September 24, 2003 at 4:38 PM

most radios commonly use a ten (10) amp fuse.

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Joshua Hickey