My boats kept on its trailer, with the battery switch in the off position. Every time we take it out, I have to reset the radio station presets. Is there anything I can do besides leaving the battery switch on to save the presets? I would do that but the CO detector drains the battery and starts beeping after a few days. It's a Clarion XMD3 radio w/ Sirius.

Four Winns typically (at least on both of my FWs) wire the yellow and red wires that are on the stereo harness together, and then to the battery bus.

The red wire is usually the + lead, and the yellow wire is the keep-alive memory power. Most aftermarket stereo systems amazingly generally use the same color code, but it doesn't hurt to check the stereo's owner's manual.

What you want to do is to disconnect the yellow wire, then wire it directly to the battery. But to meet USCG regulations, you have to fuse the yellow wire at the battery. A one-amp fuse should be sufficient. And maybe an in-line fuse holder such as this Ancor waterproof fuse holder:



You may also want to wire an on-off switch (maybe hidden), so that you can turn the memory off during the winter. Even though it does not take much juice, I always felt better having everything disconnected from the battery in the winter.



This is the switch I have on my current boat. Its a toggle switch, but cannot be flipped unless you pull up on the collar, which unlocks the toggle. This prevents accidentally turning the switch off.

Or, you could use the method I used to stop my chartplotter switching off when the engine was started; a seperate 12V battery as used in alarm backups with a diode. This could be connected to the memory terminal as well as a connection to that terminal from the boat battery..... that way the memory would be supplied when the battery switch is off, with no chance of the CO detector or anything else permanently attached to the main battery +ve draining the small battery, because of the diode. When the battery switch is on, both batteries would supply the memory circuit.

Come to think of it, I'll connect my stereo's memory terminal to the small battery I already have in place!

Graham

I connected mine directly to my second battery at the switch just for this reason. No need to install a toggle switch since I remove my batteries in the winter.

Now if you have only one battery I guess it should still be ok. As long as you take it out for a spin once in a while? Radio memory shouldn't take to much juice.

I'll have to look at my wiring diagrams for the boat to see where it is wired in at.

I have to pull the negative cable off the battery if I leave the boat in storage for more than about 4 weeks as those stereo presets and who knows what else drains the battery dead. The way mine's wired, the stereo presets will still drain the battery with a battery switch installed on the positive side becuase the stereo is wired separately through a fuse buy the battery box.

Or you could remove the fuse

Graham, I take it that the small battery charges from the main battery and/or alternator when the battery switch is on? Can you provide any detail on the small battery and diode?

JimR. I think this thread might help.

http://www.boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthre...html#Post424310

Yes, despite the voltage drop across the diodes, the small battery seems to charge OK. (the voltage at the dash is 14.2V when the engine is running according to the Garmin fishfinder, so the small battery it probably seeing about 13.6-13.7V, enough to charge it). I was going to use a single 6A rated diode (more than enough current capacity for what I needed) until I came across the four 1.5A diodes in my garage. The postage and packing, or the fuel to get to the nearest electronic store, to buy the 6A diode would have cost me more than the diode itself!

Somewhere like "Radio Shack" should have such things. The diodes and connection block are all fitted inside a junction box. The +ve outlet from the small battery is protected by it's own fuse before entering the junction box, in case something goes wrong.

Graham