Running speakers when engine is off

[Ctheodores]

I just bought a new AR240 (2020). Is there a way to keep the speakers on when the boat is off.

 

[Weeb]

I‘m not what your connext screen is on the newer AR on mine you just hold the soft key with the circle on it for a couple seconds and it kicks on

 

[Ctheodores]

Do both batteries have to be in the “on” position ?

 

[Ronnie]

I don’t have the same boat but would bet that you just need the house battery to power the stereo.

 

[Marvin willis]

I just leave one key in the one position. It’s using your house battery but I think you need both to be on to work

 

[F.M.]

On the older connext screens you just hold one of the 5 buttons below the screen down, when your key in the on position. When we drop anchor i just turn my engines off and the stereo stays on.

 

[Ctheodores]

Do the speakers draw a lot of the battery ? Will a few hours on the sandbar Playing music kill my battery ?

 

[Weeb]

You should be fine if you keep it plugged in to an on board battery charger when your not using it or run it long enough to charge the batteries afterwards.

 

[Dean P]

Do the speakers draw a lot of the battery ? Will a few hours on the sandbar Playing music kill my battery ?

All good advice here. But you should switch to number 2 battery if sitting and listening to music. The amount of time depends on your setup (number of speakers and amps) and how loud they're playing.
Number 1 battery is to start the boat (also called your start battery)
Number 2 battery is to keep the boat on to listen to music. This is called your house battery. This battery is also for reserve should your #1 need help to start.
You should invest in an on-board charger to keep them at full capacity. Check my sig for ideas. Good luck and have fun!!!

Oh, to the forum!!!

 

[jacoviii]

Also most dealers do not send you out the door with the best batteries. If you add or replace a battery remember they need to be of the same size and type. ( amp hr/ AMG or Lead acid)

 

[Ctheodores]

So stock batteries and 4 JL speakers wired to the stock radio?? Would that be sufficient to run for a few hours every now and then? Boat is at a high and dry so an on board battery charger wouldn’t be feasible. I guess I can take both batteries home every other weekend and hook them up to my battery tender.

 

[jacoviii]

solar charger

 

[tdonoughue]

I used to run that same setup (on an older boat). I floated for hours with the radio running and had no issues. Stock batteries lasted me 3 or 4 years, I think. Even added amps later and a sub. Still, plenty of juice.

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

I‘m still running the stock house Battery and I play music for 3-4 hours and yet to run it out of power.

 

[KC-AR240]

So stock batteries and 4 JL speakers wired to the stock radio?? Would that be sufficient to run for a few hours every now and then? Boat is at a high and dry so an on board battery charger wouldn’t be feasible. I guess I can take both batteries home every other weekend and hook them up to my battery tender.

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[KC-AR240]

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[jthackman]

I just bought a new AR240 (2020). Is there a way to keep the speakers on when the boat is off.

i struggled with this also, and i may be doing it wrong...but when i want to kill engines and keep music playing...i turn one engine off with the key, then turn that key back to 'on' position without starting it...then kill the other engine with the key and leave it 'off'. one key is 'on', one key is 'off' and the connext screen (and music) never turns off.

 

[djetok]

Different boat, but we have 2 amps , upgraded (6) polks and a sub. We float for 4 to 5 hours with only 1 battery for electronics and starting. We charge after every use , but just use a noco jump box if it were ever dead. That has never been needed though.

 

[Mredman86]

Do you guys turn off the start battery to be sure not to drain it? When I do it alarms every 5 min or so that the start battery has low volts. Well yes it does I have it turned off but it’s very annoying!

 

[StanM]

I leave both batteries on to avoid the annoying alarm. You can see the house battery drop in voltage over time. The starting battery stays at 12.8v. I ran our radio for about 4 hours anchored this weekend with no issues.