DIY Network

Speaker Wire From "Shipshape Boating" episode DSSB-212

Host John Greviskis reveals just how simple installing a marine stereo can be.

Speaker wire is important in making your marine stereo work to it's fullest potential. Host John Greviskis offers the right information for installing speaker wire.

Materials:

Razor knife
18-gauge copper tinned wire
Wire strippers
Spade connectors
Crimping tool
Heat shrinking tubing
Heat gun
Side cutters
Butt connector
Nylon tie straps
Screwdriver

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Tip: use a good grade of 18-gauge copper tinned wire.




1. Split the wire about five inches down the middle with a sharp razor knife.

   
   

2. Use wire strippers to peel about 3/8 inch of insulation from the end of the wire.

   
   

3. Twist the strands together tightly.

   
   Tip: don't use solid wire for a marine stereo installation. It may break due to excessive pounding.

   
   

4. Add spade connectors to the ends of the wire on the speaker side of the connection.

   
   

5. Crimp the connectors onto the wire using a crimping tool (figure A).

   
   

6. Cut a short length of marine grade heat shrinking tubing, and then place over the connection.

   
   

7. Seal the tubing so that it's water and air tight, by using a butane torch or a heat gun.

   
   

8. Attach the speaker wire into the male ends of the spade connectors (figure B).

   
   

9. Feed the wire through the opening, and then run it up to the stereo.

   
   

10. Cut the wire using a pair of side cutters.

    
    

11. Split the wire again, and the remove about 3/8" of wire insulation.

    
    

12. Crimp a butt connector onto the wire, and then crimp another connector onto the stereo speaker wire.

    
    

13. Apply marine grade silicone to the mounting hardware for the speaker.

    
    

14. Install the speaker, and then tighten up the hardware with a screwdriver (figure C).

    
    

15. Use nylon tie straps to hold the speaker wires in place along the fiberglass of the boat.