Aftermarket Stereo w/ Connext

Jon Burns · Dec 10, 2018

Its seems like the stock Polk stereo on my 2015 SX240 is fried. It keeps blowing a fuse when I try to turn it on and the swim deck remote won't turn on. Is there a way/cable to run an aftermarket stereo through Connext or does everyone just install remotes and not use Connext for audio? I'm currently getting an audio com error, would this continue with aftermarket stereo?

swatski · Dec 11, 2018

No idea... But, @tek4fun would know - if can chime in.

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tek4fun · Dec 11, 2018

It sounds like there is some internal damage to the Polk radio. The commands that the Connext system sends to the radio to control it are proprietary, so a different brand of radio would not work as a replacement connected to the Connext system. The audio comm error/warning will always be there, since the Connext system does not get any return communication from the radio when it is not working. This would also be true , if the radio is switched out for something different. I know this is not what you want to hear. I wish I had better news for you.

Jon Burns · Dec 11, 2018

Thanks for the reply. So most people just keep the Polk radio even when upgrading/adding speakers and amps I'm guessing. Now would I need to buy the stock model Polk or can I upgrade the radio but keep it in the Polk family?

Julian · Dec 11, 2018

Jon Burns said:
Its seems like the stock Polk stereo on my 2015 SX240 is fried. It keeps blowing a fuse when I try to turn it on and the swim deck remote won't turn on. Is there a way/cable to run an aftermarket stereo through Connext or does everyone just install remotes and not use Connext for audio? I'm currently getting an audio com error, would this continue with aftermarket stereo?

The swim deck control is the master, so if it doesn't turn on, that would likely prevent the entire unit from working. I think that unit is too low and close to the water (especially if you are a salt water boater). We've had lots of compliant about the knobs rusting off. If your dealer is no use, I'd try calling Polk and seeing if it is under warranty?

tek4fun · Dec 12, 2018

Julian brings up a very good point. It could be as simple as getting the swim deck control unit replaced.

If you did have to go to a new unit and wanted to get a different model, more than likely all of the Polk units would use the same CAN/NMEA2000 messages for control. Meaning it could connect to the Connext display and you would be able to control it. To make your life easier, I would try to make sure that any replacement unit used the same connectors to hook it up to the boat. This would avoid a lot of rewiring and/or making harness adapters.

Jon Burns · Dec 12, 2018

I may just end up buying another unit. I would not want the com alarm all the time. Interesting though I found the PA4A (pretty sure it's the stock unit) from Polk for $280 on Amazon and $525 from their website. Am I missing something?

https://www.polkmarine.com/polk-ultramarine-wb-usb-siriusxm-ready-ipod-iphone-ready-bluetooth-with-app-control.html

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-PA4A-SiriusXM-Bluetooth-Control/dp/B014UMKPQM

Mainah · Dec 12, 2018

The swim deck remote is the main hardware user interface that sends the signals to the blackbox behind the helm telling it what to do. The real workings are in the black box behind the helm. Unplugging the swim deck remote may work to resolve the issues as it has for others and just use the connext screen. I peronally purchased the other remote someone on here located and will be installing that sometime this off season and relocating the swim deck remote to the co-captain area somewhere. I am going to make my own trim ring out of aluminum for the smaller swim deck remote which does appear to be more water resistant.

ASA electronics brands such as Jensen and Polk use JDAB (Jensen Digital Audio Bus) for their canbus communication which is not compatible with N2K unless someone were to build and program a bridge for it. The reason Connext can communicate with it is that there is hardware in the connext screen that receives and tranmits the JDAB signals as well as software to translate the signals for the Connext UI. If someone ever get their hands on the native JDAB protocols and defines I would be happy to build and program an open source bridge from arduino hardware so that we could use N2k canbus headunits in our Connext 1.0 boats provided that does not run afoul of any laws given that JDAB is proprietary.

Molemansd · Monday at 1:50 AM

tek4fun said:
It sounds like there is some internal damage to the Polk radio. The commands that the Connext system sends to the radio to control it are proprietary, so a different brand of radio would not work as a replacement connected to the Connext system. The audio comm error/warning will always be there, since the Connext system does not get any return communication from the radio when it is not working. This would also be true , if the radio is switched out for something different. I know this is not what you want to hear. I wish I had better news for you.

Does the Connext talk to the head unit with the NMEA 2000 or USB cable? I just upgraded from a fusion RA70NSX to an RA 770. I can’t get the Connext to control the head unit.

Molemansd · Monday at 10:23 AM

Mainah said:
The swim deck remote is the main hardware user interface that sends the signals to the blackbox behind the helm telling it what to do. The real workings are in the black box behind the helm. Unplugging the swim deck remote may work to resolve the issues as it has for others and just use the connext screen. I peronally purchased the other remote someone on here located and will be installing that sometime this off season and relocating the swim deck remote to the co-captain area somewhere. I am going to make my own trim ring out of aluminum for the smaller swim deck remote which does appear to be more water resistant.

ASA electronics brands such as Jensen and Polk use JDAB (Jensen Digital Audio Bus) for their canbus communication which is not compatible with N2K unless someone were to build and program a bridge for it. The reason Connext can communicate with it is that there is hardware in the connext screen that receives and tranmits the JDAB signals as well as software to translate the signals for the Connext UI. If someone ever get their hands on the native JDAB protocols and defines I would be happy to build and program an open source bridge from arduino hardware so that we could use N2k canbus headunits in our Connext 1.0 boats provided that does not run afoul of any laws given that JDAB is proprietary.

Did you ever build anything like this so the RA770 will work?

Aftermarket Stereo w/ Connext

Jon Burns

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