JBL MR17 head unit wiring to Clarion XC1410 amp question

[GTBRMC]

I will be installing a new Clarion XC1410 4 x 50 watt RMS class D compact amp between my OEM JBL MR17 head unit and my four newly installed Polk db651 speakers in the bathtub. I intend to use the OEM speaker wires, at least for now.

The line-in (RCA cables) and power/ground connections look straightforward. The speaker wire connections look more challenging.

I suppose I could cut the wires outbound from the head unit and splice each (and also the blue "power-on" wire), but I thought I should ask the group here if there is a way to connect the two different wiring harness modular connectors (out from the amp to the outbound speaker wires). See pix.

Any easy way to do this? Remember I have to do all this reaching through that narrow door into the helm compartment.

Note blue & white modular connector to right of my hand goes to outbound speaker wires:



Note that wires on left of the Clarion amp are power/ground and speaker + blue outbound, wires on right are RCA line in (I will use) and speaker line in (I will not use):

 

[OrangeTJ]

I'm willing to bet the speaker out wires on the amp are color coded the same as those on the head unit. Just cut them a length away from the head unit that makes them easiest to work with and splice them to the corresponding wires coming out of the amp. I'd suggest giving yourself as much length to work with as possible.

 

[Julian]

When I did this, my amp was by the battery, so I cut the wires behind my head unit before the connector, then undid the connector and, outside of the boat, wired all the speaker lines to the connector, then just had to plug the connector in once in the boat. (was also hot as hell, so I did most of the wiring indoors in AC!)

 

[GTBRMC]

When I did this, my amp was by the battery, so I cut the wires behind my head unit before the connector, then undid the connector and, outside of the boat, wired all the speaker lines to the connector, then just had to plug the connector in once in the boat. (was also hot as hell, so I did most of the wiring indoors in AC!)

That is a great idea! Thanks.

PS: I sure wish Yamaha would find a way to widen that helm door by just a few inches

 

[GTBRMC]

Spent about 2.5 hours lying twisted on one hip with one or both shoulders stretched into the helm compartment today. While the 46 degree weather didn't help, that $&@/%## narrow door to the helm compartment made it truly a miserable task. All wires spliced, terminated, etc. Mounting location and method selected. All ready to power up for a test.

But I stopped. My fingers were numb and my back, left ribcage, and right shoulder were howling in protest. Will try to sneak home early from work and finish this week.

Hey, Yamaha! Make the helm door bigger!

PS: I can say without reservation that I am not a natural born left-handed butt splice crimper!

 

[GTBRMC]

Completed this much-interrupted mod this evening. Other than the way-too-small helm compartment door causing problems at every turn, this was really quite straightforward.

Sound test = victory! Assuming no reliability issues, I am 100% satisfied with this upgrade.

 

[jlcj7]

this is a stupid question, but i have never installed am amp before...

When you connect the RCA cables from the head unit into the amp (into the RCA Input) you then dont use the speaker input into the amp. I would take the speaker output wires from the amp and wire them (splice into current OEM wires) directly to the speakers...(as well as power wires, etc...)

If i do this, do i then disconnect the speaker wire coming out of the head unit that run currently to the speakers since i am using the RCA cables or do you leave everything connected as is...

I was a little confused because i know the other option if not using the RCA inputs are to spice the wires coming out of the head unit into the amp and then output to speakers... im sure this is a very dumb question, but want to ask anyway...

 

[RiverRat]

@jlcj7 you are correct.

 

[jlcj7]

Got my Clarion XC1410 on order now as well... (already have the polk speakers)...looking forward to seeing the difference in sound

 

[cozilla]

Nice @jlcj7. If you need help let me know I am close. I pulled my radio out of the dash and then cut the wires from the connector and butt crimped longer wire on to extend to the OEM wires to reach the amp. This allowed me to do most of the crimping outside of the helm compartment. I am 6'7 so I dont fit in very well haha. I also made sure I had enough slack in the wire so that I could do all my connections to the amp outside of the compartment as well as tune.

 

[jlcj7]

Perfect!
I may have to take you up on your offer if i have any issues. I am going to wait until warmer weather to do it, but i may reach out if i have any questions during the process...

 

[GTBRMC]

Nice @jlcj7. If you need help let me know I am close. I pulled my radio out of the dash and then cut the wires from the connector and butt crimped longer wire on to extend to the OEM wires to reach the amp. This allowed me to do most of the crimping outside of the helm compartment. I am 6'7 so I dont fit in very well haha. I also made sure I had enough slack in the wire so that I could do all my connections to the amp outside of the compartment as well as tune.

Absolutely the way to go. Trust me...

... (I didn't do this out of bullheadedness and wish I had)

 

[jlcj7]

2 Questions:
1) Does anyone have any pics of their amp installed? Trying to figure out best/easiest location to mount... (tentatively thinking about mounting (kind of) behind the front right seat backrest and screwing into the fiberglass)
2) Assuming the amp is closer to the headunit (on the drivers side) how did you run your power/ground wires? (i.e. forward around both front seats and back to battery, backwards through engine bay to battery, or under the floor, over the gas tank to battery?)

I am all about simplicity and looking to the easiest route, so hoping to learn from what others did (or wish they did)

Thanks

 

[cozilla]

I mounted my amp on a cutting board in the helm compartment using the existing through bolts of the bow front seat back rest. I ran my power and ground down the starboard side into the engine compartment then into the rear port storage area where my batteries are. Most with the 230s go under the floor and over the gas tank but I kept breaking bits trying to get the tank cover off so said F it and moved on.

 

[jlcj7]

Perfect, it seems like it would be easier to go back through the engine compartment with the wires... i have read it can be a PITA to get the bolts out of the floor. Thanks

 

[jlcj7]

I mounted my amp on a cutting board in the helm compartment using the existing through bolts of the bow front seat back rest. I ran my power and ground down the starboard side into the engine compartment then into the rear port storage area where my batteries are. Most with the 230s go under the floor and over the gas tank but I kept breaking bits trying to get the tank cover off so said F it and moved on.

What size fuse did you install on the 10 gauge power wire?

 

[cozilla]

What size fuse did you install on the 10 gauge power wire?

Looks like it already has an inline 25 amp fuse attached to the power wire.

 

[GTBRMC]

Looks like it already has an inline 25 amp fuse attached to the power wire.

It does, but you really want to have a fuse very close to the battery, also.