AM/FM/CD Wiring Harness

[ccriders]

I know I have seen this somewhere but searching did not reveal the answer. I'm installing a JVC KD-AHD59 AM/FM/CD stereo and since this is my first time to do this kind of installation I need help translating the automobile installation instructions into boat modified instructions.
The wiring harness has 13 wires. 8 are for speakers, pretty straight forward.
The remaing 5 are:
Black - Ground
Yellow - To live terminal in fuse block bypassing ignition switch (constant 12v)
Red - to an accessory terminal in the fuse block
Blue with white stripe - to remote lead of other equipment or automatic antenna.
Orange - To car light control switch.
The Black and Yellow are 16 ga. All others are 18 or 20 ga.
My plan is to connect the BLACK to the main negative bussbar, YELLOW to the main positive bussbar with a dedicated fused circuit breaker. I'm not interested at this time in using the FM channel presets so will leave the RED disconnected. Also I will not be using other equipment and wil leave the BLUE WITH WHITE STRIPE disconnected.
So, what do I do with the ORANGE? If I leave it disconnected will I have lights when I turn on the circuit and no lights when I turn off the circuit?
I will appreciate your help
John

[messer999]

Before making a big decision like that first set up a temporary test rig close to the busbars. Then try it without the orange wire connected and see if you can live with it. If it's too dark connect the orange wire and see if the results are worth a permanent connection. (Do not turn you stereo on w/o having speakers connected to it)

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that many stereos will not power up unless the RED and YELLOW wires are powered.

[ccriders]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I'd point out that many stereos will not power up unless the RED and YELLOW wires are powered.

Can the red and yellow be spliced together for a single run to the bussbar?
John

[sailingdog]

I would either leave them separate or join them but put in-line fuse holders to protect each wire as required by the unit.

Originally Posted by ccriders

Can the red and yellow be spliced together for a single run to the bussbar?
John

[noelex77]

Originally Posted by ccriders

So, what do I do with the ORANGE? If I leave it disconnected will I have lights when I turn on the circuit and no lights when I turn off the circuit?
I will appreciate your help
John

When you connect the orange wire to + 12v the display on the sterio will dim. It also reduces the power the player uses, if you can live with a slightly dimmer display it is worth connecting the orange for the reduced power consumption.
When the ignition wire is connected the sterio will also use a small amount of power even when off, . If you use the breaker on the pannel for other devices it sometimes worth wiring a seperate switch to avoid this power drain. The saving from dimming the display and disconecting the ignition wire vary between different units so it is worth measuring before deciding on the permant installation.

[negrini]

John, RED is the power to the unity, the YELLOW goes for constant 12V so you don't need to set everything else every time you go boating (clock, equalizaer sets, preset radio stations, etc). I tied both on my radio and pluged to 12V, and turn OFF from main 12V. I prefer the safety of disconnetion even if I need to set everything else. The ORANGE cable is for DIMMER, your radio panel will dimm the light intensity, so take your preference, either leave it to NEGATIVE or POSITIVE. And remember what they told you here, put a fuse at least on the POSITIVE cable (the closest possible to batteries).

[messer999]

Personally, I would just leave the Orange disconnected. It will be one less connection to troubleshoot in the future.

[ccriders]

Well, FWIW, The unit is installed. Ended up with both yellow and red leads combined at the positive bussbar on the same circuit breaker, fused at 5 amps which is 1/3 the fuse on the back of the unit. Everything works fine and every thing shuts off when I throw the circuit breaker, which is what I wanted.
Found a neat antenna at PEP Boys, designed for RVs and boats that is stuck to the side of hull on the inside just behind the unit. Very neat and clean.
Thanks for the responses. It is good to get help when you need it.
John