Fusion Apollo™ MS-RA800 Installation Instructions

Port Identification

Diagram showing the rear ports of the stereo with labels 1, 2, and 3.

1. ANTENNA 1
2. NMEA 2000
3. NETWORK
4. USB
5. HDMI
6. FUSE
7. Power and Speaker Wiring Harness
8. Auxiliary Input 2 and Zone 3/4 Outputs
9. Auxiliary Input 1 and Zone 1/2 Outputs

Item Descriptions

Yellow Wire

• This wire supplies power to the stereo.
• This wire must be connected using a 25 A circuit breaker if one is available on the vessel.

WARNING

If there is no 25 A circuit breaker on the vessel, you must connect this wire to power via a 25 A fuse (not included). Connecting this wire to power without a circuit breaker or fuse can lead to a short circuit in the wire, which can lead to overheating and fire.

• This wire continuously powers the stereo system and drains the battery even when the stereo system is not in use. You should install a manual switch on this wire if a 25 A circuit breaker is not available on the vessel or if you cannot turn off power to the stereo with the switch when storing the vessel.
• When extending this wire, the cable size depends on the length of the extension and the power source (Power Cable Sizing Guide, page 9).

Red Wire

• This wire can be connected to the same power source as the yellow wire via the ignition or via a manual switch. This means the stereo system will turn on and off automatically when you start or turn off the boat, and when you activate the switch.
• When using this wire to turn the stereo system on and off, it functions the same way as using the power button on the stereo to turn it on and off. It is not necessary to connect this wire via the ignition or manual switch if you plan to turn the power on and off using the stereo's power button or a connected chartplotter or remote control; it can instead be connected to the yellow wire. This wire must be connected to turn on the stereo.
• When you turn off the stereo system using this switch or the stereo's power button, it enters standby mode, allowing it to start faster than if you turn off power to it using the yellow wire. The stereo consumes 350 mA in standby mode.
• When you are not using the vessel, you must turn off power to the stereo using the yellow wire via the circuit breaker or manual switch to prevent the battery from draining.

Connecting to Power via Ignition

This connection method is most often used on various types of boats for waterskiing and wakeboarding and similar sport or leisure boats where engine power is frequently switched. For these installations, a faster standby time is usually less important, and it is more efficient to use the switch or a dedicated switch on the power panel to turn off the stereo and ensure that no unexpected power drain occurs.

1. See this diagram to plan your wiring connections.

Connecting to Power Without Using Ignition

This connection method is most often used on larger boats and on boats with multiple connected stereo systems and other marine electronics. For these installations, a faster start time is usually less important, and it is more efficient to use the switch or a dedicated switch on the power panel to turn off the stereo and ensure that no unexpected power drain occurs.

1. See this diagram to plan your wiring connections.

Speaker Zones

You can group speakers in an area into a speaker zone. This allows you to control the volume level for the zones individually. For example, you can make the sound quieter in the cabin and louder on deck.

The speaker wiring for zones 1 and 2 is powered by the internal stereo amplifier. If you want to use the line output and subwoofer output for zones 1 and 2, you must connect external amplifiers. Zones 3 and 4 are only available as line-level outputs. If you want to use the line output and subwoofer output for zones 3 and 4, you must connect external amplifiers.

You can adjust balance, volume limit, tone, subwoofer frequency, and name for each zone, and configure other zone-specific settings. Note: Subwoofer frequency cannot be changed when handled by the DSP.

Wiring Speaker Systems via Line Output

This diagram illustrates a system installation with an external amplifier and subwoofer connected to zone 2 of the stereo via a line output. You can connect an amplifier and subwoofer to any or all of the available zones on the stereo.

Note You can connect speakers to the speaker wiring for the internal stereo amplifier while using the line output on zones 1 and 2, but adjusting the volume will affect both the speakers connected to the internal amplifier and the line output. This can result in uneven volume levels.

Wiring Diagram for NMEA 2000 System

Diagram showing the NMEA 2000 system wiring.

1. Stereo
2. Supported Plotter-MFD or compatible Fusion® NMEA 2000 remote control
3. NMEA 2000 GPS antenna, speed sensor, or wind instrument. When the stereo is connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as a compatible engine, a GPS antenna, a chartplotter with a built-in GPS antenna, a wind instrument, or a water speed sensor, it can be configured to automatically adjust the volume according to engine RPM, ground speed, wind speed, or water speed. For more information, refer to the stereo's owner's manual.
4. Inline circuit breaker
5. NMEA 2000 power cable
6. NMEA 2000 drop cable, up to 6 m (20 ft)
7. 9 to 16 V DC power supply
8. NMEA 2000 terminator or backbone cable
9. NMEA 2000 T-connector
10. NMEA 2000 terminator or backbone cable

Audio Return Channel

With ARC (Audio Return Channel), you can play digital audio from a TV or other source with HDMI technology through the stereo system's speakers.

HDMI version 1.4 or newer cables support ARC. When planning your stereo installation, check if your devices and cables support ARC. Most devices that support ARC have an ARC or eARC label on the HDMI connector that supports ARC.

You may need to configure the TV or another source to send audio via ARC. This stereo supports ARC (but not eARC), CEC 1.4, and PCM stereo audio. Configuration instructions can be found in the source device's manual if needed.

Note: There is a length limitation for HDMI cables when the ARC function is used. If the source is more than 5 m (16 ft) from the stereo, check with the cable manufacturer to ensure it supports ARC at the required length.

TIPS: On compatible TVs, you can control the stereo volume with the TV's remote control when using an ARC source.

Configuring DAB and FM Antenna Ports

Note: These instructions apply only to European models. DAB stations are broadcast only in selected areas of Europe, so not all models support this feature.

There are two antenna ports on the stereo, and you can connect a DAB antenna and an FM antenna to either of them, depending on the type of connection available on the antenna. After connecting the antenna, you must configure the stereo to use the antenna correctly.

1. Select > Settings > Source > DAB.
2. Select an option:
   • To configure an antenna port for a DAB antenna, select DAB antenna:.
   • To configure an antenna port for an FM antenna, select FM antenna.
3. Select the antenna port where you connected the antenna.
4. Repeat these steps for the other antenna if necessary.
5. If the connected antenna requires power from the stereo, select > Settings > Source > DAB and select Power to Antenna 1 or Power to Antenna 2, depending on which port you connected the antenna to (optional).

Fusion PartyBus Network

The Fusion PartyBus networking feature allows you to connect multiple compatible stereos to a network using a combination of wired or wireless connections.

Note: When configuring a Fusion stereo to a Garmin BlueNet network or a Garmin marine network, you are limited to using only Garmin and Fusion devices. You may not be able to use routers, storage devices, or other third-party network products with this stereo directly.

TIPS: When the stereo is connected to a Garmin BlueNet network or a Garmin marine network, you can connect a mobile device to a wireless access point on a connected Garmin chartplotter and use the Fusion Audio app to control the stereo.

You cannot use Wi-Fi® networks when a stereo is connected to a Garmin network.

You can group a compatible stereo, such as the Fusion Apollo RA800 stereo, with other compatible stereos connected to the Fusion PartyBus network. Grouped stereos can share available sources and control media playback on all stereos in the group, allowing for a synchronized audio experience throughout the vessel. You can quickly create, edit, and share groups as needed from compatible stereo or remote controls on the network.

Note: A zone stereo, such as the Fusion Apollo SRX400, can create or join a group to control and play sources from other stereos, but it cannot share sources with the group.

For more information on what to consider when sharing sources, refer to the owner's manual.

You can use compatible stereo and remote controls, whether they are grouped or not, to adjust the volume for the available speaker zones of the stereo on the network.

You can connect up to eight Fusion PartyBus stereos in a network wirelessly.

Considerations for Wired Networks

When planning your network installation, consider the following for all wired connections.

• This unit uses Garmin BlueNet technology for wired network connections. For more information on Garmin BlueNet technology, including best practices for creating a network that includes both Garmin BlueNet devices and devices in the older Garmin marine network, visit garmin.com/manuals/bluenet.
• If you connect the stereo to another stereo or device with a Garmin BlueNet network port, you can use Garmin BlueNet standard cables (not included).
• If you connect the stereo to another device that uses older Garmin marine network cables, you should use an adapter cable for Garmin marine network to Garmin BlueNet network (010-12531-11 or 010-13094-00, not included).
• If you connect the stereo to another stereo or device that uses a standard Ethernet port, you should use an adapter cable for RJ45 to Garmin BlueNet network (010-12531-02, not included).
• If you use multiple chartplotters with a mix of Garmin BlueNet networks and older Garmin marine networks, you should connect this unit to a Garmin BlueNet chartplotter or switch for best performance.
• For more information on Garmin BlueNet technology, visit garmin.com/manuals/bluenet.
• You can use a network cable to connect the stereo directly to a compatible device.
• You must use wired network switches and wired or wireless network routers when connecting more than two compatible devices to a network.
• If you install a router in the network, it should be configured as a DHCP server by default. For more information, refer to the router's instructions.
• If you do not install a router and there are no other DHCP servers in the network, you should configure a Fusion PartyBus stereo as a DHCP server (Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a DHCP Server, page 23).

Example of Wired Network with a Switch or Router

You must use wired network switches, a wired network router, or both to connect more than two devices.

If you have more than two devices using Garmin BlueNet network technology, you can use a Garmin BlueNet 20 switch to connect them.

If you have not installed a router and there are no other DHCP servers in the network, you should configure a Fusion PartyBus stereo as a DHCP server (Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a DHCP Server, page 23). If you have installed a router, you may need to configure it as a DHCP server. For more information, refer to the router's instructions.

1. Fusion PartyBus stereo
2. Wired network switch, wired network router, or Garmin BlueNet 20 switch
3. Fusion PartyBus stereo or zone remote control

Considerations for Wireless Networks

When planning your network, consider the following for all wireless connections.

• Wired connections are more reliable than wireless connections. You should plan the network so that you can use network cables, but if that is not possible, many Fusion PartyBus devices are Wi-Fi compatible. You can connect them to wireless routers or access points.
• If you install a router in the network, it should be configured as a DHCP server by default. For more information, refer to the router's instructions.
• If you do not use a wireless router, you can configure the device as a wireless access point so that you can connect other devices within the wireless range.
• Note: You should not configure this device as a wireless access point if you have a router installed in the network, as this can lead to DHCP conflicts and poor network performance.
• If you connect a Fusion PartyBus device to the network as a WI-FI CLIENT, you cannot connect additional wired Fusion PartyBus devices to that device.
• You can connect a smartphone to the wireless network to control any stereo in the network using the Fusion Audio app.
• You can connect an Apple® device to the wireless network to stream media to multiple stereos in the network using Apple AirPlay® 2.
• If you connect a Bluetooth® device to the stereo, it may interfere with some Wi-Fi connections.
• Wi-Fi signals can interfere with Bluetooth device connections. You should turn off the Wi-Fi setting on the stereo if you are not using it to connect to a wireless network or to provide a wireless access point.

Example of Wireless Network with a Wired Switch or Router

Diagram showing a wireless network with a wired switch or router.

1. Fusion PartyBus stereo
2. Wired network switch or wired network router
3. Fusion PartyBus stereo or zone remote control
4. Fusion PartyBus zone stereo
5. Mobile device using the Fusion Audio app

Example of Wireless Network with a Wireless Router or Access Point

Diagram showing a wireless network with a wireless router or access point.

1. Fusion PartyBus stereo
2. Wireless network router or wireless access point
3. Fusion PartyBus stereo or zone remote control
4. Fusion PartyBus zone stereo
5. Mobile device using the Fusion Audio app

Building a Network

You should have basic knowledge of networking when building a Fusion PartyBus network. These instructions will guide you through the basics of building and configuring a network and should apply in most situations. If you need to perform advanced networking tasks, such as assigning static IP addresses to devices on the network or configuring advanced settings on a connected router, you may need to consult a network technician.

1. Determine the installation location for the Fusion PartyBus devices you want to connect to the network. Note: Wired connections are more reliable than wireless connections. When planning the network, you should run network cables instead of using wireless connections whenever possible.
2. Determine the installation location for any necessary network routers or switches.
3. Run the network cable to the installation locations for the stereos, switches, and router. Note: If you are connecting only this stereo to other stereos or devices with a Garmin BlueNet network port, you can run Garmin BlueNet cables instead of a Cat5e or Cat6 cable. If you are connecting to other stereos or devices with an RJ45 standard network port, you must use an adapter cable for RJ45 to Garmin BlueNet (010-12531-02, not included) to connect a Cat5e or Cat6 cable to this stereo.
4. Connect the network cables to the stereo system, switches, and router.

OBS! Do not install the stereo yet. You should test the network before installing the stereo.

5. Turn on all devices connected to the network, including wireless devices.
6. Select an option:
   • If you are using a network router (wired or wireless), refer to the documentation that came with the router to determine if you need to configure the router as a DHCP server. When using a router as a DHCP server, all stereos on the network should use their default configuration (DHCP client).
   • If you are not using a wireless router, you should configure a stereo as a wireless access point if needed (Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a Wireless Access Point, page 24). If you configure a stereo as a wireless access point, the DHCP server will be the stereo, and all other stereos on the network should use their default configuration (DHCP client).
   • If you are not using a network router and are not using a stereo as a wireless access point, and there are no other DHCP servers on the network, you should configure one of the stereos as a DHCP server (Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a DHCP Server, page 23).
7. Test the network by selecting > Groups to see a list of devices connected to the network, and select an option:
   • If any Fusion PartyBus devices are not available on the network, troubleshoot the network (Network Troubleshooting, page 25).
   • If all Fusion PartyBus devices are available on the network, complete the installation for each stereo as needed.

Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a DHCP Server

If you have connected more than two network devices together with a network switch or wireless access point but have not installed a router, you should configure only one Fusion PartyBus stereo as a DHCP server.

OBS! If you have more than one DHCP server on the network, the network will become unstable and performance will degrade for all devices on the network.

Note: If you have set the stereo as a WI-FI ACCESS POINT, it is configured as a DHCP server by default, and no further settings changes are needed (Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a Wireless Access Point, page 24).

1. If the device is connected to the network via an Ethernet cable, select > Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Off.
2. If the device is connected via an Ethernet cable, select Static IP > Save.
3. Select Advanced > DHCP Server > DHCP Enabled > Save.

Connecting the Stereo to a Garmin Network

Note: When connecting the stereo to a Garmin BlueNet network or a Garmin marine network, you are limited to using only Garmin and Fusion devices. You cannot use third-party routers or other network products with this stereo directly.

You cannot use Wi-Fi networks to connect to a Garmin chartplotter, and you cannot use Wi-Fi networks on the stereo when it is connected to a Garmin chartplotter via a wired network connection.

You can connect this stereo to a Garmin BlueNet network or a Garmin marine network to display and control the stereo with a compatible Garmin chartplotter.

Note: If a Garmin chartplotter is detected on the network, the stereo will automatically switch to Garmin marine network mode, restart, and disable all other network settings on the stereo. If this does not happen automatically, reset the network settings on the stereo and reconnect it (Resetting Network Settings, page 24). If it still does not happen automatically, perform a factory reset of the stereo and reconnect it.

This stereo is compatible with both Garmin BlueNet devices and Garmin marine network devices. You can connect the stereo to either network type, but if you have multiple stereos, all should be connected to one or the other network type.

Note: If the vessel has a mix of Garmin marine networks and Garmin BlueNet networks connected via a Garmin BlueNet bridge, all stereos should be connected to the Garmin BlueNet network for best performance. For more information on Garmin BlueNet technology, including best practices for creating a network that includes both Garmin BlueNet devices and devices in the Garmin marine network, visit garmin.com/manuals/bluenet.

TIPS: When the stereo is connected to a Garmin network, you can connect a mobile device to a wireless access point on a connected Garmin chartplotter and use the Fusion Audio app to control the stereo.

1. Determine which device on the Garmin BlueNet network or Garmin marine network is best to connect the stereo to.
2. Select an option:
   • To connect the stereo to a Garmin BlueNet device, use a Garmin BlueNet cable (not included).
   • To connect the stereo to a Garmin marine network device, use an adapter cable for Garmin marine network to Garmin BlueNet network (010-12531-11 or 010-13094-00, not included).

Setting up the Fusion PartyBus Device as a Wireless Access Point

Before you can connect additional Fusion PartyBus devices or smartphones to a Fusion PartyBus device wirelessly, you must configure one device as a wireless access point. This is not necessary if you have installed a wireless router or any other wireless access point on the network.

OBS! You should not configure this device as a wireless access point if you have a router installed on the network. Doing so may cause DHCP conflicts, leading to poor network performance.

For more detailed configuration instructions, refer to the owner's manual.

1. Select > Settings > Network > WI-FI ACCESS POINT.
2. Select Use default settings and wait for the device to save the network settings. Note: After the default settings are saved, you can scroll to the bottom of the Network menu to view the default SSID assigned to the access point.
3. Select > Settings > Network > Advanced > WI-FI AP SETTINGS > Password and enter a password for the wireless access point.
4. Select Save.
5. Note: After connecting the stereo to a wireless access point, you cannot use the wired network connection.

Connecting the Fusion PartyBus Device to a Wireless Access Point

You can connect this device to a wireless access point on a router or a compatible Fusion PartyBus device on the network. This device can connect using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) if supported by the access point. This device can connect using Apple Accessory Configuration (WAC) with a supported Apple device.

1. Select > Settings > Network > WI-FI CLIENT > SSID. A list of available wireless access points within range is displayed.
2. Select the wireless Fusion PartyBus access point.
3. If necessary, select Password, enter the password, and select Save.
4. Note: After connecting the stereo to a wireless access point, you cannot use the wired network connection.

Resetting Network Settings

You can reset all network settings for this stereo to factory defaults.

1. Select > Settings.
2. Select Network > Advanced > Reset > Yes.

Advanced Network Configuration

You can perform advanced network tasks on Fusion PartyBus devices, such as defining DHCP ranges and static IP addresses. For more information, refer to the owner's manual.

Note: When the stereo is connected to a Garmin marine network via Ethernet and configured as a DHCP client, it will automatically detect and connect to the Garmin marine network.

Network Troubleshooting

Follow the steps below if you cannot see or connect to Fusion Apollo devices on the network.

• Check that all Fusion Apollo stereos, remote controls, network switches, routers, and wireless access points are connected to the network and powered on.
• Check that wireless Fusion Apollo devices are connected to a wireless router or wireless access point on the network.
• Note: Wired connections are more reliable than wireless connections. If possible, connect devices to the network using an Ethernet cable.
• Check that only one device, either a stereo or a router, is configured as a DHCP server. If you are connected to a Garmin chartplotter via a wired Garmin BlueNet or Garmin marine network connection, it functions as the DHCP server for the network, and no connected stereo should be configured as a DHCP server.
• Change the channel on the router or wireless access point to test for interference and resolve any interference.
• You may experience wireless interference if there are many wireless access points nearby.
• Disconnect Bluetooth devices to test for interference and resolve any interference. Connecting a Bluetooth device to a stereo configured as a wireless access point or client may degrade the wireless connection.
• If you have configured static IP addresses, ensure that all devices have a unique IP address, that the first three sets of numbers in the IP addresses match, and that the subnet masks on each device are identical.
• If you have made configuration changes that may cause network problems, reset all network settings to factory defaults.
• If you have connected the Fusion Apollo device to a Garmin chartplotter via a wired Garmin BlueNet or Garmin marine network connection, the network settings on the device should automatically change to the Garmin marine network. If the network settings do not change as expected, reset the network settings on the device (Resetting Network Settings, page 24).