Electronics advice please.......

Post Sun May 31, 2009 2:31 am

Right then... after a bit of help/advice!!

I have most of the audio equipment i'm going to fit in my touring and am wondering if I will be able to get away with running it all from one battery up front.
I normally stick a second batt in the boot, but am trying to keep the weight down where i can!!!

The Amps will be a JL 1000/1 and a DLS TA2!
Looking at the DLS specs - Max Current Draw is 40 Amps.
Can't find that info on the JL, but they recommend a 100 Amp fuse.

Other than that, i have no idea what sort of drain there is normally on an E30!!

Any idea what the max drain could be, i.e blower on full, hid lights on, front and rear heated screens on, wipers, and other bits i haven't thought of?!?!?!?

Won't be using the sound system without the engine running, so not worried about a split charge system.

Will deffo want to be uprating the alternator!! Any ideas for an easy fit??
Can a standard alternator be modded to give a much bigger output??

The big three are already done in zero gauge and other other cabling will be zero gauge where possible, or as big as!!!

Any ideas/recommendations for a battery that'll do the business up front (assuming i could get away with one!!)??

This system will be used loud for long periods while driving and i don't want any loss in quality or damage to any equipment due to low power!!!!

Anyone else done a big power install in an E30?? Specs??

All ideas/comments/advice appreciated!!!!!

Post Sun May 31, 2009 2:45 am

I've just made a 140A alternator from an E38fit on the M20.It's not a simple bolt on job but it's fitted and working.

I'd still be inclined to go with a split charge setup and 2nd battery in the boot if pulling that amount of current tbh.

Post Sun May 31, 2009 3:13 am

Must be able to mod something to more than 140amps??? Still useful to know though - any details??

Tbh i'm expecting people to say keep the split charge and second batt, but would rather not add that weight!!
The sub and amps weigh so much i'm even considering a fibreglass box now!!! I'll be using the car for track days and it's driven hard on the road too!! Don't really want to keep taking this all in and out, just want it to be permanent!!

Can mount the sub centrally(ish) and an amp either side to keep some balance, but a heavy second batt is gonna bugger it even more!!!

Hoping someone's gonna come up with a good alternative!!!!

Post Sun May 31, 2009 3:17 am

what spec is the e30 diesel alternator?

battery wise go for an optima, fit new earth straps as well

Post Sun May 31, 2009 10:32 am

miniblob wrote:Must be able to mod something to more than 140amps??? Still useful to know though - any details??

For the E38 one, you need to remove about 1/2 of the lower mountings with a hacksaw,Fit the E30 metal bushes into the mounting holes,change the pulley(i use one from an alt with a twin belt pulley,makes up some spacers to move it back towards the bulkhead so the pulley runs in the correct position,obtain a longer high tensile bolt and nut,use a longer fan belt and run an ignition live to it as well.

In order to get a pic or 2 i'll need to remove the AFM if needed.

HTH

Post Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:11 pm

Cheers Dave - don't worry about pics for me!! It'll be a while before i pull my finger out and do that option!!!
At least i know it is do-able if needed though!!! Cheers for the info!!

No idea what spec the diesel alt is!! Anyone???

I've got an optima yellow top i was gonna add in the boot, but it's just so heavy!!!
Would also like to know if there is anything more suitable to use alone up front??
I've learnt from experience that yellow top's don't like starting engines!!

Any other ideas??

Wheres Brian Moooore?????? He's a bit clever with electrics isn't he???