audio question

[mtchll50]

i am thining of getting a system for my 1G eclipse and i wanna knwo if i should worry about it running my battery down or anything like that? is a capicitor necessary? any info would help i am new to systems and not sure how much of a power draw they would cause on my car??

thanks a lot

 

[TurboSam]

My battery was is old and I have a hard time keeping a charge on it. I am pushing a 1500w amp with 1 capacitor, even though the rule of thumb is 1000w=1 farad cap, so that maybe the biggest problem. It would also be nice to treat your car to a nice deep cycle battery and cleaning up the wires and alternator. I hope this helps, if you have any more questions PM me. Remember 1 farad cap for every 1000 watts!

 

[PaulPDX]

Definitely get yourself a better battery. Preferrably a gell cell like the Optimas (Exide as some as well I think, and cheaper). Gell cells are a little nicer to deal with and you don't have to worry about acid leaks as much as conventional batteries. However, it doesn't have to be deep cycle unless you plan on running your audio system at high volume for more than 20 min with the motor off. Whe the motor is running you've got juice coming from the alternator so it's not a problem. Anything electrical in the car is only getting power from the battery at ignition, or with the motor off. While the motor is running it's just turning the alternator and charging the battery or powering electrical systems.

Caps help since they are essentially small batteries that charge and discharge. They help to take some load off of the car's electrical system when your music hit the peaks. Let's say you've go a 500w sub amp. Everytime your music hits the bass, the amp's power demand spikes. Caps help reduce the load demand placed on the alternator and battery by providing some of the juice. I will be running a 0.5 farrad in mine. The 1G's interior is just too cramped to run a full farrad cap without doing major interior work like a false floor, which would eliminate what little cargo space you have. Heck, in stock form, I can't even put a fully packed duffle pack in the back when I travel. I have to toss it in the rear seat. You could remove the rear seats and build a custom deck, but to passers-by it just screams steal me. Oh, spare me the gospel of alarm systems. Been there done that with other cars I've owned. You can spend a grand on the fanciest alarm if you want, but if someone wants in bad enough... they will.

Anyway... an uprated rebuilt alternator wouldn't hurt either. Not a must have, but if you tend to blast your tunes, that might rob charging power away from your battery while you are driving... so one day your battery might not have enough juice to fire up the motor. A 90 amp rebuilt will run you about $175 with core exchange.

The biggest problem you'll run into in installing a system would be where to run the power cable through the firewall, and what to do about the sub enclosure. I think I have the power cable issue figured out, but haven't actually done it. The sub is going to be a challenge. Any prebuilt box, if it fits, is pretty much going to take up most of the space. A fiberglass job would be the best solution but costs too much... $600 and up if you go to an installer.

 

[mtchll50]

where do you think i should run the wire threw the fire wall? i found a universal fiberglass enclosure for $400.00 painted wich i didn't think it was a bad price. i am not to worried about storage other than when i move back to florida in a few minths but all that will be is clothes so no biggie? thanks for all the info it helps a lot

 

[PaulPDX]

From the driver side fender... look at your brake master cylinder... and then look to the left of that. You should see a cable running into the firewell where it meets a rubber cap. Cut a slit in that and you should be able to run a power cable though. 8 gauge should go through fine... but I have 4 gauge so I'm not sure until I actually try it.

Where did you find the universal box? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with mine without spending the big bucks for a custom box. I have two friends who are installers but none of them are willing to do it outside of work.

 

[jepherz]

When you are installing aftermarket audio equipment, a good, standard battery is fine. The deep cycle batteries are a better choice but not required; they, like on boats, are built to be drained and recharged whereas a normal car battery's life is affected if it is ever fully drained (ie. leaving on headlights and killing it).

On my system, I have about 800 watts (RMS) and therefore have a 1 farad cap. Caps are also not required, but they make a big difference depending on the music you listen to. After installing my cap, my deck no longer dims on heavier bass hits and nor do my interior lights or headlights.

Hopefully you have a nice quality system planned, I wouldn't suggest buying that high powered crap that has no sound quality whatsoever.

What are your plans?

 

[jepherz]

Forgot to mention.....

Most alarm systems are made by just a few companies, and I picked up one with remote start for $60, itsalled it myself, and so far ( 8 months) I have had no problems. I also made a custom fiberglass, ported box for my trunk in the back passenger corner (I also have a 1g and you know how there is that wasted space that a normal box would never fit in) and when i am done vinyling it, it shoudl look pretty nice. Making your own fiberglass box is not a huge deal as long as you are a quick learner and good with your hands. Fiberglass is very forgiving if you have an angle grinder handy!!!
Hope this little bit helps, PM me with more questions.

 

[PaulPDX]

Originally posted by jepherz
Forgot to mention.....

Most alarm systems are made by just a few companies,

Whoa, wait a minute... just make sure you don't buy one from Autoloc. I'm serious. I used to work there and the lies I heard day in and day out made me sick. It may be against the rules but I have to make an exception here. If you've seen their ads in magazines... I did all the graphics & logo. The hands in the keyless entry product shots are mine! I've been to the sewers and I know what's there!

Hey... would you mind making me a box? one that sits on the right hand corner? it doesn't have to be fancy or finished... a raw box would be fine. Need to mount my dual voice 10 but would still like to retain the spare.

 

[jepherz]

Originally posted by PaulPDX
Whoa, wait a minute... just make sure you don't buy one from Autoloc. I'm serious. I used to work there and the lies I heard day in and day out made me sick.

Mind filling us in?

As far as the box goes, I really have no idea if you would like my work, but I have some rough pics (box isnt finished) and you can get an idea of what I am getting at with them. PM me or repost

 

[PaulPDX]

PM sent. I shouldn't say more about the said company... if anyone wants to know more... message me.