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I have a 1978 Mini and recently I put a 1000 watt amplifier and 2 - 12" Subs into her. Now I have a problem with the car. She is dieing. Has anyone seen this problem? The capacitor I have for the stereo is reading 15.4 Volts. Not sure if this problem is related to the high wattage or if it's something else. I was driving home from work going 110 kms per hour and all of a sudden I started loosing power and finally the car slowed and died. I did get it started again after I turned everything off and waited 15 minutes. I also have aftermarket deck and speakers. If someone could please help that would be great! Thank you.
Sounds like you might be drawing more power than the alternator can put out, which will eventually drain the battery.
When you restarted the car, were you able to drive around so long as the stereo wasn't pulling any juice? If so, I'd say you definitely ID'd the culprit - sounds like a lot of demand for such a small alternator after all...
I'd have a stereo place take a look at your output capacity from the alternator and then compare that to what the total draw for everything is (stereo, headlights, ignition system, etc.) Remember that at night you have the draw from the headlamps and driving lights (if installed) as well. I'vce seen "high capacity" alternators at places like MiniMania or GBCarparts, just for this sort of application...
Could be something as simple as a weak, old or dying battery as well - if the car is still dying even with the stereo powered down, then I'd say it's time for a new one. Otherwise. I'd start with just asking some friendly questions down at a car stereo place - odds are, the tech will look for free just because you have an unusual car - that happens to me a lot.
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
does any real classic owner not understand the limits of the stock charging system?????
if the charging system is stressed, high RPM (speed) would mean the system is producing MAX .... while sitting it produces ZERO. How did the system recharge if the system was OFF?
sorry ... 2 ME the points don't add up . . . btw you have a CAP with a readout? Another thing I never saw in my years supervising electronics technitions ...... Pls post a picture so I can become more familiar.
does any real classic owner not understand the limits of the stock charging system?????
if the charging system is stressed, high RPM (speed) would mean the system is producing MAX .... while sitting it produces ZERO. How did the system recharge if the system was OFF?
sorry ... 2 ME the points don't add up . . . btw you have a CAP with a readout? Another thing I never saw in my years supervising electronics technitions ...... Pls post a picture so I can become more familiar.
In all fairness to the OP, there are some things I could understand better, and I feel like I know more than average about DC electrical (although I'm certainly no expert)...
I've seen it happen in my personal experience that a battery near the end of its life will sometimes recharge a little bit while the car is turned off, enough that it will be able to re-start the vehicle. My thinking was that if he were using the majority of the output of the stock recharging system with the stereo on, and his battery was also marginal, that possibly he was able to get the car restarted and, with the stereo not drawing any power, the battery was then able to recharge. That's why I asked about the behavior with the stereo switched off. More information here would be useful though, I agree...
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
Sorry guys for the vague information. I do have a capacitor that shows the voltage readout. It is from Stinger and cost me a couple hundred of dollars. It also beeps when the voltage is to low and lights light up. Its a pretty sweet set-up. Not your Walmart crap deal.
Anyways enough of that. Yes I waited 15 minutes and tried to start the car and it started right away. Not to sure the logic in that but it did. The battery is also less than a year old so I do not think that the battery is the culprit. I would assume that the charging system is not giving out enough juice as Capt bj is saying. I will have to find a higher output alternator and see if this remidies the problem.
Or I guess I will have to take this kick ass system out. I like how the little sucker pounds though. Sure gets a lot of looks. Nobody expects a mini to have a system like that in it.
'79; 02 S {02 - 09}, 07 S
