Your basic newbie question here.

tlbuckingham · 09-15-2002, 07:34 PM

I have been interested in the computer/mp3 car sceen for a couple of months now and have been doing some searching. I have two cars ('97 Honda Civic LX and '02 Isuzu Rodeo LS) and the question that always comes to mind is, how in the hell are you guys (and gals) running this stuff (LCD Monitor, computer, etc) off of a stock alternator and battery? Now I don't know jack about how electrical systems work but plz explain.

I would like to build my own system (I already have even parts being a PC/Network Tech by trade). I have a pretty good imagination (plus the rodeo has suffient room I believe). Thanx in advance

ddt · 09-15-2002, 07:44 PM

an AC-DC PSU + an inverter

or a DC-DC PSU

if you're asking about your alternator being aboe to handle the load.. I don't think it should pose too much of a problem.

tlbuckingham · 09-15-2002, 07:49 PM

Thanks for such a quick response. Yes I was worried about my altenator handling it.

magnetik · 09-15-2002, 08:29 PM

upping the cars battery is usually the best step to take first..... especially in the Civic.... my swift had a tiny battery (should have been on a motor cycle!) and I upped it to a 450CCA before I started to install my mp3car system/amp/subs/etc...

SuperMatty · 09-15-2002, 08:40 PM

There are a lot of things in my car (or maybe anyone's car) that could be upgraded to be more efficient and use less power. For example in my car, nearly every bit of interior lighting is a bulb...why not an LED? To control the fan speed for my A/C, a series of resistors is used...why not use pulse width modulation? Not to mention, every DC motor in the vehicle uses worm gears which are KNOWN to be not very efficient, consuming lots of total output in friction.

Perhaps if all of these things could be replaced, we wouldn't need 175 amp alternators

tlbuckingham · 09-15-2002, 09:37 PM

Would anyone happen to know off hand the formula I would use to determine the how much my Alternator can handle.

By the way you made some valid points. I wonder why the don't use more effiecent devices (probably because they are cheaper to make).

MP3DUB · 09-16-2002, 01:36 AM

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know what the average alternator output is on "midsize sedans"? I'm just currious.

SuperMatty · 09-16-2002, 01:42 AM

I believe its around 105 amps.