Bitflip

hi, after weeks of getting everything together, and setup i was happy with the install untill i lost power!

To get started these are the details:

Car: Honda Civic 2004 sport
Computer - Shuttle SN45G, 80gb hdd, 2000xp cpu, wireless network
Invertor - Skytronic 300watt 600peak, - just the 12volt verison - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...category=36799
FM modulator - hoping to replace with a sony AUX to adaptor
Noise filter on RCA's

Cable setup:
4AWG power cable from battery to boot with 30amp fuse at battery.
4WAG ground cable in boot
Relay via ingition (when car is on, power cable becomes live)


Anyway, the story goes like this......after days of testing and running the pc without anyproblems (but changing the setup to get the current power cables), the last few days the pc has been switching off.

So i checked everythink over, only to find that the invertor (only thing it can be) cut the power (10.2 volts) so the car has enough power to start up.
As per normal i got my voltmeter out and checked the voltage across the battery, and it was 12.3v. Before i started the voltage was about 14.5-15v. Check the little display on the battery and it was no longer glowing green, but a dark green/black colour. Since then i've left the pc off and AC so the battery can charge up again, but its reached about 12.9 and wont go much higher.

What i need to know is how can i fix this power problem?
I believe its either the alternator which needs uprating, or a better battery? If i was to buy a capitor, and place it parrell to the battery, would this help solve a few things or atleast make the power line more stable?

Also now that i've found a place that sells OPUS in the UK, if i was to get one would this solve my problem?

p.s. when i got the car new, the headlamps would dim, everyfew mintues when the car was on but idle/low speeds - when ever the fans kicked in, they would dim.

MP3Car.com

 

SteveC

That sounds as though your car battery has developed a bad cell and simply needs replacement - get a good brand heavy duty version and you should be fine.

Your alternator should be ok but keep an eye on the charging voltage as it's not unheard of for the diode pack to fail when the battery fails - a new alternator isn't that expensive however

Steve

__________________

RV : Samsung Q1 + Kyocera KR1 (EVDO) + GPS<br>
Car: AMD 3000+ Book PC + Lilliput 8" Touch + 13" TFT
Webmaster for the European Ford Scorpio Site

Crimson Tear

If your battery is servicable, test it with a hydrometer. But, seeing as how it has a float in it, it probably isn't. I would say that you need a new battery if the bubble is black (means that hydrolyte is dead). BTW, battery voltage should be 12.6.

Bitflip

thanks for your help, i'lll check the battery over to see if it is that.

SjLucky

I got the greatest idea ever. It will solve all your problems.

Take out the carputer, Toss the civic and get a real car.

__________________

brrman

well, isn't that the *** post of the year...

__________________
Car: 2000 Audi A4 Avant 1.8t
Carputer 2.0: removed. Back to stock.

frenchnew

Well replied brrman

He must be annoyed at being condemmed to drive a paddle boat (Mississipi)

frenchnew

Your car must still be covered by Honda's Warranty, take it to your dealer to have it checked.

Best regards from Montreal

frenchnew

MP3Car.com

 

P4_2.66GHz

When the car is off, your battery should read 12.3V.
When the car is on (power supplied by the alternator), it should be 14.3-14.5V.

SjLucky

I try my best to be an ***

and you need to leave my paddle boat out of this she has done nothing to you

__________________

MP3Car.com