2001 Mustang Convertible -- Second Attempt

**colin** · 05-21-2009, 07:16 PM

I guess I need pictures to really show why, but basically, each thing has a manual override switch right on the shifter bezel. There are 6 switches (amp1, amp2, screen on, computer on, interior lighting, exterior lightng)

**PaulF** · 05-21-2009, 08:42 PM

Oh, gotcha. I had the same idea for my setup, but, in an effort to save space, I'm opting to go with one kill-switch which can kill power to everything: PC, amps, lights, etc. Most of my stuff will be tuned on and off through the computer, but the kill-switch will be there in case of a computer or wiring failure. If you find all those switches taking too much valuable space: fusion brain all the way. ;-)

**colin** · 05-21-2009, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by PaulF

Oh, gotcha. I had the same idea for my setup, but, in an effort to save space, I'm opting to go with one kill-switch which can kill power to everything: PC, amps, lights, etc. Most of my stuff will be tuned on and off through the computer, but the kill-switch will be there in case of a computer or wiring failure. If you find all those switches taking too much valuable space: fusion brain all the way. ;-)

Yeah I know what you mean, but Im a control freak. If my computer messes up, I want to shut off my amps and the computer but keep the lights on. If it's too bright or too dark out, I want to turn off the lights. If the trunk is closed, I want to turn off the trunk lights.

I bought light-up blue switches so I want them visible. I installed 6 already and I love the effect, so they're staying

I also have a board very similar to the Fusion Brain.

Thanks

Pictures coming SOON, promise.

**PaulF** · 05-21-2009, 10:08 PM

Yeah I'd love to see them... I wish I was good at fabricating stuff. Every time I've ever stuck a switch on something it has looked like crap haha

**colin** · 05-23-2009, 08:15 PM

Ran a lot of the wire today, but I still have some to do tomorrow. I managed to squeeze the video, audio, remote turn ons, USB, power, and bass adjust through the center under the carpeting! Mustangs are a pain in the butt to run wires through.

Tomorrow I have to run the speaker wires and continue cutting the amp rack. I also bought the proper sized roller for my shelving unit (for the amps).

**Jitters333** · 05-23-2009, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by colin

Ran a lot of the wire today, but I still have some to do tomorrow. I managed to squeeze the video, audio, remote turn ons, USB, power, and bass adjust through the center under the carpeting! Mustangs are a pain in the butt to run wires through.

Tomorrow I have to run the speaker wires and continue cutting the amp rack. I also bought the proper sized roller for my shelving unit (for the amps).

Surprised nobody has told you that 0g wire is crazy overkill for 800 to even 1500 watts rms thats crazy over kill, 0g wire is only really needed when your running a High Output alternator that can actually put out that amps,

but its better to be to safe than not, and if you want more power mustangs a good car to have as there ho alternates are fairly cheap
thats a crazy good price for a 200amp alt

(~120$) as that will more than double the power your car puts out (if your running a stock alt)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1971wt_758

**colin** · 05-23-2009, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the input!

As far as the wire goes, the 0awg is apparently enough to run 250A of current reliably without overheating or anything. Judging strictly by fuses, I have 60A on my speaker amp, 75A on my subwoofer amp, and 15A on my computer. I will also be running a ton of other peripherals (window circuits, convertible circuits, etc) off this wire, so add another say 10A.

All that totals about 160A, right? The wire company I went with offers 4awg or 0awg but nothing in between. The 4awg is rated at 100A which is completely unacceptable (sadly, because I already had it run through the car

)

Plus for the cost difference between another company's 2awg and this company's 0awg, I might as well overcompensate!

The problem with alternators is that they don't put out as much at idle, only if you're moving! I need an alternator that puts out a high load at idle (which I found) but they're about $250.

Pictures coming within a few days.

**Jitters333** · 05-24-2009, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by colin

Thanks for the input!

As far as the wire goes, the 0awg is apparently enough to run 250A of current reliably without overheating or anything. Judging strictly by fuses, I have 60A on my speaker amp, 75A on my subwoofer amp, and 15A on my computer. I will also be running a ton of other peripherals (window circuits, convertible circuits, etc) off this wire, so add another say 10A.

All that totals about 160A, right? The wire company I went with offers 4awg or 0awg but nothing in between. The 4awg is rated at 100A which is completely unacceptable (sadly, because I already had it run through the car

)

Plus for the cost difference between another company's 2awg and this company's 0awg, I might as well overcompensate!

The problem with alternators is that they don't put out as much at idle, only if you're moving! I need an alternator that puts out a high load at idle (which I found) but they're about $250.

Pictures coming within a few days.

Oh.. so I take it you already purchased an alt? Whats the rating?

**PaulF** · 05-24-2009, 09:22 PM

If you haven't bought the alternator yet, http://powerbastards.com apparently has some pretty good alternators. I haven't tried them out personally, but I'm planning on buying one...

**colin** · 05-24-2009, 11:05 PM

I havent purchased it, I don't have the money to be doing upgrades right now. The alternators I was talking about (the high output at idle) was from PowerBastards. I plan on buying one for my car when I can. I drove today with my back seat out and I could hear the brakes being applied to the back wheels so Im guessing that those will have to be replaced soon

I currently have $13,000 in debt for school, $60 left on credit until payday (Wed), $500 due on the 1st of the month, $750 due before the 10th of the month, gas, insurance and cellphone bills. I won't be buying an alternator any time soon unless I start selling my old stuff ASAP.

Anyway, didn't get a thing done today. Since Im doing the whole project myself (software, hardware, and firmware), it gets overwhelming. I did a bit of frontend design and coding today and then when I got bored of that, I started on the hardware designing. I just bought a new programmer and stuff so I'm going to redesign my original circuit board to make it more efficient for my specific setup

Oh god, so much to do, so little time. Back to work tomorrow morning at 5!