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electrical question
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Author:  Kurross [ Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:  electrical question
Hi all with much more mini knowledge than I,

When i get my mini back from being sprayed and i put it all back together i plan on fitting 4 spotties infront of the grill, install a stereo and a alarm.

My question is:
Do i have to do anything to the engine (its a 998)? different alternator etc..?? I haven't purchased any lights yet(any suggestions?? cause i was just going to get some cheapie from local super cheap)the stereo isn't going to be "fully sic" doof doof, just cd player, 6x9's, splits and maybe a little amp.

i thought would be best to work out now while engine not in car.

Thanks
Author:  zippytheclown [ Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't have any real knowledge on this, but would suggest that with all that extra electrical gear going in, and considering you are in the building process now (rather than try to retrofit later) go for a bigger alternator, and get somebody (or yourself) that knows what they are doing to wire it up properly (with relays, proper fuses etc). There is nothing more depressing than seeing a mini on the side of the road with the driver under the bonnet scratching his head, besides, it will be something you can point out to spectators later on ("yeah and to be safe I beefed up the electrical system to cope with the airplane landing lights and locomotive horn I put on" (don't laugh, I know somebody who fitted exactly those things to a fiat bambina)) Besides, all that properly installed and layed out wiring can look shmick if done right.
Author:  Anto [ Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Possibly you would want a better alternator, if you are upgrading to spot lights. I used to have a decent sound system in my Mini with a couple of amps and a subwoofer, and I am running the standard generator. I have never had problems, my voltmeter has only reported problems when running the stereo, heater, headlights and wipers at the same time. So I simply turned off the lights and wipers and it was fine. At least then I was warm and had entertainment :wink: I reckon its the lights that are the killer.

Cheers,
Anto.
Author:  1310/71 [ Thu Oct 14, 2004 3:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
yes upgrade the alternator - search the archives for fitting a Nissan Pulsar 75A alternator to a mini.

Relays for the headlight circuit and any driving lights you fit are also recommended. The $34 New Era relays from Supercheap are what I used and work fine. They have two circuits each with it's own inbuilt 30A fuse. In my case I wired up the low beam to one circuit and the high to the other. In your case you would want one relay for the headlights as I did and another one for each pair of driving lights.

Alternatively you could go for the cheaper compact ones like they sell in Supercheap for $8 each or whatever (bosch copies) and have one per light.
Author:  mickmini [ Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
The real tricky bit is if the alternator has an internal voltage regulator. The generators have an external one. so you have to bypass the old external voltage regulator.

Buggered if i knew how to wire it up, so i got the auto electrician to do it. took him about half an hour so pretty cheap. this was about 8 years ago, so i can't remember the $
Author:  Trevor [ Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
the mini spares website had a diagram for wiring in a alternator with a inbuilt regulator. i did have a copy of it, but can't seem to find it. try minispares.com
Author:  Mike [ Fri Oct 15, 2004 8:31 am ]
Post subject: 
If you wanna run the spots and rev that 998 w/o stuttering you'll certainly need a bigger alt. Run a search the conversion to a Bosch N13 from a pulsar is covered in detail.

The wiring is not too hard (read the post for the alternator and don't mix the wires) deffinately use relys with the spots - atleast standard light relays that often come included. Try and get reasonable quality stuff (you can often find some Narva round spots on a special for around $50 a pair) coz some of those super cheap lights are really flimsy and look crap when left to the elements for awhile.
Author:  miniVan [ Fri Oct 15, 2004 8:50 am ]
Post subject: 
first things first. before you decide wherether or not you need a new alternator, make sure someone hasnt fitted one in its previous life (amp ratings are usually stamped onto the case)

secondly, stereos dont put that much extra load on a circuit (only fully sik ones) they have high loads at intervals not constant.. (so you may see your charge light move with the beats if you have a sub.. no biggy.. my 60A alternator did this to my beetle on idle)

note that 4 spotlights will put a minimum draw of 16 extra amps on your system (four 50W ones) double if you go for the sealed beam 100W ones ive seen down there(none of your wires can take that.. like the guys said.. need a relay or 4...) if you ever get sick of your dull 50W and want more then make sure your wiring can take it now.. so its only a plug and play swap. seriously. 100W spotlights are cool if your alternator can take it.. like daylight.. remember to agle each one differently slightly away from each other to get a really wide beam

if you only have the old dynamo... ditch it, its a pece of crap and definately go the pulsar conversion (so much cheaper than mini alternator off the shelf jobbies and more power to boot)

if you already have a 40A alternator just wait and see (easy to do in the car dont believe anyone who says it aint)
Author:  Kurross [ Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.
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