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sparkyunlimited
25-02-2007, 11:37 AM
I need help!!!!

I have just re-installed my system ready for summer but really need to upgrade the power in the car.

I have upgraded the chassis negative strap to the battery to 4gauge and the amps are all running straight from the battery connections. I am running 0 gauge to the fuse block where it is split to 4gauge running 2 JL 300/2 amps in bridged mode. There is then a separate 4gauge feed to 1 JL 1000/1.

Needless to say, I am using alot of power.

When running at 30 out of a possible 35 on the volume level, the interior lights flash with the bass (obviously when the door is open or the boot)and the volt meter on my fuse block drops from 13.8 to 12.4.

If a battery is the way to go (optima etc) could someone please recommend the best one for a convertible M3 (E46) I have read on a few pro car audio forums that capacitors are no substitution for more/larger batteries.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks

Dave
peppernick
25-02-2007, 04:59 PM
Caps do help to a certain degree. You can use thicker cable between the alternator and positive pole of your battery (more important that your ground). Bosch Silver Top I heard is better than the Optimas.

E46 M3 alternators are fragile and costly. I busted mine so did Teddy shortly after our installs. So I would prioritise for an uprated battery first.
Aaftab
25-02-2007, 06:38 PM
Peppernick how much do Bosch silver top batteries cost?
Icecold
26-02-2007, 07:33 AM
i would upgrade to the biggest bosch silver top you can get. it will cost you around £100.
sparkyunlimited
26-02-2007, 02:49 PM
i would upgrade to the biggest bosch silver top you can get. it will cost you around £100.

Do you know an exact model or is it gonna be a trial and error?

Cheers

Dave
Icecold
26-02-2007, 03:17 PM
i can remeber of the top of my head but i'll find out for you.
Chaos
26-02-2007, 03:22 PM
Check the label on the top of mine (when it comes back). :)

Always always upgrade the battery on installs; as Nick said, alternators are bloody expensive on the M3s (and they're not that cheap on smaller cars either). Been very pleased with my Bosch ST.
sparkyunlimited
26-02-2007, 05:30 PM
I was really lucky I didn't blow the alternator last year, I discovered about a month after doing my install that I had not tightened my battery ground - even the Xenons flashed with the beat! IT also caused the traction, tyre pressure and something else to come on for a second or so when the bass hit! I have replaced aboth my RCA cables but have still got a quiet whine over the speakers, that F Up may have caused long term damage to the head unit, alternator or amps. The whole car was pretty much running off the alternator with no smoothing from the battery!

I called myself some very interesting names the day I found out.

Dave


Check the label on the top of mine (when it comes back). :)

Always always upgrade the battery on installs; as Nick said, alternators are bloody expensive on the M3s (and they're not that cheap on smaller cars either). Been very pleased with my Bosch ST.
Aaftab
27-02-2007, 07:29 PM
Check the label on the top of mine (when it comes back). :)

Always always upgrade the battery on installs; as Nick said, alternators are bloody expensive on the M3s (and they're not that cheap on smaller cars either). Been very pleased with my Bosch ST.

Have you got your battery back yet? Just like to know the model number of the silver top.