positive earth and wiring a stereo

Post by **joannebinney** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:46 pm

Hi could someone please give me an idiots guide to reversing my battery and wiring a stereo into my moggie , i have read through several articles on here but they just confuse me even more , sorry for being an idiot but a "dummies guide " would be greatly apprieciated

Post by **cormorant** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:19 pm

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.php?page=322

Think this is the simplest it can get really - is this one of the ones you have read?

Otherwise maybe get a local member to do it for you, it's only 15 mins work

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:39 pm

This is the original Step 8 from the link:

8
Swap the 2 small wires on the coil over. These just pull off and slide back on. If in doubt you should end up with the black and white wire connected to the terminal marked - or neg.

This could possibly be a little confusing if you lack experience with the electrics.....the end bit. Perhaps more clear would be:

............connected to the terminal marked "-" (minus), or "neg" (negative).

I had a vision of someone looking around for a terminal marked "or neg".

Be careful when you're handling the wires.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:08 pm

When you reverse the battery - you should at least clean the points in the dizzy and the fuel pump, or fit new ones !

Post by **8009STEVE** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:09 pm

Why? I didnt

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:55 pm

The points build up a peak on one and pit on the other according to the polarity. Reverse the polarity - and it all goes wrong. You may have been lucky Steve! But usually - failure sets in shortly after. It's just a sensible precaution.

Post by **joannebinney** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:25 am

Thankyou all , the link i understood it was the conflicting advice on the cleaning of the points that was confusing me lol i guess i'll just play it safe and do as Bmc suggests ,once again many thanks xx

Post by **joannebinney** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:55 am

thought i would let you all know that this morning i attempted to change over to negative earth , now i know that this is a very minor job to you all but as my very first attempt at anything to do with cars (not even changed a tyre !) i am extremly happy to let you know that it went without a hitch (smug smile to myself

) i cannot say thankyou enough to all who replied your advice was so helpful ,i couldn't have done it without you xx i want you all to come and live in my spare room lol

Post by **ssnjimb** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:17 am

I will take you up on that spare room offer

Post by **joannebinney** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:33 am

lol your more than welcome , i still have to wire the stereo ! Need to get an alternator first but i think i will have to take pob to the garage for that (bit beyond me i think lol )

Post by **ssnjimb** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:47 am

I have a radiomobile radio to fit luckily bluey was negative earth when i got him. Make sure the wire from the alternator to the positive side of the batter is thick as that is what charges the battery up.

How much per night and does it include breakfast.

James

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:10 pm

Having swapped the polarity - did you re-polarise the dynamo ? Is it now charging ok ? Fitting an alternator is by means difficult - by neither is it necessary! For general use the dynamo will be fine.

Post by **joannebinney** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:51 pm

Hi Bmc ,i did and i also cleaned the points as you said ,i will be taking pob to the garage for the alternator doing , little steps and all that , i was under the impression that a stereo would drain the battery if i just had the dynamo ? Is this not correct ?
Joanne

Post by **MColes** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:53 pm

I have no problems, I have a dynamo and I am running a radio

Post by **ssnjimb** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:54 pm

nope it wont drain a battery.

How often would you run the radio with the engine off.

What type do you anticipate fitting if just a radiomobile like me then it will be fine with a dynamo.

Just check the wiring and clean the terminals on the dynamo and voltage regulator as mine turned white for some reason (spade connector corrosion)

James

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:06 pm

If you are running great wapping amps with huge speakers - that may strain the dynamo slightly. For a normal 'stereo' absolutely no problem at all! Just stick with the dynamo - they are pretty reliable.

Post by **cormorant** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:07 pm

Glad it has all been a positive experience for you.

Post by **ssnjimb** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:08 pm

Post by **MColes** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:09 pm

I did go mad with speakers and an amp at one point (they've been taken out now as they didn't improve the sound that much). When I had that setup in the car I had to sacrifice the radio for the wipers

Post by **joannebinney** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:05 am

Hi all
these are the details of the stereo

•4 x 20 watts RMS.

•Digital FM/MW PLL tuner.

•30 station presets.

•RDS/EON.

•USB port and auxiliary input.

•LCD display.

•Clock.

•MP3 playback.

•Repeat, random play, search and skip CD functions.

•CD-R and CD-RW playback.

•Bluetooth hands-free and music streaming.

•Telephone mute.

•Bass and treble controls.

•Balance and fader controls.

•Equaliser.

•ISO connection.

•2 pairs of pre-outs.

•Bullet connection.

•Detachable fascia and carry case.

sorry but it wouldn't let me post a link

no amps or big speakers and i'll only be using when the engine is running, so i can stick with my dynamo ?