Can a modern car radio be fitted into a Morris Minor car without it flattening the car battery?

Question

The radio manufacturer says the radio is incorrectly installed. The mechanic says the radio is too powerful for an old Morris Minor electrical system. Help!!!

Answer 1

First you need to know  if your car has an alternator or dynamo if an alternators fitted then this should keep up with the demand even with a small amp but a dynamo will struggle.The battery amp hr capacity can also be increased to give a longer period of use when the engine is not charging. As the wires may have deteriorated it may be prudent to run new as the price of wire compared with the price of a shorted out loom is not comparable  

Answer 2

The car probably charge the battery by dynamo which is nowhere as efficient as and Alternator. SO unless you can provide a better source of charging to the battery I think the mechanic is right

Answer 3

You have to have your MM converted to negative earth and don't use the radio whilst the engine is switched off - unless you have a good high capacity battery. It should be OK whilst on the move as your dynamo will be able to charge the battery and run the radio - might be different at night in the rain though.

Answer 4

Shouldn't be a problem with a basic car radio. You wouldn't be able to fit a megawatt panel shaker. You might want to look for one where it doesn't need an always live feed to keep the memory working. Also watch out for the negative/positive earth difference. The morris is probably positive ground and virtually all modern car electricks are negative ground. Some, but not very many units are convertible, most are not.

Answer 5

If the battery is going flat while the car is not being used the radio is incorrectly installed.The car electrical system should be able to power a radio if the engine is running  

Answer 6

Yes it can, the mechanic was probably trying to get you to buy an alternator from him.