IDK if my system fried my harness

[phil2park2]

I installed a system in my (2004 non-turbo) pt about 4 months ago..... i was using a regular starting battery as my power source and about 2 weeks ago a few fuse links in my harness burned up. The first thing that the mechanic noticed when he looked under the hood was that my battery was swollen, and that it was shorted out inside, and now my relative that was letting me use the vehicle is making strong suggestions for me to remove the system, but i really don't want to because i want to compete in spl competitions. is there anyone that has had the same problem that could help me.... it was only a 400 watt system, and a crappy Dual head unit i dont think it was drawing enough power to cause that much damage

[turbo1013]

batterys dont swell normaly from slow discharge
they swell when overcharged
or overheated with repetive quick discharge

my guess is the voltage from the alternator is not being regulated well
hence alternator problem

[phil2park2]

if a regular starting battery died a couple of times, would that lower the battery's capacity to hold voltage.
I mean to the level where stock power would be to much for it to handle

[phil2park2]

how many amps does a stock pt cruisers alternator put out at an idle, and how many does it put out when you rev the engine also

[turbo1013]

Originally Posted by phil2park2

if a regular starting battery died a couple of times, would that lower the battery's capacity to hold voltage.
I mean to the level where stock power would be to much for it to handle

no, it wouldnt have enough power to start the car
unless you had to keep jumping it
that would damge it

[turbo1013]

Originally Posted by phil2park2

how many amps does a stock pt cruisers alternator put out at an idle, and how many does it put out when you rev the engine also

should be aroung 60 at idel
around 120 at operating speeds
should not go much higher than 120

and shold hang around 14-15 volts

[phil2park2]

thanks, i dropped 200 on a deep cycle battery and i wanted to know would this prevent the problem from occuring again, this is the second time the pt has been in the shop for this kind of proiblem, the first time it just burned out the ignition fuse , this time it burned part of the harness, and it really has me worried, have you seen this problem before, and what would you suggest i do

[turbo1013]

Originally Posted by phil2park2

thanks, i dropped 200 on a deep cycle battery and i wanted to know would this prevent the problem from occuring again, this is the second time the pt has been in the shop for this kind of proiblem, the first time it just burned out the ignition fuse , this time it burned part of the harness, and it really has me worried, have you seen this problem before, and what would you suggest i do

a.
if you are constanly draning the battery,
that could cause the wires to over heat when you try starting it
not very likely though,
, b
voltage regulator is faulty,

[phil2park2]

soooooo i might need to replace my alt is what you are sayin...... i forgot to say the car has shut down on me while i was driving both times..... I would be going down the road when the car would just jerk forward and the engine would shut off

[turbo1013]

Originally Posted by phil2park2

soooooo i might need to replace my alt is what you are sayin...... i forgot to say the car has shut down on me while i was driving both times..... I would be going down the road when the car would just jerk forward and the engine would shut off

well thats a bit important,
how do yo restart it,
key it,,, then its a wire conection problem, ,, tighten and clean the battery
terminals, and check all the conections you made to the system,


or do you have to jump it
then its an alternator, and mostlikely a voltage regulator, or an internal problem
,
ps, the car is not jerking forward,
its your own momentum,
pusshing you forward out of the seat,,
like the car is hitting the brakes,
except you werent expecting it,