MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Sound System for MGA

Does anyone have any input on how many Watts a standard MGA Dynamo (generator) can afford to give to a modern sound system? I don't want to wear down the battery just to listen to my tunes. Also, if you can recommend a sound system that is easy to install (preferably hidden from view) with good sound quality that would be greatly appreciated. Note that my car is already converted to negative ground.

Happy Motoring
Dave Simes
1958 MGA
Dave Simes

David, don't think that my Lucas 8-track tape player qualifies as a sound system (it did in the 60's), but at 9 watts of output, I can actually hear it at driving speed with the top down! Hardly a dent to the generator's output.//nk


N Kopernik

Dave,
Check the archives, as there is quite a bit on MGA audio. If I recall, however, the prevailing opinion was something to the effect of removing the radio because you can't hear it anyways.
mike parker

Best noise you can get out of an MGA is a throaty exhaust note. Why spoil it with music?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Wattage is equal to voltage multiplied by current. If you pick up a 35Wx4 stereo it should consume 136 watts of power at peak. 136W / 12V = 11.3A of max draw. I don't know what the generator output is, but I'm guessing probably 30A. So if you listened to your stereo at max volume at night with your halogen high beams on, you may be pushing that generator a bit.

That's not firsthand since I run an alternator. I like halogens, stereos, and accessories so I decided the alternator was my best option.

Mark
Mark J Michalak

I wonder if it is possible to get an automotive stereo that doesn't have a tape player, cd, radio, or anything else besides a way to hook up an Ipod. Basically, just an amp and some speakers. Then all that would have to be visible would be controls for power and volume. Stuff like fader, balance, and the place to hook up the Ipod could remain hidden from view. I'm not sure if anything like this exists, but it should.
Del Rawlins

Hi Dave - I'm with Steve on this - no ICE in mine either - although I do have an early Radiomobile which I may fit. Mike - the 35W is music power output, not electrical power consumption - I wouldn't expect a modern sound system to take more than an amp or two. Del there are a number of systems that use the outer case of an old radio but have been converted to take an Ipod or MP3 input. Cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Moss is selling a neat but expensive smaller unit that has a USB input for a Ipod. It also has a remote. I was thinking of hanging it up under the dash and utilizeing the remote to change stations and volume. The usb wire would hang down allowing Ipod to lay on the tunnel. Just a thought!
WMR Bill

I used to have a 50-watt output radio. Speakers could be connected either 2x25w or 4x12.5w. 50 watt output would draw about 60 watts input, which is 5-amps at 12-volts. The 22-amp generator was pretty well tapped out running all original lights and accessories. If you want to use some radio and/or amplifiers with more than 4 or 5-amps power draw you should plan on installing an alternator.
Barney Gaylord

Del

That^s what I have installed. I use a remote amp hidden away up under the dash, ad an iPod dock hidden in the ashtray between the gearstick and the armrest.

I took all it out to fit the J&S Safeguard last year, and haven't got round to putting it back in yet, because the old speakers were rubbish and got in the way of another mod (special knurled knobs to allow removal of the standard screen to fit a racing screen without needing any tools).

The plan is to make a new speaker mounting from some plastic tube, that will sit underneath the dashboard supports and be invisible, yet still provide a reasonable degree of soundbox for the speakers. It has to be loud because the amount being pushed out of the exhaust is rather more than a standard car....it's much louder.

But there are other things to do before I get round to that.....
dominic clancy

Don't get me wrong, I'm in the camp that feels that music in an MGA is kind of a waste, and am planning to get the original tube radio refurbished, if possible.
Del Rawlins

I have gone thru this mental exercise also and always came back to the recognition that I won't hear it at 50 mph with all the exhaust and wind noise anyway. Good luck.
Bill Haglan

Thanks to everyone that has commented so far. I think that I will look for an mini-amp for use with an Ipod that using no more than 4 Amps input (60 Watts) and can be hidden under the dash. I will let you know how it works out.

All the best, Dave
Dave Simes

Hi Dave,

I would have thought Radioshack or someone similar would be able to supply you with the Amp and other bits and pieces.

But I do have a question: where are your speakers mounted?

I was thinking of making a wooden battery cober and having two speakers there, as I don't really want them in the doors.

Any thoughts? Cheers,

Grant :-)
G Hudson

Make sure that the amp input is sensitive enough for an iPod output - it seems be less than 50 ohm.
dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 25/01/2009 and 27/01/2009

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.