BMW i3 DIY Amplifier Installation
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Here is how I installed my amplifiers in my BMW i3. Routing the power and ground cables is probably the hardest part so I hope this is to help if you are considering doing this.
-- Audio is doubled at 14.48, tried to write subtitles for it so pick the English, not automated subtitle. --
The speaker cables leading out of the HU (on the NON Harman Kardon) are as follows:
Black & Brown THICKEST = Negative front left kick panel speaker
Black & Red THICKEST = Positive front left kick panel speaker
Black & Brown MEDIUM = Negative front left door speaker
Black & Red MEDIUM = Positive front left door speaker
Blue & Brown THICKEST = Negative front right kick panel speaker
Blue & Red THICKEST = Positive front right kick panel speaker
Blue & Brown MEDIUM = Negative front right door speaker
Blue & Red MEDIUM = Positive front right door speaker
Here is an awesome guide that explains more about the HU and replacing the speakers in the kick panel:
www.mybmwi3.com...
Thank you so much for showing the panel removal steps!
Takeaway from this vide - things NOT to DIY. Great work!
Okej, what do you think I should have done differently? Is it the drilling through the carbon fiber chassi that felt a bit... Sketchy? Always good with feedback and opinions.
@@BasinBjorn I have no clue. I think you did awesome. Your projects are inspiring, but this one just made me realize my own limitations :D
Great video! Thanks! Also, at 14:47 the audio is doubled up and cannot understand.
Thanks for letting me know! Yeah I messed that up somehow, I wrote subtitles for the video, and especially for that part, so it should be easier to understand.
Basically at 14.47 I were talking about heat under the backseat and how I made a ventilation hole through one of the cupholders in the backseat. I cut out the bottom of it, but left a 4-5mm lip so i could place a grill in there so things wouldn't fall in. Later I added a small (I think 50-60mm) DC fan on the inside, just to blow out the hot air. The fan works good but got a bit loud for my taste.
Anyhow, in the summer my drinks were getting hot by being in the cupholders in the backseat, I were getting that much heat buildup. Nothing failed though. But extra ventilation were good.
Thanks for putting this on line, lots of useful tips here. Are you happy with the outcome and is it significantly better than the standard i3 system. Does the power usage make any difference to your range or is it insignificant.
As far as range it makes almost no difference at all, so that's good! I believe it used about 8 amps (measured with a clamp meter a while back) in moderate volume and the Voltage is about 14. So that makes 14*8 = 112w. Or 0,112 kW. My consumption driving is about 1.5-2.1 kWh per 10km (summer/winter) so I'd guess it's reasonable? 5.3-7.5% increase in consumption.
Soundwise I think it's good! But hard to remember what it sounded like before. If I were doing it again I would skip the center tweeter and just get two regular tweeters in the A-pillers. Maybe buy better amplifiers from the start... But I still need to tune the DSPs equalizer a bit more and replace my third amplifier. So still not done. (Too many projects ongoing)
@@BasinBjorn Thanks for the detailed reply. I like the look of the Audiotec Fischer MATCH PP amps. Should be able to drive all speakers with one amp. Not as much power as yours but they are supposed to have really good sound quality and only fitting one amp is attractive. When and if I get round to it is another thing, as you say too many projects.
Why do all of this? I got power and ground from the power in the back, beneath the floor. The part that powers the 12 volt battery.
Yeah if there is a module back there downstepping to 12v then that would be easier to use. I didn't find or look for that though. But if you haven't then that sounds like a good idea on a video for YT!
Because there is 12v and ground under the backseat but that is probably not rated for enough current to supply too many amplifiers..
How has been keeping up the 12v battery?
I am planing to install extra subwoofer for my i3 harman kardon system.
No problems at all, Always just works. Never replaced or charged the 12v battery (with an external charger).
The amp load doesn't seem to be that high though.
If you are unsure, you could just get a clamp meter and check how many Amps it's pulling
so the ground is connected to the battery’s negative terminal?
Yes, since the frame is plastic / carbon fiber it won't work to ground there.. or at least not optimum. On a "regular" car you could just put the ground to the steel chassi/frame.