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old_skool 
Member - Posts: 15
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Joined: June 21, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: December 07, 2006 at 7:22 PM / IP Logged  
I have roughly a 800 watt system with a 1 farad capacitor.  I am still getting a my voltmeter fluctuating and lights dimming (even with short thumps). The cap doesn't seem to be doing anything. I was wondering if a 5 farad capacitor would help store more energy. I really don't want to get another battery. Alternator is OEM 130amp.
haemphyst 
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Joined: January 19, 2003
Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island
Posted: December 07, 2006 at 9:42 PM / IP Logged  
No, a cap will not fix what you are describing... Should have taken your mony and added a higher current alternator, and upgraded your underhood wiring.
Caps don't help, generally. PERIOD.
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
aznboi3644 
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Joined: May 01, 2006
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Posted: December 07, 2006 at 11:28 PM / IP Logged  
Your cap is doing exactly what it is supposed to...NOTHING
Sorry but a cap won't help a weak charging system...do what haem said and upgrade your big three and alternator possibly
dafreakinrican0 
Member - Posts: 6
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Joined: December 07, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: December 08, 2006 at 12:07 AM / IP Logged  

Definately do the BIG 3 and possibly a H/O alternator. I would think with 800 watts going on a stock 130 amp alternator, the BIG 3 would be enough. Just my 2 cents...

old_skool 
Member - Posts: 15
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Joined: June 21, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: December 08, 2006 at 6:14 AM / IP Logged  
What if I upgrade my alternator to a 200amp. Will a bigger cap store more energy then or the cap is just not gonna get me anywhere?
aznboi3644 
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Posted: December 08, 2006 at 3:48 PM / IP Logged  
Dude a cap is going to get you no where...a bigger alternator will definitely help..but you will not be able to get the full potential out of your electrical system without upgrading the big three
cmrs2k 
Member - Posts: 16
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Joined: November 21, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: December 08, 2006 at 3:58 PM / IP Logged  

I have to agree with the anti-capacitor notion.  I have never seen the positive effects that they are supposed to have, but I have seen them do nothing or do some harm.  Forget the 5 farad cap, I still have one that is holding down a shelf in my garage.  A treasure from time and money poorly spent.  Other than the digital voltage display, it has, it never helped me at all. 

Chris R.
murree 
Member - Posts: 8
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Joined: December 04, 2006
Location: Canada
Posted: December 14, 2006 at 10:49 AM / IP Logged  

i'm running about 1400watts max (400mx in my 4 channel, 1000max for my subs) in my 02 cavalier  on stock alternator and just a normal battery that i bought from costco, i've got a stinger 1 farad in my power line before my distro block.  and i'm not having any head light diming issues....

haemphyst 
Platinum - Posts: 5,054
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Joined: January 19, 2003
Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island
Posted: December 14, 2006 at 11:23 AM / IP Logged  
murree wrote:

i'm running about 1400watts max (400mx in my 4 channel, 1000max for my subs) in my 02 cavalier  on stock alternator and just a normal battery that i bought from costco, i've got a stinger 1 farad in my power line before my distro block.  and i'm not having any head light diming issues....

I can promise you, it is NOT because you have a crap... Remove it, and I think you'll find that you have exactly the same performance in your audio system, and your electrical system will still have no issues.
The reason you are not having any "head light dimming issues" is one of two reasons:
1: Your electrical system is already up to the challenge of your (apparently WAY over-rated) audio system. You didn't specify any manufacturer names, so I can't actually say HOW much overrated your amps are, but my guess is Boss or Audiobahn. If you don't know the RMS rating of the amp, then the manufacturer is a misleading company, and one that I would always avoid. Stating ONLY max ratings sounds like Boss, Audiobahn, Kenford, Rockwood... ANY of the Swap-o-Rama specials.
2: Your system is NOT REALLY rated at what it claims (i.e. overrated). You say a total of 1400 watts, but you specify MAX power. Max power is at a MINIMUM (depending on the manufaturer) twice (I have seen maximim ratings stated as high as 4 times the RMS power capabilities of the amplifier) the RMS power of a system, meaning you are only using (around) 30 to 40A on a relatively consistent basis, and that is only if you are cranking it, BUT still keeping your outputs short of severe clipping.
Again, I will tell you, the cap is probably doing precious LITTLE to absolutely NOTHING in your system...
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
killer sonata 
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Joined: May 17, 2006
Posted: December 15, 2006 at 10:10 AM / IP Logged  
cap = bad, big 3 + upgraded battery and alternator = good
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