Do I need a capacitor?

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Mikeyman1978

Member - Posts: 13

Joined: April 08, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 1:34 AM / IP Logged

Hi there this is my first post as i hear its best place to get help. Ok heres the system ill be putting in my car

2 JL W'10s in a bandpass box

Mono VPower Alpine(to power the sub) [MRP-M350]

JL 6.5 components (TR 650csi)

JL 5.25 (TR 525cxi)

4 VPower Channel Alpine amp( to power the 4 speakers) [MRP-F240]

JVC KD-S890 mp3 player

Now my question is DO i need a farad capacitor for this system? or will my car be fine without it

thanks

aggie altima

Silver - Posts: 298

Joined: July 25, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 1:44 AM / IP Logged

With that amount of power, you shouldn't need a capacitor.

Jon

Don't like rockford subs? Then don't look at my car =)

xtreamcc

Silver - Posts: 467

Joined: March 24, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 2:21 AM / IP Logged

I'd have to agree, your not pushing over whelming power so I dont really think you'd need it. I usually dont recomend a cap unless your pushing over 6-800 watts or your lights start dimming.

"Shiny chrome when used in conjunction with bikini models is particularly effective in inducing brain deficit disorder"

02 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Monster System on its way.

Mikeyman1978

Member - Posts: 13

Joined: April 08, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 10:37 AM / IP Logged

Ok that sounds good saves me some more money, ill know in about 5 more days when its all installed if my lights dim, cannot wait to get it all in.

Thanks Guys

Mike

southside

Copper - Posts: 220

Joined: March 08, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 10:56 AM / IP Logged

even if your lights start dimming your best bet is to get a bigger alt. that will give u more power than a cap. cuz even with the cap your alt has to work that much harder to supply the cap with power. plus all the car needs as well. so if that happ just get a bigger alt.

southsider

Mikeyman1978

Member - Posts: 13

Joined: April 08, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 11:18 AM / IP Logged

Yes but wouldnt it be cheaper to get a cap rather than a new alternator? I can buy a cap off of ebay for pretty cheap but new alts cost $100's

southside

Copper - Posts: 220

Joined: March 08, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 11:35 AM / IP Logged

it would be cheaper now yes. but after a while u will have to replace the alt because u require too much power for your alt to put out. you will fry a couple of alt. until u get a bigger one that can handleputting that much power out all the time. u can get a cap it does help but in the long run u will more trouble if u don't get a bigger alt than getting a cap. i thought that a cap would help to. search the forum an there alot of people that asked about caps an all will say what i'm am suggesting to u. getting an alt will be your best bet down the road. but it's all up to u though. best of luck.

southsider

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 11:42 AM / IP Logged

Southside is right on, a cap is NEVER the way to solve the problem of your alternator not being able to keep up with system demand. A stiffening capacitor is designed to help an amplifier maintain power output by dampening the small voltage ripples caused by demand spikes when your system is operating near peak output. A capacitor WILL NOT, under any circumstances, increase your system voltage nor increase system current capacity beyond what the alternator can supply. In every case, if you are installing a system that will demand more amps from your alternator than it can produce, you need to upgrade the alternator.

Would a capacitor help your system? Maybe. Is it necessary? No.

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southside

Copper - Posts: 220

Joined: March 08, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 2:30 PM / IP Logged

i learn from the best :)

southsider

metalgear

Member - Posts: 6

Joined: April 08, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 08, 2004 at 7:29 PM / IP Logged

Heh, i have a cap hooked up to my vehicle and my lights still dim.

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