Cap is killing my battery!

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / Cap is killing my battery! (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Next Page > < Prev Topic Next Topic >

Lexx_dog

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: November 05, 2003

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 7:53 PM / IP Logged

I installed a 2 farad sting pro cap in my system and it kills my battery. I noticed that it doesnt have a remote turn on wire like all the others do. What could cause this?

Ok heres my layout.

2gauge to the trunk connected to an optima blue battery then from the bluetop to the cap then to my orion 2100hcca.

it fixed my clipping problem from my subs but it kills my battery and leaves me stranded.

any help is appreciated.

thx Lexx

customsuburb

Gold - Posts: 1,813

Joined: January 17, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 8:12 PM / IP Logged

Does your display have a digital read out? If it dosn't then you shouldn't have to have a turn on lead. Do you have an aftermarket alternator? If you don't or if your amp is too big of a load your alternator won't be able to charge your battery, your cap, and power your amp.

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 8:18 PM / IP Logged

Yep, that's what can happen. It is one reason why caps can be a waste of money. They just put extra load on yur charging system. If your sub amps were drawing down your alternator, the only real fix is a high-output alternator. Caps cannot solve "clipping problems" in subs. What do you mean by this?

Lexx_dog

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: November 05, 2003

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 8:37 PM / IP Logged

Ok the cap has a digital readout on it. My subs fade in and out when i am at 3/4 volume. It does it when the cap isnt hooked up. When the cap is hooked up it plays fine and even louder. I have the orion's gain turned 3/4 up. I really dont wanna change the alternator in a lexus. i know thats a problem waiting to happen!

lexx

RufNUSD

Copper - Posts: 184

Joined: December 10, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 8:51 PM / IP Logged

The cap is not killing your battery. Yes it is a load, but if you leave your car parked and the battery dies?? Its not your cap unless the display remains powered up after you turn the engine off. Even still I dont think it would pull more than .1 amps.

Someone pass me that bottle.

auex

Platinum - Posts: 5,041

Joined: December 23, 2002

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 9:08 PM / IP Logged

I agree with RufNUSD. Unless the dispaly is on there is no way for the cap to kill your battery. All it does is store energy. What kind of vehicle do you have?

Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Lexx_dog

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: November 05, 2003

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 9:09 PM / IP Logged

When I pull my keys out and open the trunk the cap is still displaying power. it starts dropping power immediately after I pull the keys out.

wayland1985

Silver - Posts: 353

Joined: December 31, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 9:35 PM / IP Logged

Even if the display was on, it's an LED display.....and draws close to nothing.... It shouldn't drain an entire car battery if left 12 hours.... If it is infact draining your battery, it may be because your alternator is too small. If the capacitor is drained after your playing the bass to hard, it's going to use battery power to recharge after you turn the car off.....even so, it shouldn't drain an entire battery...... Check the wires once more, maybe there's some metal to metal contact someplace along the length of the wire....

~wayland

wayland1985

Silver - Posts: 353

Joined: December 31, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 9:40 PM / IP Logged

Keep in mind too....if the ignition is off, the cap shouldn't be on. Without a turn on wire, the cap is programed to look for a greater flow in power, since alternators sent 14 volts of current....When the flow increases, the cap senses that the car is on, and powers up...... maybe you can buy a cheap circuit breaker, and mount it near the driver, where you can access it.....attach the 2 gauge wires to it, and when you want your music, turn the circuit breaker on, if you don't want the music, switch the circuit breaker off.....that way not only do you have a nice "valet" switch, so nobody can play with your tunes when it is at the shop, and you won't have any drain on the battery when you don't want it to.....

~wayland

Maxst

Silver - Posts: 866

Joined: June 06, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: February 28, 2004 at 10:40 PM / IP Logged

Upgrade the alt, and get rid of the cap.

I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.

Next Page >

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.