Capacitors and other ideas

Hey guys, First post here. I am installing 4 jl 12 w3 d4's into my 98 dodge dakota. Im going to be running them off of two kicker zr 360's. I couldnt find what spec my alternator is but ill be working on that here soon. I have the tow package so im guessing its at least 130 amp. Anyway with the system im going to be running what size capacitor would you recomend running? Or would you do something different? Keep in mind Im on somewhat of a tight budget and would like to do this the cheapeest way I can. From what ive found a capacitor is a capacitor, so if you think otherwise let me know caps you would recomend.

Thanks

Ok now say, Im running two kicker zr 360's. max output is 800 watts said by kicker. However they can put out more power than that under the right condidtions. In any case Im going to be running two of them, what size alternator should I use? From that point what size capacitor should I use?

thanks

On the birth certificate I have here of the amplifier, it states that the amp ran at 477 watts continuosly and this was at 4 ohms. Imagine the possibility of running this same amp which is stable at 1 ohm stereo and 2 ohm mono at either one of those. I would be drawing more than 360 watts. I realize they could have ran the amplifier at 14 volts but as any kicker enthusiast knows the amps kicker makes or at least the zr series was severely underrated. The amp is a beast and can push more than what kickers saying. Just for kicks If I am running with 720 watts and my alternator is roughly 130 amps, where would I be ok going with just a farad capacitor?

On a side note I had a honda civic si which I believe that the alternator on it was at least 70 amps. I had the amp 2 12's and a farad cap hooked up and I was still getting the dim light deal when the bass hit. Is there another explanation?

Thanks for all the help

haemphyst-

Thats what Im talking about. That information you gave me is pretty much what I was looking for. It explained a heck of a lot to me. I appreciate it. On the other hand I did not have a problem yet. All of my stereo is sitting in my room waiting to get put in after I build the box. In the mean time I am getting all the information I can to make the system as flawless as possible. Instead of blindly installing my system I want to work the kinks out before I install it. See, up here (Oregon) people all over the place happen to install whatever they buy right from the stereo store. Most people I know only have the knowledge of hooking up an amp and a couple subs. The really smart ones can bridge the amp. I was there once, however I am working on learning more. This is where this forum and other installers come in. I by no means know everything. The information you gave me was excellent. It was detailed and answered a whole lot of questions.

The information I knew previous to this was that a capacitor basically charges your amplifier rapidly. Other than that I was told "a cap will make it so your lights dont dim..." BTW the alternator that was in the honda which happened to be a 91 civic which doesnt come with may power options did not have the stock alternator in it. (Among other parts that werent original)

Lastly, say I have to get a new alternator. Is there a brand/ place that I can go to and get a good alternator at a relativiley inexpensive price? On that note is there a way I can accurately caclulate the amperage I need from my alternator based on what I am using in the truck. IE amps, power everything, lights etc?

Again thanks for all the help you guys have been giving up. Its truly appreciated.

YOU KEPT SAYING YOU HAVE A 130 AMP ALTERNATOR AND YOUR PULLING 720 WATTS, THE WATTS ARE NOT WHAT YOU ARE PULLING, YOUR PULLING AMPS AWAY FROM THE ALTERNATOR.  LOOK AT YOUR AMPLIFIERS, HOW BIG AND HOW MANY FUSES DO THEY HAVE? NOW ADD THEM TOGETHER.  NOW TAKE ABOUT 75% OF THAT, THAT PROBABLY CLOSE TO WHAT YOU'LL BE PULLING FROM THE ALTERNATOR.

I HAVE A MA AUDIO HC1302, 130 x 2 @ 4ohm , 1300 x 1 @ 1/2 ohm, IT HAS 3 30AMP FUSES ON IT, SO YOU'D FIGURE IT PULLS 90 AMPS RIGHT? WRONG. I DID A TEST TO SEE ABOUT HOW MANY AMPS I'M PULLING, I REPLACED ALL 3 30 AMPS, WITH 3 20 AMPS AND CRANKED ON IT FOR A FEW HOURS, DIDN'T EVEN GET WARM. SO I'M PULLING LESS THAN 60 AMPS ON AN AMP THAT SAYS IT PULLS 90.