Debate, Stiffening Capacitors

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aznboi3644

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This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: May 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 15, 2007 at 8:36 PM / IP Logged

Even if you had a 1000 farad cap with a stock alt...the internal resistance of the cap would be fairly high compared to a 1 farad electrolytic cap. It would put a pretty big strain on the alternator(stock). After the capacitance was drained the voltage would be down and the alt would be fried pretty quick.

You're answer is NOT the final answer

sparky3489

Member - Posts: 26

Joined: August 26, 2003

Posted: May 16, 2007 at 11:50 AM / IP Logged

aznboi3644 wrote:

that wouldn't be a 4 volt GAIN. It would be your normal voltage not dropping so low

Soooo... it's a gain. If something falls normally and you implement a device that gives something back, that's a GAIN. I'm gaining back my lost voltage!!!

I've notice a LOT of people miss the fact that a cap doesn't completely drain during a high current draw. It sustains the voltage from dropping out, hence the name stiffening cap.

I will say that a cap IS NOT for all situations, but in my case, it's making a drastic improvement.

aznboi3644

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Joined: May 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: May 16, 2007 at 4:10 PM / IP Logged

a cap DOES drain...thats why the voltage will still drop

sparky3489

Member - Posts: 26

Joined: August 26, 2003

Posted: May 16, 2007 at 7:53 PM / IP Logged

aznboi3644 wrote:

a cap DOES drain...thats why the voltage will still drop

Well now that's strange. My oscilloscope says otherwise as does the dispaly on my cap. My equipment must totally wrong. Debate, Stiffening Capacitors - Page 4 -- posted image.

No, a cap does not FULLY drain, but it does drop about 0.7 of a volt though.

aznboi3644

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Location: United States

Posted: May 16, 2007 at 11:08 PM / IP Logged

how come in my friends system with two caps his idle voltage is at 14 volts and when the bass hits hard and long the voltage drops down to 12 volts even 11 volts sometimes???

jmelton86

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Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: May 16, 2007 at 11:27 PM / IP Logged

I have a 650wrms system (I know, don't laugh!). 75amp max (fuses added together). *Factory 105amp alt, 2 yellowtops, cap, Big3 -In that order.

-Headlights dimmed before and after cap install (before Big3) the same. Voltage dropped .5-1 volt before and after cap install (*before Big3). I'm glad I got it for free!

Voltage now only drops .1-.5 volts and headlights never dim after Big3. -C(r)ap didn't do anything!

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

speedwayaudio1

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Joined: March 18, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: May 17, 2007 at 3:32 PM / IP Logged

Keep beating that horse it should die before to long.

Big Dave

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Big Dog

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Joined: May 02, 2002

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: May 17, 2007 at 3:47 PM / IP Logged

I just noticed the post and thought to myself, "Oh my God! Not the cap debate!!!" . . . again!

A cap will work on a poorly or unregulated amplifier power supply. It will help in some cases but make no difference at all in others. It does serve a purpose which can be proven by the fact that most if not all amps have an on-board cap bank.

I personally don't have one in my car but we have a 15 farad on the test bench.

I agree with Big Dave, after 27 years in the business, I knew this horse would raise it's ugly head in defiance of mortal wounds.

Prepare your future. It wasn't the lack of stones that killed the stone age.

jmelton86

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Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: May 18, 2007 at 2:30 AM / IP Logged

Big Dog wrote: A cap will work on a poorly or unregulated amplifier power supply. It will help in some cases but make no difference at all in others. It does serve a purpose which can be proven by the fact that most if not all amps have an on-board cap bank.

I personally don't have one in my car but we have a 15 farad on the test bench.

*Why use a cap on a test bench? It's plugged in to the wall - the power supply is more stable/reliable than that of a mobile power supply, right?

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

Big Dog

Gold - Posts: 1,265

Joined: May 02, 2002

Location: Quebec, Canada

Posted: May 18, 2007 at 12:29 PM / IP Logged

Correct. But I have a battery, charger, cap setup for the bench...simply because I had 'em.

A well built power supply can be the price of a small car.

Prepare your future. It wasn't the lack of stones that killed the stone age.

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