Farad? Capacitor?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=17678
Printed Date: July 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM

Topic: Farad? Capacitor?

Posted By: Colbrz
Subject: Farad? Capacitor?
Date Posted: August 16, 2003 at 2:56 PM

To my understanding a capicitor helps push current without drawing more as current is directed throught it. I may be wrong so please advise me. I just got off with a friend who has been spending some money but isnt quite sure how he is spending it or on what. I saw he has a Capictior one farad with both power sources on one terminal and a ground on the other. I asked if that was the way it went, he said I guess. But isn't both power sources on the same terminal not giveing him the use of this capcitor? But his digital volt reading works. So go figure.

-------------
Colbrz

Replies:

Posted By: fordfan
Date Posted: August 16, 2003 at 4:01 PM

Yes, you have your batt wire and amp wire on the + side and a wire from the - side going to ground. It would be best if you ground the cap and amp at the same place.

Posted By: JamesRH
Date Posted: August 16, 2003 at 9:44 PM

its best to ground your cap and amp at DIFFERENT locations, you can get a ground loop which can cause distortion or even a fire otherwise.

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: August 16, 2003 at 10:45 PM

A capacitor does not "help push current." It is like a "surge tank" or a storage tank in a fluid system. A capacitor charges up by drawing current off the electrical system and stores this energy until the voltage on the electrical system drops, then it discharges or "gives back" some of the stored energy to help make up the difference. So, if your sound system pulls enough current to lower the voltage on the car's electrical system, a capacitor can help keep the voltage from dropping so low that it damages something or causes your car to die, lights to dim, etc.

Does that make sense to you?