Could someone tell me the significance of a "cap" in a stereo setup. Someone told me it was just for keeping the headlights dimming on GM cars and helps take some load off the altenator. Could someone else give me some input? Thanks.
Well your partially right.. What they do is they help give your amps a constant flow of power by keeping power saved up in them.. like a battery. This way if your battery goes dead or alt goes out your not going to ruin any of your equipment. These are normally installed for multi amp or high current drawing systems instead of adding a beefier Alt or battery. They also might install if the car is older to help with the current draw of an amp. Personally if you have 2 amps i would recommend them.. but after getting a Optima battery.
a high output alternator should be the first thing you buy if you have power problems. caps just create an extra load for your altnernator to charge and don't help your amp's much.
Prophit:
Here is Crutchfield.com's answer to what a cap is - Capacitor
Heavy-duty capacitors act as a buffer zone between your amp and your car's electrical system. They store up a reservoir of power, which can supply the amplifier's peak demands (like a kick drum beat) without having to get additional current from the battery. All amplifiers have built-in capacitors, though high-performance amps use larger, more effective ones. External capacitors connect to the power cable just before it reaches your amplifier.