cap problem

I have 2 JL 12W6v2's with a 1000/1 and all jl highs and lows with a 300/4 with a 1.0 cap.  I don't think this cap is enough even with the optima yellow top and the 200amp alternator on the car.  It was said it could only handle 1000 watt systems.  I was told to get a 1.5 cap possibly a  2cap.  Anyone know a good brand (do not care about price) that has a digital read out on it.  Thanks for your help

Charles

I wouldnt really waste money on a cap as its been proven it can lower your dbs some.  Invest in an High output alternator.

Did you replace the "big 3" (wires) in your engine compartment? What gauge amp install kit did you use? Caps are overrated. Where did you get your alternator from?

To tell you the truth, the cap was given to me.  It is a rockford fosgate.  I got more for looks than anything but the 1 fared is struggling real bad.  The alternator I have is giving more than enough power but the cap can not keep up with it it seems.  The way my systems is set up the cap just looked kinda good in there you know what I mean.  The alternator is a ford alternator I got from a dealership.  To help out any I have a 98 ford mustang gt that is supercharged.  So the cap was helping out a little for when I idle but I lose pully torque when idling because I do lose some amps at lower speeds because the charder runs off of the crank.  That is another reason I got the cap. 

charles

Also I am using 2 AWG wire, maybe I should go to 1/0 AWG for that voltage loss at idle.  But the cap was helping out.  All the cable under the hood was changed out 4 AWG wire (both pos and neg).

charles

You know how some people change pulleys on things like alternators to underdrive pulleys to gain a small amount of engine power? Try going the other way if you can find one. Give that alternator some more RPMs. You've certainly got the engine power to spare. I think that'd be a far better solution than a cap. Caps can only help so much, and too much capacitance will actually raise the load on your alternator and could make things worse, especially at idle. Hey, you could always go dual alternators if you're REALLY in need of power, but you should not be needing that much at that sort of power level.

As for caps themselves, it doesn't really matter what brand because none of the audio manufacturers actually manufacture their capacitors anyway. So if you have money, you can get what you think looks pretty. If you're cheap like I am, then get what's cheap. Just make sure that the voltage is high enough (IE 20V is better than 16V, etc...)

I am suspicious about that alternator, though. I'd be doubting it even being a 140A if you're having this kind of trouble.

Your alternatormight not give you the maximum out put at idle, therefore at some driving conditions when cold and at night the charging balance on a vehicle can be negative. That measn you pulling more current out of your battery then the alternator feeds in.

I would think that your battery should compenste at some degree when you turn up the volume at idle operation. The purpose of the Cap i fought was to make sure that when you have high short term peaks to give you some additional current, but not for constant use.

I believe you need to check your system first for resistances in the amp connections, to see if there is no excessive resitance in any of your connections from the battery on to the amps.

Thanks for all the help guys I will look into all these things.

Charles