Capacitors

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=60278
Printed Date: May 10, 2024 at 1:39 AM

Topic: Capacitors

Posted By: action1978
Subject: Capacitors
Date Posted: July 28, 2005 at 1:38 PM

If you go to www.bcae1.com (which I see referenced in here a lot)

click #19 on the right (installation primer) then scroll down to the section called "Misinformation & Ignorance" and read item #8

It says a capacitor is basically useless, that if it keeps the headlights from dimming it is a "placebo effect"

What is meant by this? Will a capacitor help or not?

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: JAydawg21
Date Posted: July 28, 2005 at 2:27 PM

I think what he is saying here is that it has not yet been poven. Depending on your level of sophistication when it comes to electrical theory, it may be helpful to read that whole section on capacitance. Personally, i bought a cap way back when i installed my first system. If i had to do it over i probably would have reconsidered. I feel it to be a good thing to have, but moeny could be better spent else where. Ideally, at times of high current draw from your amp, the cap would discharge and make up for the inaddequicy of the batt and alt. But he makes a good point in saying if the batt drops voltage, the cap will just discharge to the battery till either the battery comes back up to voltage or the cap discharges to the batts low voltage. Never really thought of it from that perspective but it makes sense!

Basically, my 2 cents: It will def. help filter and regulate the dc voltage to your amp reducing ripple frequency, BUT, that doesnt neccesarily do squat for your system. You be the judge.

ANYONE with thoughts on this or solid electrical theory, PLEASE post posted_image

-------------
'97 Jeep Cherokee sport
subs: JL 12w3v2 : RF 500a2 :
RF 1F capacitor
doors: 6" Diamond D361i -> RF 200a4

Posted By: Masta N
Date Posted: July 28, 2005 at 2:39 PM

It seems to me that caps did more back in the old days, well actually on the amps made back then, than they do now. If you open up one of those old amps(especially a mid line one), that the capacitors on the board were tiny. A modern amp, however has caps which are of a much larger size. Once again this could be a placebo efect. I cannot tell, my headlamps dim when I turn on my windshield wipers...but that is because of underdrive pulleys.