Cap?
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=86819
Printed Date: April 28, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Topic: Cap?
Posted By: old_skool
Subject: Cap?
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 7:22 PM
I have roughly a 800 watt system with a 1 farad capacitor. I am still getting a my voltmeter fluctuating and lights dimming (even with short thumps). The cap doesn't seem to be doing anything. I was wondering if a 5 farad capacitor would help store more energy. I really don't want to get another battery. Alternator is OEM 130amp.
Replies:
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 9:42 PM
No, a cap will not fix what you are describing... Should have taken your mony and added a higher current alternator, and upgraded your underhood wiring.
Caps don't help, generally. PERIOD.
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 11:28 PM
Your cap is doing exactly what it is supposed to...NOTHING
Sorry but a cap won't help a weak charging system...do what haem said and upgrade your big three and alternator possibly
Posted By: dafreakinrican0
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 12:07 AM
Definately do the BIG 3 and possibly a H/O alternator. I would think with 800 watts going on a stock 130 amp alternator, the BIG 3 would be enough. Just my 2 cents...
Posted By: old_skool
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 6:14 AM
What if I upgrade my alternator to a 200amp. Will a bigger cap store more energy then or the cap is just not gonna get me anywhere?
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 3:48 PM
Dude a cap is going to get you no where...a bigger alternator will definitely help..but you will not be able to get the full potential out of your electrical system without upgrading the big three
Posted By: cmrs2k
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 3:58 PM
I have to agree with the anti-capacitor notion. I have never seen the positive effects that they are supposed to have, but I have seen them do nothing or do some harm. Forget the 5 farad cap, I still have one that is holding down a shelf in my garage. A treasure from time and money poorly spent. Other than the digital voltage display, it has, it never helped me at all. ------------- Chris R.
Posted By: murree
Date Posted: December 14, 2006 at 10:49 AM
i'm running about 1400watts max (400mx in my 4 channel, 1000max for my subs) in my 02 cavalier on stock alternator and just a normal battery that i bought from costco, i've got a stinger 1 farad in my power line before my distro block. and i'm not having any head light diming issues....
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: December 14, 2006 at 11:23 AM
murree wrote:
i'm running about 1400watts max (400mx in my 4 channel, 1000max for my subs) in my 02 cavalier on stock alternator and just a normal battery that i bought from costco, i've got a stinger 1 farad in my power line before my distro block. and i'm not having any head light diming issues....
I can promise you, it is NOT because you have a c rap... Remove it, and I think you'll find that you have exactly the same performance in your audio system, and your electrical system will still have no issues.
The reason you are not having any "head light dimming issues" is one of two reasons:
1: Your electrical system is already up to the challenge of your (apparently WAY over-rated) audio system. You didn't specify any manufacturer names, so I can't actually say HOW much overrated your amps are, but my guess is Boss or Audiobahn. If you don't know the RMS rating of the amp, then the manufacturer is a misleading company, and one that I would always avoid. Stating ONLY max ratings sounds like Boss, Audiobahn, Kenford, Rockwood... ANY of the Swap-o-Rama specials.
2: Your system is NOT REALLY rated at what it claims (i.e. overrated). You say a total of 1400 watts, but you specify MAX power. Max power is at a MINIMUM (depending on the manufaturer) twice (I have seen maximim ratings stated as high as 4 times the RMS power capabilities of the amplifier) the RMS power of a system, meaning you are only using (around) 30 to 40A on a relatively consistent basis, and that is only if you are cranking it, BUT still keeping your outputs short of severe clipping.
Again, I will tell you, the cap is probably doing precious LITTLE to absolutely NOTHING in your system... ------------- It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: December 15, 2006 at 10:10 AM
cap = bad, big 3 + upgraded battery and alternator = good
Posted By: kicker guy
Date Posted: December 15, 2006 at 11:18 AM
if you have a 130 amp alt.... the big 3 should do enough.... i upgraded my big 3 to 0awg and I am running a zx1500 on a 120 with no headlight dimming.... and guess what? no cap at all! just a good battery
Posted By: murree
Date Posted: December 15, 2006 at 4:02 PM
oh sorry forgot to put up specks... kinda new so i honestly don't know a lot about anything cept i can wire a stereo system. ... i someone told me that the stock alternator that comes in a 2002 cavalier runs at about 110amps... any one know if thats true? i also got a new battery said it was 900 cranking amps... my class d pioneer amp is 1000w max and 500 RMS while my clarion 4 channel is 400w max and 240RMS basically i don't know doodie about doodie whenit comes to technical stuff for systems... so any help is apprecitated
Posted By: specialaudio
Date Posted: December 17, 2006 at 11:07 AM
i heard that stock cavalier are just under 100 amps, you can buy one wire systems that are above...
just a quick though, is another battery better then a cap?
isnt a cap just for storing energy, so doesnt it act like another batt? ------------- 93' Cutlass
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: December 17, 2006 at 11:53 AM
caps discharge their energy quickly where as most batteries are not designed for that. a second battery is only good if you plan on running your stereo for extended periods with the engine off. it does you no good while youre driving.
Posted By: specialaudio
Date Posted: January 14, 2007 at 1:01 PM
So, if you wanted to Store more power, lets say for more opitions, acessories, etc etc... what would be the best thing?
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93' Cutlass
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: January 14, 2007 at 1:06 PM
more capacity??? I'd go with another battery
More power while your driving...bigger altnerator
Posted By: specialaudio
Date Posted: January 15, 2007 at 8:34 AM
so more or less a bigger Alt and upgrade the big 3, got it... ------------- 93' Cutlass
Posted By: specialaudio
Date Posted: January 15, 2007 at 8:35 AM
so more or less a bigger Alt and upgrade the big 3, got it... ------------- 93' Cutlass
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