Dagan8

Hello

I've just finished purchasing all the bits to put together my entry level SQ setup.
I ended up with an Audison 1.3f CAP. The issue is getting the CAP to physically fit near my amp since I'm doing a stealthy under seat install. I'm starting to wonder if I really need a cap for my install after all.

Maybe someone with more experience in this area could let me know.

Here are the components I have:

Alpine CDA-9887 HU
Audison Srx1 (1X300rms) Amplifier w/Hertz Audio 10" es250d sub
Audison Srx4 (Bridged to 2X150rms) Amplifier w/Focal Access 6.5" components
AudisonConnection wiring

I'm upgrading to an Optima redtop and adding more grounds from battery to chassis.

Do I need the cap?

trebor

Need it......no. Being a SQ setup I would want one. As long as the ESR of that cap is between .001 and .003 it will be beneficial for use, even if it isn't mounted right next to your amp....but as you know, close to your amps would be better.

97'scort

What kind of current is your alternator putting out? If you're overdrawing the alternator significantly at higher volumes, the cap will help band-aid that a little bit. The big help will be if you need to filter the power a bit to remove some noise.

Your other option is to upgrade your alternator to get a bit more juice.

JohnVroom

I seriously do not think you need a cap, especially after looking at your system. Upgrading the wiring, and upgrading the battery should be plenty for an SQ system with only 600 watts. A cap only puts out a tiny fraction of the power of the battery for a couple milliseconds. I think a cap has a place in YOUR system but if it dont fit dont sweat it, lets call it a nice thing to have.

Dagan8

Thanks for all the advice. Since my system is not drawing a whole lot of power and my CAP is a 1.3farad(Maybe overkill? not sure about the ESR)
Would it still have some positive effect if mounted further away from the amps? Say 6 feet? I might have a spot to mount it there.

Tom.F.1

iTrader: (1)

i couldn't fit my caps close to distribution block, they've got about 5 feet of 0 ga. wire to and from each.
Works fine.

The way to test if you need an amp, is measuring the voltage while your gf turns up the volume. If the voltage goes down a little at high volume, a cap might help. measure at the fused distribution block.

140 amp alt, Car running on idle, Without the caps and stereo off 13.8V
turn up the volume to 25, volts dropped to 12.5

added 2 caps. 1f and 2f.

Same test, same setup, same volume, same song, voltage was 13.2

Superjester

"A cap's main purpose was to deliever BASS on time and stop dimming the headlights."

Or so they say when being sold. However after reading some proven point's on this site...Sometime's you gotta think again. Most people have there thought's and opinions.
Mine...I have a 1F streetwire cap on my system
Mind you I am only running 2 JL's. But it never hurt's to have a cap if you have one lying around. so far nothing messed up and nor do I have any complaints.

What I would do if you are still iffing and awwing is to

STEP 1. UPGRADE the wire first, This meaning *In a echo deep voice* THE BIG 3!!!! or possibly something better (Check your local Forums) on grounding wireing (also the alt to battery wire). This make's a BIG difference on EVERYTHING on your car from starting it up to a better response rate. You can get kit's available...I would rather buy some Welder's wire and Gold plated loop hole's and Ground everything that I could (Once again, Check your Forums... There was a very good wright up on the 7th gen civic forum so I got lucky) if not you can always ask around

STEP 2. Still not happy? Well then next thing I would do is upgrade to a Red or Yellow top battery

Step 3. Possibly the alt, This can get expensive...if you can find someone that know's there alt's and possibly even have it rebuilt stronger. I did, for 50$ and 3 year's and still running strong. ....Okay so I also knew the guy too..But still!

Step 4. Cap that sh|t then if you wanna be on the safe side.

Without delivering the right amount of power, How can your cap even get full? plus I would do all of this just to avoid future problems.

Other then that, If you want to Cap it without the rest of the steps...well like the post above say's It's basically a Band-Aid, But it will never Heal

trebor

The more the better, you can't have too much. The ESR needs to be between .001-.003 to reap any benefits though.

Yes!

Dagan8

Thanks Trebor

I finally found the ESR rating for my CAP.

Documentation claims < .0015.

If I can't get it to fit right beside the amp I won't sweat it too much.

cruiseoveride

Capacitors will not allow you to overdraw your source. Don't think by putting a 5farad capacitor in your car will allow you to use 20 amplifiers.

Capacitors will allow you to buffer sudden demands for high current. Which is typical of bass amps. When a track suddenly kicks the bass, it will put sudden stress on your car's electrical system. But if you have a capacitor, the extra juice is taken from there.

Think of capacitors like shock absorbers, and bumpy roads like a dance track. The more demanding the song (the more bumpy the road), the larger a capacitor your going to need (softer suspension).