capacitors
03-02-2008, 11:03 PM
#2
how many watts rms are you running total
i cap is mostly only good for systems 500rms and down.
before you do anything i would do the big three
upgrade your grounds and alt output wire under the hood.
if you are running 500rms and up then a battery in the back is gonna be the best.
if you are 1200rms and up you might want to look in to geting a HO alt
i cap is mostly only good for systems 500rms and down.
before you do anything i would do the big three
upgrade your grounds and alt output wire under the hood.
if you are running 500rms and up then a battery in the back is gonna be the best.
if you are 1200rms and up you might want to look in to geting a HO alt
03-02-2008, 11:22 PM
#3
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 60
I agree.
If your driving a japanese car your alternator may very well be the weakest link, next is most likely the battery if it's older.
Amps actually have a "capacitive stage" where they store some juice for thier transistors. I've always argued that a cap is what you need when you can't admit your alternator isn't up to the task, but there is still a time and place for them.
basically if you run a smaller system (400W - 800W) on a jap alt it's a good investment.
If your driving a japanese car your alternator may very well be the weakest link, next is most likely the battery if it's older.
Amps actually have a "capacitive stage" where they store some juice for thier transistors. I've always argued that a cap is what you need when you can't admit your alternator isn't up to the task, but there is still a time and place for them.
basically if you run a smaller system (400W - 800W) on a jap alt it's a good investment.
03-03-2008, 04:09 PM
#4
I would spend the money on a good battery first... but there is no replacment for a cap.... it's up to you to decide if it's worth it...
^ Thats not accurate (with the only exception being the RF 15K amp)... The caps used in the powersupply of an amp are there to filter switching noise, and have no significant storage capacity beond that...
^ Thats not accurate (with the only exception being the RF 15K amp)... The caps used in the powersupply of an amp are there to filter switching noise, and have no significant storage capacity beond that...
03-03-2008, 10:00 PM
#6
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 60
I would spend the money on a good battery first... but there is no replacment for a cap.... it's up to you to decide if it's worth it...
Originally Posted by rorybreaker
Amps actually have a "capacitive stage" where they store some juice for thier transistors.
^ Thats not accurate (with the only exception being the RF 15K amp)... The caps used in the powersupply of an amp are there to filter switching noise, and have no significant storage capacity beond that...
Originally Posted by rorybreaker
Amps actually have a "capacitive stage" where they store some juice for thier transistors.
^ Thats not accurate (with the only exception being the RF 15K amp)... The caps used in the powersupply of an amp are there to filter switching noise, and have no significant storage capacity beond that...
I've seen 200Wrms dim the headlights on a 93 civic, so I think it COULD help, but only if the stock alt is wimpy.
Last edited by rorybreaker; 03-03-2008 at 10:03 PM. Reason: quotes are wierd
03-03-2008, 10:14 PM
#7
big 3 for sure first, i have stock alt and 1000amp battery and had dimming on stock wiring, as soon as i just upgraded battery (-) to chassis all dimming went away, then i finished off the other 2, of course after about a half hour of full volume everything started dimming like a ****, then the system shut off, i need a new alt 
but i can't afford it yet.
but i can't afford it yet.
03-24-2008, 11:09 AM
#8
Bringing this thread back up for some more advice 
I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan
2x 12" Audiobahn 1000w DVC
1x Kicker KX400.1
1x RF Punch 100a2
4 awg Wiring
Would I be best putting $40 bucks in for a used cap or spend more money on a battery/alt? I don't notice a large drop in the lights, and I've had it high volume, high bass for over an hour no issues.
Another question in regards to wiring a cap, does it have to go on the mainline as I have a distribution block that splits to each amp. Can I put it on the direct line for the amp?
I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan
2x 12" Audiobahn 1000w DVC
1x Kicker KX400.1
1x RF Punch 100a2
4 awg Wiring
Would I be best putting $40 bucks in for a used cap or spend more money on a battery/alt? I don't notice a large drop in the lights, and I've had it high volume, high bass for over an hour no issues.
Another question in regards to wiring a cap, does it have to go on the mainline as I have a distribution block that splits to each amp. Can I put it on the direct line for the amp?
03-24-2008, 11:34 AM
#9
direct line for the amp, as its supposed to be within 14" of the amp or something like that, but as usual big three upgrade is recommended, and your probably better off spending your money on getting your charging system back up to par as opposed to sticking a band aid in it...
