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-   -   does it really matter where you put the cap?? (https://www.caraudioforumz.com/general-discussion-10/does-really-matter-where-you-put-cap-3387/)

t money 08-09-2004 12:40 PM

i was under the impression that you should put the cap as possible(i know a lot of you don't like caps but i had good luck with them in the past).Now my friend installed my cap just before the distroblock not after it.It is still the same distance from the bass amp, but should the cap have been put after the distro block or does it really matter? Also, when my car is running my digital cap will read 12.40 volts but after 30 minutes it will read 14.33 volts, is there a problem with the voltage regulater in the altenator? any helps is appreciated and sorry this is long

Bigmike216 08-09-2004 01:26 PM

I install mine as far away as to leave them on the shelf in the store. :D

But, the theory is that you should have the shotest distance possible betweem the cap and the amp. The shorter the better.

t money 08-09-2004 02:00 PM

i know, i know a lot of you don;t use them, but like i said i had good luck with using them, also i wanted a digital voltmeter as well so i killed two birds with one stone.I just wanted to know if its o.k that its before the distro block.Also, anyone knokw why my voltage reads 12.40 with the car on and after 20 minutes of driving its shows 14.33? any help is appreciated

Nissan Guy 08-09-2004 02:18 PM

my guess would be that after your battery has started your car, it's a little low, then it charges after driving. After the battery charges there is no load on your alt... maybe get your battery load tested, and make sure it's not dying.
Also, I'd say get the cap as close to the sub amp as possible.

mycyl 08-09-2004 02:21 PM

yea u want it after the distroblock that way its only runnin ur "bass" amp. mine has a 2"wire runnin from it to the amp
if you put it before the block, ur runnin the block off of it so its runnin whatever else ur block is.

[ August 09, 2004, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: mycyl ]

ChrisB 08-09-2004 02:59 PM

Regardless if it is before or after the distroblock it will be connected to both amps.

MitekCAKyle 08-09-2004 06:31 PM

T_Money, your cap should Always be as close to your amp as possible. (I.E if you could shove the caps terminals inside the amp it would be best) If you place the cap before the distro block you have for the most part nullified the use of the cap.

A cap can be usefull in the proper application. The unfortunate thing about caps is they are one of the most misunderstood pieces in Audio, which is why over 90% of caps I see on the street today or at shows are not properly installed to achieve any benifit.

Also do not fuse the cap. hope that helps [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Derek Jerome 08-09-2004 06:47 PM

and don't buy a cap with a volt meter since it ups the ESR enough to make the cap nothing more than a sueless bling item with a volt meter

ESR must be 0.003 ohms or less to be of any use

my 3 1 farad caps are all properly mounted in a rubbermaid container in the shed ........ [img]smile.gif[/img]

Speakerman 08-09-2004 10:46 PM

idealy it is said that a cap should be mounted within 18 inches of the amplifier. although no matter where you put it a cap with still be tied in to your while electrical system. (it will help you start your truck even). But try to stay away from them. get a stinger yellow top or something and throw it back there where you wanna put the cap. I have 4 caps and they really don't do ****. I've about to get 2 stinger yello-tob batteries to replace them-hope that will be sufficient.

t money 08-10-2004 08:49 AM

i do have the cap(it does have a digital read out but it is 20 volt/and 24 volt surge) mounted as close to the bass amp as possible, however its before the distro block.Now because only the bass amps draws current on heavy bass notes i was told its o.k to be before the distro block since the voltage doesn't really drop from my mids and highs amp.Also anyone know why my voltage shows 12.40 when the car is on then 20 minutes after will show 14.36.i use a yellow top as well.It didn't do that before and the battery light in my car doesn't go on(to indicate a bad altenator) so i'm not sure if the altenators voltage regulator is bad.thanks for all the help and anymore help especially on the voltage drop is appreciated


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