andrew1

Im purchaseing a capacitor because i need the extra power for when my sub hits. i know alot about capacitors but im wondering if it matters what brand i buy from. since they dont have fectures and are relativly simle does it matter if i go with a nameless brand? Im looking for a digital CAP thats got atleast 2 farads. also does any1 know of a site where it says how to wire them and hook them up?
check this one out and tell me if i should get it
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

Snootch

iTrader: (3)

What is the problem you are trying to remedy with the capacitor? If you have slight voltage fluctuations, fine. A cap is the right thing to use, because it will help smooth out the current demands placed upon the car's electrical system by the amp. It doesn't matter what brand you use, because a Farad is a Farad, no matter what brand it is. However, if you problem is dimming lights, and low voltages when the bass hits, and/or are running more than 500-750 watts RMS, you will need a high-output alternator. Using a capacitor in this situation, is just a band-aid fix, and will not really help the problem much. Here's a link to a good site regarding everything technical car audio related: http://www.bcae1.com/
and the page referring to capacitors: http://www.bcae1.com/capacitr.htm
Good luck!

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

Though if you have a large enough capacity you may not need to upgrade your alternator. I had two eclipse amps in my car making about 600 rms with a 5 Farad Alumapro cap and never had an issue with voltage drops. But when I just had a regular one farad cap it did have a dimming issue.

Snootch

iTrader: (3)

How much did you spend for the 5 Farad cap though? I spent about $250 on a 200A alternator that has been built for car audio use. (cuts on at 900rpm's)

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

I think I got it for like $150 I work for a Alumapro dealer but it retails for $320.

andrew1

So it wouldnt matter if i buy a lesser name brand over a name brand? Can someone look at my link from my first post and tell me if its a good deal. Also im running a 400 watt by 4 amp to my speakers and a 800 by 1 to my one 10in sub. will a 3 farad cap be a sufficent supply of power?

WhiteBird00

iTrader: (4)

I have a non-stereo related question about caps. I have police-type strobes on my Gold Wing for when we do safety escort rides. When I'm using them my voltmeter jumps by about half a volt on each cycle (13.1 - 13.6). I'm not too worried because the volts are high enough but it's really annoying to watch the digital voltmeter bounce around like that. Can I use a cap to smooth out the draw at the strobe controller/power supply? If so, how big should I get?

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

Such a small variance like that would really be a waste to add a cap.

andrew1

Im looking for a few different site that tell of how to hook up a capacitor. Any ideas?

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

Capacitor is fairly simple youll run the power wire to your cap and then the power wire to the amp itself. Then run the groudn wire from the amp to the cap and then ground it to the vehicle. Pretty straight forward. You want to keep the cap close to the amp usually no more than 6 feet of wire away.

Snootch

iTrader: (3)

Actually READ the link I posted earlier, http://www.bcae1.com/capacitr.htm Theres instructions near the bottom of the page.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

1 farad cap is good for 1000 watts. Anything else is unused

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

Its very easy hook the - to chassy ground and hook the + inline as close to the biggest amp as possible.

maddboost

iTrader: (11)

1 farad per 1000 watts is the normal rule but not always true. I had less than 1000 watts RMS system and a 1 farad Monster Cable cap wasnt enough. Once I switched to a Alumapro 5 farad it took care of my dimming lights and low voltage issues.

VinMan2

iTrader: (1)

If you go to IASCA'S website and do some reading, somewhere in there it used to say that for every 500 watts a 1 farad cap should be used and for every 1000 watts a battery should be added. Just some extra info to check out.