Do I need a cap. ?
I would invest in a deep cycle battery first before ever buying a cap. Caps are marketing. You may have problems running everything at night with the a/c on. 102 amp alternators from the factory don't help. If that's the case, than look at another alternator first. But I don't think you will have any problems.
Marketing, period.
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If you knew the insane amount of markup in a stiffening cap, you'd see why every stereo shop tries to push them.
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Your car amplifier is just one of several components competing for the available power in your vehicle. For this reason, we suggest adding a stiffening capacitor to your car's electrical system. A capacitor (cap) is like a power reservoir delivering current upon demand. A cap is recommended for all medium-to-high power systems.

Affirmative! Mike, I couldn't agree with you more, nothing but marketing!

Affirmative! Mike, I couldn't agree with you more, nothing but marketing!
http://www.audioinstalls.com/126
http://www.audioinstalls.com/106
http://www.audioinstalls.com/64
and obviously, you have no idea who I am and who I work with in designing my car.
Not saying I am an all knowing expert, far from it. But I know enough to know what I'm talking about, and realize the things I don't know.
But as member of one of the largest car audio competition teams, I have the help and support of some of the brightest engineers in the industry, and even they suggested that a cap in my application was pointless.
As for the markup, I used to work for a dealer. Caps, wire, distribution blocks, etc .. are the big time money makers.
Wow man, I guess we it a nerve.. Didn't think anyone would take the choice to use or not use a cap so personal.
mike
and obviously, you have no idea who I am and who I work with in designing my car.
Not saying I am an all knowing expert, far from it. But I know enough to know what I'm talking about, and realize the things I don't know.
But as member of one of the largest car audio competition teams, I have the help and support of some of the brightest engineers in the industry, and even they suggested that a cap in my application was pointless.
what constitutes a REAL car audio enthusiast ? Because I know several top competitors that do not use caps, including the current IASCA / USAC Expert level world champion, who has been at the top of his classes for over 5 years now.
As for the markup, I used to work for a dealer. Caps, wire, distribution blocks, etc .. are the big time money makers.
Wow man, I guess we it a nerve.. Didn't think anyone would take the choice to use or not use a cap so personal.
mike
Marketing, period.
Aside from making a system install look over the top, they are 100% completely unecessary.
As to the post of PROs using them, most of the PROs use them because they are tied with a certain manufacturer that happens to sell them, so contractually they need to 'show' them, although if you do ANYTHING in SPL, you will see that NO ONE ACTUALLY USES THEM. I have competed in dB Drag Racing, USAC, and iDBL, and can tell you first-hand that the manufacturers' vehicles that had them installed, didnt have them 'installed' at all - just there for the WOW factor!


