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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 02:33 PM
  #1  
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Default System Questions!

Ok, so im going to be getting a system sometime soon. Ill be running....

2 12" Rockford Fosgate Punch Series 2 Sub's
1000 Watt Rockford Amp
Box (Which slide's right into the back, im sure you guy's know which 1 im talking about)

All for a total of $660 (Include's $40 for Installation). My friend is getting this system for me. He know's a guy that has an electronic's company. So he can get system's for a lil cheaper. He also know's how to install this, so that's why the installation is at a cheap price.

Anyway's my question is this....

I bought a Rockford Fosgate Capacitor, and i was noticing that is say's it can handle system's that are upto 500 Watt's. Will this capacitor be good enough for the system ill be getting???

Also, i got the 8AWG Power Guage Amp Kit, with 16Gauge Speaker wire. Is this a good enough kit as well???
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 03:51 PM
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I would use a 4awg amp kit not an 8awg for 1000watts going to 2 12" subs. 16awg speaker wire is for short runs to door speakers. For subs a short run of 12awg. is the minimum. 10awg is preferable.
I never use caps on any of my systems. Honestly I think they are a bandaid for a poor performing electrical system. I've seen plenty of people use caps and still have issues with dimming headlights, etc. If your alternator is functioning well and you have the right gauge wire you shouldn't need a cap in the first place. Also a good upgrade to any system is the "big three" (write up on this: http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID=73496&PN=1) upgrade. This helps make your electrical system more efficient. Combine the big three with the right gauge amp wiring kit and good grounds you should not have any issues that would require the need for a capacitor assuming your electrical system is up to par.
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 04:34 PM
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1000 watts should be no problem for an f-body. I have a buddy (pentavolvo) who has done numerous 1000 watt f-bods, with no charging system upgrades necessary.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 01:21 PM
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^^^Agreed, but he shouldn't need a cap for 1000watt system either assuming all is working properly. I ran almost 1000watts on a stock alternator with 119,000 miles on it for 40,000 miles before it finally started acting funny. I would acredit that more to the mileage than the system anyway. I upgraded (alt, wiring) just for the sake of the "what if" factor as in "what if" I decide to go with more later...I can, without having to upgrade anything else.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 01:36 PM
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Big 3 should handle 99% of dimming problems in an fbody. My buddy had a high mileage ta stock alternator with big3. Runnin 70x4rms for speakers then 1200rms for subs no dimming at all, when we upped substage to 2500rms there was dimming
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 01:43 PM
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Yes, I agree - sorry, I was not implying that he needed a cap... cap should be a last resort after wiring upgrades, and a new H/O alternator (or sometimes rewinding).
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 06:28 PM
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In my opinion i would never run a audio system with anything smaller than 4 gauge, the 8 gauge feels too restrictive and has the potential of getting warm with real power flowing..... And capacitors are a waste of money, they are pretty much only good for limiting the amount of light flicker you get when it hits, and will never completley solve the problem. I always liked the Kinetic batteries that they came out with.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 09:55 PM
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The big 3 is a must for any high power system. If theres still a problem i would add another battery becauses caps are useless IMO.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by blackSSmoke01
T If theres still a problem i would add another battery becauses caps are useless IMO.
And another battery is just another draw on the alternator that doesn't come into play until the alt. can't keep the electrical system >12.6v

A cap will help smooth out the amperage draw spikes, but won't magically reduce the overall draw from the alternator.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 01:47 AM
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Originally Posted by blackSSmoke01
The big 3 is a must for any high power system. If theres still a problem i would add another battery becauses caps are useless IMO.
Another battery is just as useless - unless you plan on extended periods of playing time with the motor off.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 12:45 PM
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i was meaning something more along the lines of this http://cgi.ebay.com/KINETIK-HC600-Ca...QQcmdZViewItem. but the big three will solve most problems.
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Old Feb 2, 2008 | 02:28 PM
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Thanx for all the info guy's, im sure my friend will get me the 4guage wiring kit. Ill probably just go ahead and sell the 8guage to a friend, who plan's on getting a system later on in his truck.

I might need the capacitor, idk yet. My light's dimm from time to time, and that's just when i rev up the engine & it hit's about 1000rpm. Ive yet to check & clean the wiring from the alternator to the battery, but will do that later on today. Hopefully it solve's that problem.....
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