capacitor???

[paradizecityz]

do i need capcitor if i am running 1200 watt boss c700 amp with 2 12 audiobahn 800 watt rms???
not sure about headlights dimmin cuz i dont notice them

[prophesized]

nobody needs a cap. your lights probably wont dim because that amp doesnt put out 1200 watts.

[BLUEMEANIE]

Yes. ...but its not really a necessity but you'll get cleaner bass and your headlights won't dim. I have a single Farad cap and a Optima Yellow Top for an 800w Kenwood amp pushing one 800w 10" DVC Fosgate HE2

Please use the "search" button next time.

[mach_y]

Originally posted by BLUEMEANIE
Yes. ...but its not really a necessity but you'll get cleaner bass and your headlights won't dim. I have a single Farad cap and a Optima Yellow Top for an 800w Kenwood amp pushing one 800w 10" DVC Fosgate HE2

Please use the "search" button next time.

I'll agree with the headlights not dimming, but for that to work better, install your cap by your headlights.

"Cleaner bass", not from the cap. It is electronically impossible for a capacitor to supply energy in a quick enough manner to help your audio system. Proven with physics by guys with multiple PHD's. If you care to read up on it, check the "Car and Sound" forum website.

The Optima Yellow Top certainly would help though, especially if it was installed near your amps.

[paradizecityz]

ight gotcha, thanks guys

[jucee187]

If you dont want your headlights to dim.. the ULTIMATE solution is to upgrade your altenator to a higher output like 160Amp .. Then upgrade your battery.. Then if you must.. get a cap.

[Luc]

Originally posted by mach_y
I'll agree with the headlights not dimming, but for that to work better, install your cap by your headlights.

Why in the world would you want to install a big cap by the headlights? If I were to use a JL 1000/1 with a 12W7, how would putting the cap by the headlights help, instead of by the amp? Which draws more current, headlights or amp?

[mach_y]

Originally posted by Luc
Why in the world would you want to install a big cap by the headlights? If I were to use a JL 1000/1 with a 12W7, how would putting the cap by the headlights help, instead of by the amp? Which draws more current, headlights or amp?

Because a cap can do nothing for an amplifier. The rate at which a capacitor discharges its energy is much slower than the rate an amplifier needs power.

Many people can attest to the fact that adding a capacitor keeps their headlights from dimming, it is a visible easily proven thing. But that is all a cap is good for.

So, if you want to spend $100 to keep your headlights from dimming, go for it But at least use the cap wisely and install it near what it will be helping... your headlights.

Additionally, lets say that a mythical capacitor actually was able to release energy quick enough to be useful to an amplifier. It still would not be useful to a regulated power supply amplifier. A regulated power supply amp takes the voltage given to it, and regulates it to a certain voltage so that the amplifier puts out the same amount of power (watts) regardless of the input voltage. Many amps are not this way, which is why the amp will have two ratings (one at 12 volts, and another at 14.4 volts). Take a look at the JL 1000/1 that you mentioned...

http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/10001.html

Notice that it has the same rating at all voltages:

1000 W RMS @ 1.5 ohm-4 ohm
(11V-14.5V)

This means that JL uses a regulated power supply. Which means that even if a capacitor were to help an amplifier (which it is electronically impossible for it to do so), it would definitly not help a JL 1000/1.


P.S. Of course your local shop is going to try to sell you one, they want to make money. Personally if you want to blow your money on a cap, go for it, it is your money. But at least buy it for what it is good for (headlight dimming) instead of thinking it will help your amp. As for the people who honestly believe they help and refuse to believe science, the ones that swear they can hear a difference with and without a cap, have them do a blind listening test not knowing if they have a cap or not. Because the people that have spent $100 or more on something for their stereo system will be extremely hard to convince that it didn't help... they don't want to admit they spent their money on nothing.

[Luc]

Originally posted by mach_y
Because a cap can do nothing for an amplifier. The rate at which a capacitor discharges its energy is much slower than the rate an amplifier needs power.

If caps do nothing for an amp, then why are there caps inside the amplifiers, if thinking from your logic? Granted, the cap is an energy storage bin, and the time it charges & discharges is dependent on the time constant of the resistive load. A cap by the amp helps with the current draw from the main battery, which acts as a rectifier. It also filters any DC impurities down the power line. Instead of sourcing the current from the main battery which runs all the other electronics, the amp would source from its nearest device. If the cap is up by the battery, why even have one then, since the distance travelled for the current would be the same as the battery? A cap doesn't not eliminate lights dimming, it alleviates it.

Can you explain the differences between Class A, A/B, & D amplifiers, since they seem to be the most commonly available types in the car environment? Of course, you can go by all the physics, mathematical calculations, npn/pnp junction operations through the different n & p substrates, but people will still buy caps.

Originally posted by mach_y
if a capacitor were to help an amplifier (which it is electronically impossible for it to do so)

Can you prove it?

[mach_y]

I stated above I am not the one who did the math. Richard Clark on www.carsound.com has done it as well have others there. Here is just one post example of such a conversation:

http://www.carsound.com/UBB/ultimate...=017187#000000

And I'm sorry, but throwing out fancy names to make people think you are smart proves nothing. I have nothing to prove by saying a capacitor doesn't help your audio system. I'm not a salesman.

*shrugs* you can lead a horse to water......

[daileydub]

I had a optima battery and a voodoo 2.4 farad cap in for my same system at different times. Without a doubt I would chose the cap over the battery. I dont know if its just because its a higher farad then most of the 1's or what, but can def notice change.

[JaJay721]

A capaciter is a bandaid for your electrical system. A battery is an upgrade. Always go with battery/alternator before wasting your time on a cap.

[VVT-i Owns]

There are benefits and disadvantages of having capacitors, saying a capacitor doesn't help at all is being foolish.

Capacitors will help your audio system provide enough current during a long bass note, instead of pulling from the battery and the altenator.

Downside:? when u have depleted the capacitor it needs to be recharged and that takes away current that the amp could be using to drive ur subs.

[JaJay721]

For headlight dumming a capacitor will do very little. For helping your bass a capacitor will do very little. How much do caps run for? $100-200. How much does a new alternator run? Why buy a cap?

[onephatcracka]

i agree with you jayjay some what....... i agree that you should upgrade your battery and alternator if you were to install a highergrade stereo system. But what i don't agree with is that capacitors do nothing. I have knocked out 2 alternators in my past car because I didn't have a capacitor. I upgraded really all i could with the car and it still happend. But since i upgraded to a capacitor then it has lasted alot longer then with out. Also you can get capacitors for alot cheaper then that..... the rule is usually for every 500watts... you should use a 1/2 farad capacitor. I can get a 1/2 farad cap for 30 bux.. and a 1 farad for only 50.... but thats with out shipping.

http://www.etronics.com/listproducts...tid=309&store=

but capacitors have to be filled before they can be used which may caues the amp to shut off ....also you need to remember that the bigger the cap the longer it takes to fill up if it is depleted.

this is just from my past experiences with my cars ..... please correct me if i am incorect on anything and please explain