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Capacitors

Posted: Tue May 27, 2003 10:25 pm
by Guest
I searched around on here for this question but didn't really find what I was looking for. What's your opinion on capacitors? I only have one friend who has one and it works great for him. I just noticed my lights dimming considerably after work tonight so I started thinking about getting a cap.

-edit- This is probably one for the archives.




Capacitors

Posted: Tue May 27, 2003 10:54 pm
by gar187er
well if its slight dimming, then one would do you good, but if they really really dim, then your problem is more then a cap would solve....look into a high output alternator.....but for me i have a .5 farad cap now, and works fine for me....

Capacitors

Posted: Wed May 28, 2003 8:41 am
by Guest
It's a really expensive distribution block......

Save up for bigger wiring, better batery, bigger altenator.

Capacitors

Posted: Wed May 28, 2003 10:53 am
by Guest
Quote (BowtieRocket @ May 28 2003,06:41)It's a really expensive distribution block......

Save up for bigger wiring, better batery, bigger altenator.
I totally agree with this.

Everyone considers a capacitor to be a cure-all for inadequate power supplies, when it's merely a band-aid that only works 25-50% of the time. A cap's true use if to stiffen the power supply at the amp to allow for current on demand for transient peaks.

If the power supply at the battery can't support the amp, a cap isn't going to truly fix this problem. An upgraded battery, alternator and wiring should though.

Something to remember. If an amp can draw 50amperes of current. Then if you put a capacitor in line with the amp, you'll still have 50amperes of current draw. If the current draw is truly the same with and without a cap, how will adding a cap fix your problem  

Capacitors

Posted: Sat May 31, 2003 12:39 am
by CoolZ26
I have a question about this also.  I have an Alpine MRV-500 amplifier.  ITs the only amp I have in my car.  I have both a brand new battery and alternator that were both replaced the same day last week.  I get about 14.0volts at the amp according to the amps display.  This seems good, but I notice that when I am stopped at a light, or have on my turn signal, my amperage gauge likes to bog down a bit.  I was wondering what I can do about this.  Do I need a better battery, or could a cap help out?

Capacitors

Posted: Sat May 31, 2003 4:54 am
by gar187er
its only natural as the engine doesnt put out the same at idle as it does under load....youll see high out put alternators put out over 100amps even at idle...while we put that out under load....