Right now i have 1 JL 12 W3 running off of 1 JL 250/1 amp. I am considering getting another 12 inch W3, and 250/1 amp, and was wondering if i need a 1/2 capacitor? If it is of any importance, my alpine headunit is hardwired to the battery wih 60x4 watts. Also, do capacitors ever need to be replaced like regular batteries? Just curious about the last one.

 

turn your headlights on at night while your stereo is playing at a pretty high volume level... if your headlights dim, that is a good rule of thumb of whether you should get one or not...

 

by then, you are damaging your battery, alternator, and probably already clipping, which is destroying your speakers.

You want to listen for clipping. Signs of clipping usually occur before the lights start dimming. But then again, you have to have a pretty astute ear to distinguish small amounts of clipping.

It would take too long to explain what it is, and how it occurs here, but check the web for those audio FAQ sites.

 

cap's are good for bursts and ripple...they are really designed to maintain voltage have nothing what so ever to do with clipping...if your charging system is providing the current the amplifiers need, I wouldn't be concerned...your only drawing 50 amps from those 2 amps on a "good" day...caps do help on maintaing voltage and this is the only reason they get used in installs I do..and that is if voltage drops accur on regular levels.

 

Yes, get a 1 farad cap...better safe...

 

They say that you need a Cap for every 1000 watts that you have, there are a few other things you can do, you can upgrade your wiring, to 4 gauge, you can upgrade your battery to a Yellow top Optima, or you can get a Cap. Basically the cap builds up energy inside of it so when you hit the real hard bass in songs, it doesn't drain alot of energy from your battery, I noticed I didn't get as much diming with the 4 guage wiring, but I plan on putting my Cap, 4 gauge and soon a Yellow top on my car, the Yellow top battery would probably help the most, they run from like $170 to $230.
Dave

 

well i think a yellow top would help and 4 gauge is a good idea to install on every car that way if a person wishes to ever expand the system new wiring will not be needed to run and more current travels better in thicker wire. a capacitor can't harm a system, therefore if you notice the lights dim, you need a cap definitely.

-Vadim

PS: check yellow tops online i think i've seen one for ~$149