Does a capacitor make a difference?
02-03-2003, 12:19 AM
#1
Does a capacitor make a difference?
I'm thinking of getting a capacitor for my system. I have one amp bridged to two 12". I plan on getting a Punch 700 or something like that. My lights dim now when the bass is cranking. Will a capacitor make a difference on that and will it make it sound harder because ample power is there? Thanks for any replies.
02-03-2003, 08:23 AM
#2
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 617
Re: Does a capacitor make a difference?
Originally posted by thomasd cook
I'm thinking of getting a capacitor for my system. I have one amp bridged to two 12". I plan on getting a Punch 700 or something like that. My lights dim now when the bass is cranking. Will a capacitor make a difference on that and will it make it sound harder because ample power is there? Thanks for any replies.
I'm thinking of getting a capacitor for my system. I have one amp bridged to two 12". I plan on getting a Punch 700 or something like that. My lights dim now when the bass is cranking. Will a capacitor make a difference on that and will it make it sound harder because ample power is there? Thanks for any replies.
02-03-2003, 09:59 AM
#4
In my old car I had a secon battery wired in line with my power leads and it really didn't make much of a difference. Just want to make sure it's really worth getting or a waste of money. Thanks.
02-03-2003, 03:31 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by max'n out
The better idea would be to get rid of the ****ty factory battery with a good one, and see if thats enough, a 2nd battery in this case is very unlikely to be needed and just take up space.
The better idea would be to get rid of the ****ty factory battery with a good one, and see if thats enough, a 2nd battery in this case is very unlikely to be needed and just take up space.
02-03-2003, 08:52 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 121
If you want to do it right, upgrade your alternator. If you are looking for a cheep fix, go for the cap. As mentioned previously, there is never a need for another battery unless you listen for extended periods with engine off.
Brett
Brett
02-04-2003, 07:59 AM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by bahmax
If you want to do it right, upgrade your alternator. If you are looking for a cheep fix, go for the cap. As mentioned previously, there is never a need for another battery unless you listen for extended periods with engine off.
Brett
If you want to do it right, upgrade your alternator. If you are looking for a cheep fix, go for the cap. As mentioned previously, there is never a need for another battery unless you listen for extended periods with engine off.
Brett
02-04-2003, 09:44 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 121
Originally posted by jmax
Brett, how many times have you changed an alt in a Maxima?
Brett, how many times have you changed an alt in a Maxima?
In case you were being serious, I have not personally changed an alt in a Maxima. I did consider changing mine a short time ago due to a seemingly alt related problem I was having. But then the recall came along, my alt was replaced and the problem went away.
02-04-2003, 09:59 PM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by bahmax
Is this a serious question? I assume you mean that few upgraded alts (of worthwhile size) will fit in the factory location. Perhaps what I said was misleading. I was not trying to say that a new alt is appropriate for this particular case, but trying to speak to those who are misguided in saying that a new battery is a good solution to large current draw. From an electrical standpoint, an upgraded alt is the "best" option. In this particular situation, a small cap and the factory alt are more than sufficient.
In case you were being serious, I have not personally changed an alt in a Maxima. I did consider changing mine a short time ago due to a seemingly alt related problem I was having. But then the recall came along, my alt was replaced and the problem went away.
Is this a serious question? I assume you mean that few upgraded alts (of worthwhile size) will fit in the factory location. Perhaps what I said was misleading. I was not trying to say that a new alt is appropriate for this particular case, but trying to speak to those who are misguided in saying that a new battery is a good solution to large current draw. From an electrical standpoint, an upgraded alt is the "best" option. In this particular situation, a small cap and the factory alt are more than sufficient.
In case you were being serious, I have not personally changed an alt in a Maxima. I did consider changing mine a short time ago due to a seemingly alt related problem I was having. But then the recall came along, my alt was replaced and the problem went away.
02-05-2003, 05:32 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 121
Originally posted by jmax
I asked because I have changed the stock alt out for an OG 185 amp alt. The way you said it so lightly made it obvious you havn't changed the alt. No one who has would recommend it for a tiny sub 2000 watt system or for non SPL purposes.
I asked because I have changed the stock alt out for an OG 185 amp alt. The way you said it so lightly made it obvious you havn't changed the alt. No one who has would recommend it for a tiny sub 2000 watt system or for non SPL purposes.
02-05-2003, 06:07 AM
#15
I tend to get a bit irritable
iTrader: (151)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central Jersey
Posts: 17,674
Originally posted by jmax
A second battery is a larger strain on the alternator than a single battery. Have you ever noticed that a battery sitting in a drawer will die over time? The one under the hood is the same except the alternator recharges it. A second battery would place twice the demand on the alt leaving less power for your stereo. The only time a second battery is recommended is when the radio is regularly listened to without the engine running.
A second battery is a larger strain on the alternator than a single battery. Have you ever noticed that a battery sitting in a drawer will die over time? The one under the hood is the same except the alternator recharges it. A second battery would place twice the demand on the alt leaving less power for your stereo. The only time a second battery is recommended is when the radio is regularly listened to without the engine running.
--Don
BTW, James....Ive changed Maxima alts. WoW would I not reccomend someone doing this.
02-05-2003, 07:29 AM
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am still trying to figure out why he thinks money is the issue with the HO alt. Money is only 1/5th of the issue with a HO alt in the maxima. The big issue is the need to keep a spare belt becaues of the higher tension on the belt to get the HO alt to spin without squeal. Then the fact that if you tighten it too much or too little the pulley will be toasted or lost. I have gone through at leat three pulley's and 6-8 belts since installing the HO alt. Figure a minimum of 15 minutes for each belt change. And the car is basically dead untill the new belt can be installed. If the pulley goes it might take a week to find a new one. I could go on and on about why not to get a HO alt. As I said at the top of this post, money is only 1/5th of the issue with the HO alt in the Maxima.
02-05-2003, 08:52 AM
#17
I tend to get a bit irritable
iTrader: (151)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central Jersey
Posts: 17,674
Originally posted by jmax
I am still trying to figure out why he thinks money is the issue with the HO alt. Money is only 1/5th of the issue with a HO alt in the maxima. The big issue is the need to keep a spare belt becaues of the higher tension on the belt to get the HO alt to spin without squeal. Then the fact that if you tighten it too much or too little the pulley will be toasted or lost. I have gone through at leat three pulley's and 6-8 belts since installing the HO alt. Figure a minimum of 15 minutes for each belt change. And the car is basically dead untill the new belt can be installed. If the pulley goes it might take a week to find a new one. I could go on and on about why not to get a HO alt. As I said at the top of this post, money is only 1/5th of the issue with the HO alt in the Maxima.
I am still trying to figure out why he thinks money is the issue with the HO alt. Money is only 1/5th of the issue with a HO alt in the maxima. The big issue is the need to keep a spare belt becaues of the higher tension on the belt to get the HO alt to spin without squeal. Then the fact that if you tighten it too much or too little the pulley will be toasted or lost. I have gone through at leat three pulley's and 6-8 belts since installing the HO alt. Figure a minimum of 15 minutes for each belt change. And the car is basically dead untill the new belt can be installed. If the pulley goes it might take a week to find a new one. I could go on and on about why not to get a HO alt. As I said at the top of this post, money is only 1/5th of the issue with the HO alt in the Maxima.
--Don
02-05-2003, 01:36 PM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Pearl96Max
Although the cost is high, money is absolutely the easiest part. What effort or aggravation does it take to spend it?
--Don
Although the cost is high, money is absolutely the easiest part. What effort or aggravation does it take to spend it?
--Don
02-05-2003, 10:19 PM
#20
Originally posted by thomasd cook
Thanks for all the replies. I'm just going to get a cap. My system isn't all that big. Plus it's the easiest thing to do, and doesn't take up much space.
Thanks for all the replies. I'm just going to get a cap. My system isn't all that big. Plus it's the easiest thing to do, and doesn't take up much space.
if you want, I have a cap laying around..
its a Rockford Fosgate cap and used for about 2 months.
Its in my sig, so u can check it out...
Ill let it go for 60 shipped to your door..
Let me know
THanks
02-08-2003, 08:29 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,223
I have a red top and 1 farad cap and the cap does not help much at all. Whoever mentioned the alternator, where did you get it and how much? I've heard about getting the stock one rewound, but never tried. Mr. King, would a second battery help me and where do you have yours if you do? I would really like to take care of this problem.
02-08-2003, 08:59 AM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by xtantmaxima
I have a red top and 1 farad cap and the cap does not help much at all. Whoever mentioned the alternator, where did you get it and how much? I've heard about getting the stock one rewound, but never tried. Mr. King, would a second battery help me and where do you have yours if you do? I would really like to take care of this problem.
I have a red top and 1 farad cap and the cap does not help much at all. Whoever mentioned the alternator, where did you get it and how much? I've heard about getting the stock one rewound, but never tried. Mr. King, would a second battery help me and where do you have yours if you do? I would really like to take care of this problem.
02-08-2003, 10:13 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,445
Originally posted by xtantmaxima
I have a red top and 1 farad cap and the cap does not help much at all. Whoever mentioned the alternator, where did you get it and how much? I've heard about getting the stock one rewound, but never tried. Mr. King, would a second battery help me and where do you have yours if you do? I would really like to take care of this problem.
I have a red top and 1 farad cap and the cap does not help much at all. Whoever mentioned the alternator, where did you get it and how much? I've heard about getting the stock one rewound, but never tried. Mr. King, would a second battery help me and where do you have yours if you do? I would really like to take care of this problem.
02-08-2003, 06:20 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,223
If you go to the top of the list the most important factor in powering your system is the use of proper wireing. And then actually wiring it correctly. No matter how big an alt, battery, cap etc., if the wiring is not sufficient for the demands of the amps you won't be able to power them.
02-09-2003, 07:40 AM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
What is each amps max current draw and what is each amp pushing as far as speakers and impedance load? 1 farad is only good for 50-100 amps. Installing a 10-20 farad cap will be cheaper than upgrading the alt. And no matter how big the alt is, you will need much more capacitance and very low ESR for a system that can draw 300 amps peek.
OG has a delco rebuild alt that is an easy mod fit. Make sure you read every post on this topic before ordering a new alt.
OG has a delco rebuild alt that is an easy mod fit. Make sure you read every post on this topic before ordering a new alt.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
97_GXE
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
20
09-17-2015 08:12 PM
97_GXE
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
5
09-15-2015 06:47 AM