How many people actually use capacitors in their car ??--Pics--
07-03-2005, 03:50 PM
#1
How many people actually use capacitors in their car ??--Pics--
I was wondering how many people actually utilize these caps ive heard and even proven in my case that they dont do ****. Any one that wants to reply can. The reason im posting this is because i decided to redo my entire system and check up on everything anyway i have 2 1 farad rockford caps with buss barss that i got with a bundle pack but when checked with a multimeter they dont give me any voltage so im assuming their dead in any case i really could careless because they dont seem to do anything for me but heres what im running. Phoenix gold xenon 1200.1 3 12" jl w3v2 @ 4 ohms. And an alpine Mrv f340 for my fronts and rears. The pic is of the system in the works.
07-03-2005, 07:55 PM
#5
yes they do.. basically when the alternator opperates it puts out 14.4 volts.. when your subwoofer hits it goes down close to 12 volts.. now the battery can handle that but your amp likes 14.4 a capacitor will try to hold that 14.4 so ur amp likes it
07-03-2005, 08:05 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Originally Posted by f550maranello2
yes they do.. basically when the alternator opperates it puts out 14.4 volts.. when your subwoofer hits it goes down close to 12 volts.. now the battery can handle that but your amp likes 14.4 a capacitor will try to hold that 14.4 so ur amp likes it
07-03-2005, 08:21 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Since my system isnt set up yet...im gonna post some pics of other peoples trunks 
Heres showman94's sweet trunk...it looks like he has two capacitors or something
Heres Gramdaciou's trunk props man looks nice
Heres 2daMax's cap setup
Heres showman94's sweet trunk...it looks like he has two capacitors or something
Heres Gramdaciou's trunk props man looks nice
Heres 2daMax's cap setup
07-03-2005, 08:31 PM
#8
to be honest my lights dont dimm and i really think that the capps are unnecesary. I appreciate all your input and suggestions keep them coming .But the truth is that my caps had no voltage when i pulled them out of my trunk which means they werent even working and my lights would barely dimm. I mean i have already upgraded to a optima red top. I upgraded my factory battery ground wire and added a 0gauge ground to my battery as well.
07-03-2005, 11:17 PM
#9
Originally Posted by DcMaN
to be honest my lights dont dimm and i really think that the capps are unnecesary. I appreciate all your input and suggestions keep them coming .But the truth is that my caps had no voltage when i pulled them out of my trunk which means they werent even working and my lights would barely dimm. I mean i have already upgraded to a optima red top. I upgraded my factory battery ground wire and added a 0gauge ground to my battery as well.
07-04-2005, 08:05 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Originally Posted by 2 Da Max
omg i thought i burnt that pic of that old setup i had... lol i feel so ashamed for having that
07-04-2005, 08:58 AM
#12
Originally Posted by GrazsRootz
nah man it shows the versatlilty of a cap setup haha, you should see my trunk lol i have a pair of POS kenwood 150 watt amps from like 1980 its hilarious
2 da max. No, we could never let that pic die, its a piece of history. You only lucked out that your water/exhaust thread got moved to OT so a lot of people cant view it
im still a newbie 
07-04-2005, 09:08 AM
#14
i use 2 red tops (1 in the trunk) and 2 caps (1 for each amp).
i also upgraded to a 125amp alt.
i have no problems. i have this system for over 3yrs. /the car was not been cut in any way to fit this system.
this is what i have:
2 kicker 10" L7
1 set of 6.5" MB Q's up front
4 mid-range 6.5" in rear
2 tweeters 4" in rear
1 rockford power 1000.2
1 rockford power 800.4
i also upgraded to a 125amp alt.
i have no problems. i have this system for over 3yrs. /the car was not been cut in any way to fit this system.
this is what i have:
2 kicker 10" L7
1 set of 6.5" MB Q's up front
4 mid-range 6.5" in rear
2 tweeters 4" in rear
1 rockford power 1000.2
1 rockford power 800.4
07-04-2005, 10:02 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 383
I found in my experience that they dont do much, but thats just my personal experience. The best cheap electrical upgrade by far is the big 3. It help my voltage and dimming greatly. I would consider this option before a cap.
07-04-2005, 12:35 PM
#18
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,771
Originally Posted by DcMaN
I was wondering how many people actually utilize these caps ive heard and even proven in my case that they dont do ****. Any one that wants to reply can.
If you want to read a really good article on capacitors (including stiffening capacitors) check THIS site out. Along the left are chapters - go to chapter 46 on capacitors.
Tony
07-04-2005, 01:44 PM
#19
Originally Posted by Tony Fernandes
I think caps are a waste of money. They will smooth out tiny voltage drops and MIGHT keep your headlights from dimming, but bottom line is that if your alternator can't keep up with the voltage demands for your system, they won't do much.
If you want to read a really good article on capacitors (including stiffening capacitors) check THIS site out. Along the left are chapters - go to chapter 46 on capacitors.
Tony
If you want to read a really good article on capacitors (including stiffening capacitors) check THIS site out. Along the left are chapters - go to chapter 46 on capacitors.
Tony
Upgraded alt/BIG 3 pwns a cap any day of the week.
07-04-2005, 06:34 PM
#21
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 383
07-05-2005, 10:44 AM
#30
why do you guys down caps like is the worst thing you can possibly get for the max?..
I've read people do the big 3 and still get the lights dimming.. I would prefer to get a cap than to replace an alternator... and I didn't ever get lights to dim on the set up I had without the big 3...
so why is it so bad? I think is a good idea.......... the big 3 isn't all that, I did it on my 04 maxima..
I've read people do the big 3 and still get the lights dimming.. I would prefer to get a cap than to replace an alternator... and I didn't ever get lights to dim on the set up I had without the big 3...
so why is it so bad? I think is a good idea.......... the big 3 isn't all that, I did it on my 04 maxima..
07-05-2005, 10:55 AM
#32
Originally Posted by Tek-Niq
why do you guys down caps like is the worst think you can possibly get for the max?..
I've read people do the big 3 and still get the lights dimming.. I would prefer to get a cap than to replace an alternator... and I didn't ever get lights to dim on the set up I had without the big 3...
so why is it so bad? I think is a good idea.......... the big 3 isn't all that, I did it on my 04 maxima..
I've read people do the big 3 and still get the lights dimming.. I would prefer to get a cap than to replace an alternator... and I didn't ever get lights to dim on the set up I had without the big 3...
so why is it so bad? I think is a good idea.......... the big 3 isn't all that, I did it on my 04 maxima..
07-05-2005, 12:39 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,771
Originally Posted by Tek-Niq
why do you guys down caps like is the worst thing you can possibly get for the max?..
I've read people do the big 3 and still get the lights dimming.. I would prefer to get a cap than to replace an alternator... and I didn't ever get lights to dim on the set up I had without the big 3...
so why is it so bad? I think is a good idea.......... the big 3 isn't all that, I did it on my 04 maxima..
I've read people do the big 3 and still get the lights dimming.. I would prefer to get a cap than to replace an alternator... and I didn't ever get lights to dim on the set up I had without the big 3...
so why is it so bad? I think is a good idea.......... the big 3 isn't all that, I did it on my 04 maxima..
Tony
07-05-2005, 12:56 PM
#34
I was just wondering, cause some members really push the BIG 3 idea, but them I read that people are still having dimming issues..
a cap might not be a problem solver, but it did keep my stuff from dimming and all..
for my next audio system I will have both I think.. the BIG 3 is done, now just waiting for funds for the rest of the system...
a cap might not be a problem solver, but it did keep my stuff from dimming and all..
for my next audio system I will have both I think.. the BIG 3 is done, now just waiting for funds for the rest of the system...
07-08-2005, 11:29 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Queens
Posts: 522
Capacitors are band-aids for electrical systems. Caps only work to their fullest when the alternator can supply ample current for the system demands. The alternator supplies the power for your audio system, when the system calls for more current than the alternator can deliver for a brief moment it will call on current from the battery. A battery is pretty slow at delivering high currents in the short time it is needed (milliseconds). This is where the cap comes in. A cap can discharge in milliseconds when the battery cant, therefore supplementing the alternators current. now a cap can't do this if the alternator is consistently putting out insufficient amounts of current. The cap will be draining electrons from the battery at this point and will be doing more harm than good. People don't like to hear this, but get a high output alternator before you ever get a cap. I also think it is a good idea to install an optima battery because they are more reliable and can deal with short current demands better than factory batteries. There is my 2 cents.
07-11-2005, 07:52 AM
#40
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 39
Good to know. I currently am running a set of 12's on a 1200 watt amp with a crossover. But a few weeks ago I wanted to see how much, or how loud, it could actually go. I realized that the car was losing alot of power when I go to about 24 on the stock Maxima radio. U think that the Optima yellow top would help with this? Or should I say to hell with it and get a better alternator WITH the yellow top?