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.

 

huh?

+10char

 

a buss bar connects the 2 caps together.

 

capacitors take strain off alternator *I THINK* coorect me if im wrong

 

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

 

haha i like that explanation...

 

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

 

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.

 

I'm running an MB Quart Raa1000 with 3 JL 10W3's and all of my lights dim every time the bass hits. I have a newer battery and 2 gauge wiring so I was thinking a cap would help. I don't know how you would run what you want to run and not have your lights dim.

 

omg i thought i burnt that pic of that old setup i had... lol i feel so ashamed for having that

 

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

 

You werent around for the history and thread of that pic. Its okay.

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

 

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

 

Ive got Caps

 

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.

 

i got a 1 farad cap, just for safe measures.

2 12" infinities at 400w each.

 

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

 

Upgraded alt/BIG 3 pwns a cap any day of the week.

 

whats a big 3?

 

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ult...c;f=5;t=007801 ~~Big 3

 

I used to have mad light dimmage until i got my yellow top. now they dont dim at all

amps-
tru technology t-2.100
hifonics brutus 1500d

most stuff ive read say that caps dont do much, but they look cool.

 

Cant a highpowered system ruin the alternator in some cases?

 

it wont ruin the altenator it would put stress on it, thats why ppl with big sound systems get HO altenators. They usually put out more amps than stock factory ones

 

i dont think i'll be able to sleep after this thread

all of you, please throw your caps away

 

 

my old car

 

holy excessive waste of space batman!

 

I am using a DEI 50 Farad Capacitor Bank.. It is in the middle of the picture below...

 

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 have a few caps....not in my car tho....they make even better paperweights

 

...because you could have upgrade your battery to an Optima Yeller for the price you paid on the caps in your system and helped the ENTIRE car instead.

 

If anyone wants caps then I say go for it. However, don't kid yourself by thinking that they are the answer to your problems. Just realize they have limitations. I for one totally understand the concept of having more equipment to show off. It's FUN to spend money and install stuff. As long as you do it properly and it doesn't degrade or damage your system then it's all good.

Tony

 

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...

 

my capacitor tells time

 

 

are those poweracoustic subs?

 

yes they are.

 

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.

 

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?