1000w capacitor?

[lilg4mdalbc]

ok, so my question is, do i need a capacitor. i have 2 500watt american pro 12's powered by an interfire(dont remember series) amp. my engine is completely stock and i have no extras that would take any extra juice away from the alternator, just the subs. my question is, do you guys recommend i get a capacitor, or upgrade my battery maybe? my concern is that it might give me problems later on, because sometimes at night at a stop light, with certain songs i see my lights dim a bit, so i turn it down while im at the stop light. thanx in advance

[Sarthos]

No.

You didn't have to list your equipment, a capacitor is unnecessary. They are virtually worthless. The math is relatively simple, they hardly store any power. Do you know what 1 farad means? A farad is a measurement of amperes * seconds. A one farad capacitor means the capacitor can output a current of one ampere for one second. If your system voltage drops 1 volt, that means 1 volt*1 amp=1 watt... Absolutely useful isn't it, it will add one whole watt to your system!

Here's what you do. Start with the first, if problems persist do the second, if they persist more do the third.
1. "Big Three" upgrade. Basically that means upgrade the wires from your

a. alternator to battery (positive)
b. chassis to battery (negative)
c. chassis to engine block (negative)

2. Alternator upgrade
3. Battery upgrade

[lilg4mdalbc]

i put the title to signify i have a 1000 watts. but i did not know that. thank you very much

[SPLCB7]

A cap would help for when your bass hits deep notes.... so yes it will help. ...but at some point if your pulling less then 12 volts for long periods you will need to add an deep cycle batt and possibly an alt upgrade.....marine deep cycles hold voltege longer there your best bet... All youll have to do is buy one and run some wire from the batt in the front to the back ground the rear batt out on your strut tower and run the wire to your amp from that point...have you done the big three upgrade? This could help two...also check your main batt it could just be an bad batt or on the way of going out....

[puzzlevil]

No.

You didn't have to list your equipment, a capacitor is unnecessary. They are virtually worthless, they hardly store any power.
1. "Big Three" upgrade. Basically that means upgrade the wires from your

a. alternator to battery (positive)
b. chassis to battery (negative)
c. chassis to engine block (negative)

2. Alternator upgrade
3. Battery upgrade

Ditto X2^

[Flatline]

No.

You didn't have to list your equipment, a capacitor is unnecessary. They are virtually worthless. The math is relatively simple, they hardly store any power. Do you know what 1 farad means? A farad is a measurement of amperes * seconds. A one farad capacitor means the capacitor can output a current of one ampere for one second. If your system voltage drops 1 volt, that means 1 volt*1 amp=1 watt... Absolutely useful isn't it, it will add one whole watt to your system!

Here's what you do. Start with the first, if problems persist do the second, if they persist more do the third.
1. "Big Three" upgrade. Basically that means upgrade the wires from your

a. alternator to battery (positive)
b. chassis to battery (negative)
c. chassis to engine block (negative)

2. Alternator upgrade
3. Battery upgrade

yes on the big 3 upgrade. if your worried about hurting your charging system, buy a deep cycle optima battery, and upgrade your alternator.

if you dont like that your lights dim on certain notes, or that the power going into your amp is fluctuating with the engine and could possibly cause premature failure to any of your stereo components, its worth it.

Most people that use cap use them as a buffer for the electrical surges that come from driving. It acts just like a battery backup for a computer does. Getting a surge of power from your alt can happen at any time. Reving high, push starting, jump starting, etc. All it takes is one surge to kill that amp. with a cap in, it'll act as an inline regulator and take the hit without passing it to the amp if its hooked up correctly. also helps maintain a better wound overall.

it is simple math. if your amp runs 1000watts @ 14 volts, and the voltage spikes from a fraction of a second, to sat 15v or even 18v (which has happened to me more than once) that amp is gonna be pushing that much more power. in a case like that, your lucky if you blow a fuse, because it could blow the amp. having a cap in will help that. maybe not survive the issue, but whats a $100 cap compared to a $500+ amp.


but no, its not needed or necessary. Its more like an isurance policy in my mind. but then again, how many people would rive without insurance on their car, were it legal to do so.

[SPLCB7]

yes on the big 3 upgrade. if your worried about hurting your charging system, buy a deep cycle optima battery, and upgrade your alternator.

if you dont like that your lights dim on certain notes, or that the power going into your amp is fluctuating with the engine and could possibly cause premature failure to any of your stereo components, its worth it.

Most people that use cap use them as a buffer for the electrical surges that come from driving. It acts just like a battery backup for a computer does. Getting a surge of power from your alt can happen at any time. Reving high, push starting, jump starting, etc. All it takes is one surge to kill that amp. with a cap in, it'll act as an inline regulator and take the hit without passing it to the amp if its hooked up correctly. also helps maintain a better wound overall.

it is simple math. if your amp runs 1000watts @ 14 volts, and the voltage spikes from a fraction of a second, to sat 15v or even 18v (which has happened to me more than once) that amp is gonna be pushing that much more power. in a case like that, your lucky if you blow a fuse, because it could blow the amp. having a cap in will help that. maybe not survive the issue, but whats a $100 cap compared to a $500+ amp.


but no, its not needed or necessary. Its more like an isurance policy in my mind. but then again, how many people would rive without insurance on their car, were it legal to do so.

^^^^^well said pretty much where i was trying to go....