Do I need a Cap? Why not???

[alwalker84]

I have a 1 farat cap hooked up in my system. I hear alot of people say that a cap is not nessessary... I want to know why not, and what should I be using???

I have a Pioneer P4000DVD deck

Kicker 08zx750.1 amp on a Kicker 12" L7

Alpine MRP250 4-chnl on 4 6x8's

Also I will be adding a nother Kicker L7 and 08zx750.1 amp next month

So, im looking for reasonable suggestions on how I should manage my power setup.

Thanks in advance guys.

Pics...

 

[OMGLOLetcetc]

Are you having problems with your setup now??
You don't need a cap for that system. They cause more harm then good Im told. Why? Not sure.

 

[heathmo]

No need for the capacitor, basically it's just for quick hits to the system and then it recharges. But for anything with a lot of heavy bass it's not going to help all that much because it recharges off of your charging system in the vehicle as it is. If you are having any issues with your system and the lights getting dim you may want to consider upgrading your alternator or maybe just get a pulley that will spin it faster. Also consider upgrading the big 3 wires. Factory I believe are usually 4 gauge and dropping to 2 or 0/1 gauge would make quite a bit of difference as well. And if you're wanting to also use that system with the vehicle off, a dual battery setup with an Optima Yellow Top would be a good idea, that way you can isolate your starting battery for running the vehicle, not the system.

Looks like you've only got about 1000W right now. Just keep an eye on things and see how it runs as is. Then if you need to start your upgrades, Big 3 first then moving towards the charging system, alternator, battery and such.

 

[aznboi3644]

With upgrading the big 6 on my Exploder I could run 1600 watts all day. The voltage dropped but never below 13 volts which is perfectly fine.

A capacitor is not just for the "quick hits" of a system...its for voltage conditioning. Capacitors are not a solution to a power problem.

 

[alwalker84]

im not nes having problems, but when i put the other sub and amp in, i dont want to ruin my factory batt or have the lights dimming. The lights dim as it is now with out the cap. With it I havent seen them dim. Im wondering will only a yellow top replacement help.

Thanks for them input! Any more comments are welcome

 

[alwalker84]

With upgrading the big 6 on my Exploder I could run 1600 watts all day. The voltage dropped but never below 13 volts which is perfectly fine.

A capacitor is not just for the "quick hits" of a system...its for voltage conditioning. Capacitors are not a solution to a power problem.

big 6?

 

[Infinity08]

He upgraded a LOT of his factory wiring. You should do the same, focusing on grounds. A cap will only make your problem worse, as it isn't a device that creates power. If you begin to have trouble while the car is running, a higher capacity alternator and/or additional batteries are in order.

 

[alwalker84]

He upgraded a LOT of his factory wiring. You should do the same, focusing on grounds. A cap will only make your problem worse, as it isn't a device that creates power. If you begin to have trouble while the car is running, a higher capacity alternator and/or additional batteries are in order.

Thanks!!!

 

[BADB4C]

Say I want to do the big 3... How many feet of wire do I need to buy?

 

[aznboi3644]

Look underneath the Exploder...pretty much all body on frame vehicles have factory ground straps connecting the body to the frame...they are very small.

I upgraded
-the three wires under the sides on my exploder
-daisy chained the alternator casing to the engine block then over the battery negative
-alternator to battery positive
-battery negative to body
-battery negative to frame
-Battery positive to fuse box

Just remember...there is no overkill with grounds. The more the better. Just look around and upgrade whatever wires you can.

 

[SilverSPL]

Keep the cap! They do work well on small systems under 1000watts with 2 good quality (rockford or lightning audio) 1 farad caps. It will help keep the voltage from dipping too low. Also upgrading the power and ground wiring will help also. I have put in many small systems where this has helped allot and saved the alternator from dying.