car audio capacitor question?

[Subject]
car audio capacitor question?
[Question]
my lights dim out when my bass hits peak,

but that is not too bad and i don't really worry about that.

i read somewhere that if you install a capacitor the bass will be better.

my question is if i add a capacitor

IS THE BASS GOING TO BE BETTER??

if that's true, can someone recommend me one in particular?

i have a sub box with 2 10" and each 10" is 1000 w.

i don't know about the amp, but I'll check if is necessary,

but i know i have 2 amps, and i guess 1 is for the doors,

and the other for the sub box.



any help will be greatly appreciated.







thank you.

YOUNG BROWN @ 2009-02-26 07:53:53

[All Answers]
You can google capacitor set up and get alot of instructions on how to install a capacitor. If your not comfortable don't install one, get a pro to do it because they can actually cause alot of damage if you do them wrong. ALOT of damage, like...big boom.



I have a similar system. My lights were dimming slightly, and yes the capacitor did fix the problem. I also noticed the bass was crisper. Which makes perfect sense if you understand what a capacitor does.



I will say that there is conflicting views on the subject, there are many people that say capacitors are not good and that you will need to upgrade your alternator. The fact remains, I had the same problem as you, I got a cap and the problem was fixed, I rest my case and let the facts do the talking.



You will need nothing less than a 1 farad capacitor for a 1000W amp. Don't worry about the amp for your regular speakers, just worry about a cap for your subs.

G6er @ 2009-02-26 08:01:55

If your lights dim out, then the voltage at the amplifier is dropping significantly. A cap will help keep your voltage at the amp stable which will allow the bass to hit harder. It will help out with sound quality if the bass clips or the is there is other distortion.



Caps let their charge go extremely quickly but have a low capacity where a battery has a high capacity and can't release it quickly. To use them effectively, keep the wiring between the cap and the amp as short as possible and use heavy wiring also. A 1 farad cap isn't too expensive, also, the first farad helps the most.

Marc R. @ 2009-02-26 08:13:34

If You got a cap you would notice how it plays longer notes and would hold the low tones.. It should fix the dimming too. Brands that would be good would be Rockford Fosgate, Stinger, or a lanzar. If you do buy a capacitor and decide you are going to put it in FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS and it isn't difficult

justin9005 @ 2009-02-26 08:16:50

A capacitor is only good so far as the audio system isn't trying to pull too much from the electrical system. A cap doesn't provide more power, it's designed to 'stiffen' the voltage to the amp, nothing else. If the current isn't there, a cap won't help. The alternator must have at least 20% more amperage power than the entire vehicle and sound system combined for a cap to be of benefit which is ironically the same requirements for an amp to be efficient. A cap does it's best to keep the voltage at a certain level, but if the voltage changes so will the cap voltage. The cap just makes the change smoother. The diming light syndrome isn't a voltage issue but rather a current (amperage) drop. The voltage simply follows what the current does. A cap does not help this situation at all. A cap doesn't provide more power nor does it try to correct it.





so a cap will just be a waste of your money.. you may not need to upgrade anything.. but if anything you will just need to do the "big three" upgrade



a ho alternator wouldnt hurt but go the cheaper way and upgrade the big three.. if that doesnt help any then go with a ho alternator

Patrick @ 2009-02-26 09:48:49

Well a high output alternator and doing the big 3 wiring would help you out the most on lights dimming see (http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~73496~PN~1). A capacitor only stiffens your signal see (http://www.cardiscountstereos.com/Caps.asp)



A couple decent capacitors

http://www.caraudiomix.com/POWER_ACOUSTIK_6_Farad_Car_Audio_Capacitor_Cap_p/pcnc-4f.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosgate-RFC2D-Digital-Capacitor/dp/B000TEMHTE



From what i've read for each 500w rms you have you want .5 farad to back it up. so 1000 w would want 1 farad, going bigger can't hurt though. HOWEVER I would more recommend the big 3 and ho alternator as the cap won't help if you can't keep the current.



Putting a capacitor on your electrical system doesn't really help much.. It just puts more load on your current electrical system.



Amps * Volts = Watts

Example: 110v * 2amps=220watts





Your best bet is to do the big 3 and upgrade your alternator to a higher output.





as to the question.. the better your electrical system the better its going to sound.

Clint @ 2009-02-26 09:50:30

Capacitor won't help with you dimming problem. It will only put a bandaid over it. A capacitor is the LAST thing you should add to you electrical. First is the big three upgrade. Then better batteries. Then a HO alternator. Then more batteries. And finally, a capacitor to help smooth the signal spikes (but thats more for SQ competitions).



Look at the third post in this thread if you think a capacitor has helped you system....

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380686

FurbiesAndBeans @ 2009-02-26 10:10:26

try the power acoustic 5 farad capaciter ...

and yes your bass will sound BETTER

me man @ 2009-02-26 10:26:21

[Subject]
Lights Dimming with capacitor?
[Question]
Ok i have a 750.1 kicker amp running 2 12 kenwoods. My lights dim when i turn my volume to what i want to listen to it at. Ive got a red top optima battery a 1 farad stinger capicator and my whole charging system is fine. My cap should b able to have enuff power since my amp isnt even 1000 watts rms.....any ideas?
adgsfdgdsfg

justin9005 @ 2009-02-26 08:37:13

[All Answers]
heavier gauge wire and maybe a different style connector than the typical crimp on ones, soldering makes a better connection. make sure you have a good connection at your ground as well

chevyss396427 @ 2009-02-26 08:43:03

A capacitor isnt a fix for a lights dimming problem....

A capacitor is only good so far as the audio system isn't trying to pull too much from the electrical system. A cap doesn't provide more power, it's designed to 'stiffen' the voltage to the amp, nothing esle. If the current isn't there, a cap won't help. The alternator must have at least 20% more amperage power than the entire vehicle and sound system combined for a cap to be of benefit which is ironically the same requirements for an amp to be efficient.

A cap just makes voltage changes more smooth it needs to be charges how would it solve your lightsz dimming problem if everytime it helps supply power... that power has to be recharged



The only fixes to your problem is The Big 3, and if that doesnt work a new alt...

What kind of car are you in?

For more information on what the big 3 is and how to do it...

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~73496~PN~1

EDIT:

Sorry :-(

Patrick @ 2009-02-26 08:49:56

DUDE. EVERYONE WITH ANY CAR AUDIO AMP.



listen. Doesn't matter what battery you have, what alternator you have, what capacitor you have or nothing. Your amp draws power. The power is so much at one time it draws from battery dimming everything for a sec. The alternator restores that power when you rev the engine. Dont worry about it. If you lights dim, that means your car can hit. (my lights dim so much they can't light the road up more than 3 feet in front of my car when i'm bumpin at max volume. I got 4-8's running 1500 watts. She Bands HARD.

mugzy91215 @ 2009-02-26 08:50:07

capacitors are a strain on your battery. get rid of it. its unnecesary

Samuel W @ 2009-02-26 10:03:20

Get rid of the capacitor. Do the big three upgrade. That should take care of the dimmings. If you still have dimmings, then either get a small car audio battery, or upgrade your alternator.



Read post 3 on this thread to read about how capacitors don't really help giving power.

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380686

FurbiesAndBeans @ 2009-02-26 10:17:23

thicker wires...

try bringing it to ur local car audio shop an have them look at it...

it might be defective or u might need a 2 or 3 farad cap cause kicker amps are under rated they can throw out some power

me man @ 2009-02-26 10:24:04

[Subject]
what kind and how big of amp with a 1200 subwoofer?
[Question]

maxwasberg @ 2009-02-26 07:44:04

[All Answers]
if thats a 1200 watt RMS subwoofer, then you would want an amp that puts out 1200 watts RMS at your subwoofer's ohm rating.



if its a 1200 watt max subwoofer, then you need to figure out the RMS rating, and get an amplifier that matches your subwoofer's rms at your subwoofer's ohm rating.

RJ @ 2009-02-26 07:49:45

When it says 1200, that means that if it gets over 1200 it will blow, but it cant stand to be fed 1200 all the time. I would get a 750 or 800 watt amp. that way it wont take too much power from the battery but there is no chance of it getting blown. A 1200 Watt sub doesnt mean you need a 1200 watt amp, you shouldnt do that. I have 2 12" Infinity's and i run a 800 watt amp, they are 1000watt each but they hit really hard with the 800 watt.

Double_X @ 2009-02-26 07:51:02

You want a mono amp not stereo. If your sub woofer is 1200 watts peak the rms is usually half so about 600 rms, I would get an amp with just a Little more rms power 700-800 watts rms. The more power the better I pasted below a really good amp for the money I own to audiobahn amps their great

Nick D @ 2009-02-26 08:16:33

you always go by rms NEVER peak....

i have a 1200 watt hifonics amp that is 1 ohm stable you could do that and wire you woofers down to 1 ohm if it can handle it

it all depends on the specs of the woofer

me man @ 2009-02-26 10:29:04

[Subject]
Which of these two subwoofer sound systems should I Buy?
[Question]
I'm gonna order one of these packages from ebay, now i do realize one amp is 1200 watts and the other is 800 max, but theres other differences and honestly i know squat about cars and sound systems so if any of you guys are know which is best please let me know, my purchase is gonna be based on yall here are the links



http://cgi.ebay.com/XXX-Car-Audio-2-12-Subs-Car-Amplifier-Amp-Kit-Sub-Box_W0QQitemZ220289086702QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Subwoofers_Enclosures?hash=item220289086702&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A3|294%3A50

thats the 1200 amp one

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-NEW-12-MPL-Subwoofers-Car-Amp-Amplifier-Kit-Sub-Box_W0QQitemZ120381839749QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Subwoofers_Enclosures?hash=item120381839749&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50

this is the other one, only 800 watts

|Xtc|John @ 2009-02-26 09:30:13

[All Answers]
they are both cheap crap neither of them even gives me their RMS.... only their Maximum power... aka the power that the components will blow up at which really doesnt help me... i would put a bit more research in

and a general rule of thumb

if it comes with a box 2 subs and an amp... its crap

Patrick @ 2009-02-26 09:56:36

Both of those are crap. With car audio, you get what you pay for. Best bet for budget is to buy one subwoofer, a good amp, and build the box yourself.



For good subwoofers that are cheap, look for type r, RE SE, Kicker CVR... nothing from pyle, boss, xxx, sony, dual, road master, etc...

FurbiesAndBeans @ 2009-02-26 10:00:19

to be honest with they they both suck...i have never heard of those brands before...

try this website they

www.onlinecarstere.com and on the right look for enclosed subwoofers

or www.sonicelectronix.com, click on the car audio and vidoe on top an then car subwoofers with enclosures, i personally recomend this sight.

try to stay with a reliable brand

hope this helps

me man @ 2009-02-26 10:20:49

[Subject]
Buying an Amp for my Vehicle, and wondering what is a good amp.?
[Question]
im thinking about buying a better amp for my truck, and i was wondering if this would be a good amp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Audio-Electronics__MAX-PRO-1000-WATT-2-CH-CAR-AUDIO-AMPS-AMPLIFIER-AMP_W0QQitemZ170304492899QQadiZ2812QQadnZCarQ20AudioQ20Q26Q20ElectronicsQQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_Video?hash=item170304492899&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ebayphotohosting

and if 1000 watt amp would be too much and mess with the power with my truck. (shut it off)

Altec @ 2009-02-26 08:20:43

[All Answers]
depends what speakers you have.



and that amp is really only 500 watts..

p54 @ 2009-02-26 08:27:16

Lanzar isnt a very good brand, I doubt that you can get the RMS power they put...



But the amp really depends on what speakers you're going to be running.



No, that amp won't take a huge toll on your electrical.

FurbiesAndBeans @ 2009-02-26 08:36:16

Doesn't matter what battery you have, what alternator you have. Your amp draws power. The power is so much at one time it draws from battery dimming everything for a sec. The alternator restores that power when you rev the engine. Dont worry about power wise. Seriously. lol





i can't see that amp but i just saw the power thing and needed to say that.

mugzy91215 @ 2009-02-26 08:51:48