Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Capacitor Question

yeah you can get a cap for aesthetics(as many people do) or to smooth out the spikes of current drawn. it is fine for our car, but as far as this goes:

Quote:

---

i do have a friend, however, who put a capacitor on a system with 600 watts on his chevy monte carlo. he had a problem with his light dimming when the system would hit hard. since he put it in, he has had no problems.

---

thats a common misunderstanding, all he is doing is making his lights contiunously dimmer so it isnt noticeable. if the ground and power are upgraded, and ur still having problems, you probly gotta weak alt. (i dont know the rating for that particular car). and a cap has to be charged, this works the alt. even harder, and eventually will die. most cars can handle a moderate stereo system, and our cars can even handle 1,000+ watts rms. but when its an obvoious alternator problem, please dont get a cap, it'll cost u more in the long run, i've talked to many people who have run their alternator into the ground

just a heads up for ur friend

First, a cap for "looks" is just a silly statement. ALL caps are functional (unless you just bought the outer casing of one...lol) Everyone blames the ALT, well that is the biggest myth ever PERIOD. Why do your lights dim at idle because NO alternator makes big power at idle. You need to be at 2500-3000rpm before you see real power levels out of your ALT (amps). I had 6 amps in my SPL escort at max draw the total current draw was over 300A (this was measured and I blew a 200A fuse on a 20hz note with ease) That car had a stock ford alternator rated at 95A. We later added an adjustable voltage regulator. Even before that though, the lights never dimmed. Why because I had 4 extra batteries in the back to boot....LOL.

Too many people over estimate what truely is going on in thier car for the simple fact that they do not know any better. Before diagnosing anything make sure you use the proper tools.

So what have we learned? Your alt is perfectly fine if the lights dim. That is not how you "test" for a weak ALT. Now if you have a voltmeter, that would be the proper way of checking. Telling people they need an ALT because their headlights dim is just another "urban legend" that you are continuing to pass along for generations.....

How do you charge your cap to your battery w/out a charge card?

Steve

Um, from what I know, if it's hookd up to the battery at all, then it is charged...

yeah i know using one for looks is silly but ive seen a lotta pics of retarded people online who do it, i didnt say i supported it
.
but another "myth" is also that a capacitator is a solution for a weak alternator. like i said most contour owners wont need a HO alt., but many people on other forums, are using 2 1200.1 amplifiers off a car with a 95A alternator, and thinking their cap is going to be sufficient.
you may have drawn 300a off 4 batteries, but i'm saying i've talked to a lot of people with dead alternators, because the blared bass music at 90% volume with only about 1000 rms amps. there are cars with small dimming problems that can be fixed with a cap, but all i'm saying is
lots of people, especially people online are buying a cap(sometimes 2 or 3) or a yellow top and draining their alternator even more, when they really need to upgrade to a high output alternator. it is dangerous to electrical systems

my bad, i meant 1000 wrms, not amps
well here is the last post you will get from me, i dont like arguing on the internet because as everyone knows its like competing in the special olympics, even if you win you are still a retard
i know you are probly an expert in car audio, but i still have to disagree with you
with that said, read this(i've posted this b4, its from a professional installer for last decade, and he also has a degree in electrical systems or somethin like that, here:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kiki's take

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacitors

Well let's see. First, I'll define what a capacitor is, how it works, and what it does. This is best done by the following webpage:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/capacitr.htm

Now with that out of the way, I'll give my take on what a capacitor will or will not do for you.

A capacitor WILL:
-Stiffen voltage rails. If you experience very brief, momentary periods of high current demand that cause the electrical system to falter only at these rare, peak draw times, then a capacitor will supply the additional current needed (when bass hits maybe) to keep your voltage regulated, and prevent damage to the car or audio equipment.
-Increase response times for musical accuracy by reducing delay caused by a lack of high-current in transient periods. In other words, your subs will respond more quickly, because they don't have to wait for the alternator to supply additional current at the moment of demand. Amplifiers have to provide a very dynamic and quick response many times. A capacitor can assist in this.

A capacitor will NOT:
-replace the need for a larger, high-output alternator and/or a deep-cycle battery.
If your electrical system is inadequate, the ONLY way to fix this, and again I repeat, the ONLY WAY to fix this, is to replace the alternator. This is the SOLE source of electrical current for your car when the motor is running.
When the motor is turned off, the battery then becomes your source of electricity.
When the battery is run down, and when the capacotir(s) is/are depleted, the alternator has to work even harder in order to supply current to the car, the audio system, and also to recharge the capacitor(s) (which deplete very quickly) as well as recharge the car's battery(ies).
So yes, by adding a capacitor to try taking the place of a high-output alternator, you are actually causing more work for your alternator, and causing even more damage to that stock alternator.
-make your system magically sound 10 times better.

Many people believe that a capacitor adds NO real benefit to an audio system, and this is why you never see before and after demonstrations, or factory capacitor company vehicles at IASCA events.
A capacitor does have it's uses, but it is not a magical fix for a lacking electrical system.


if you want to argue this subject further, come to caraudiocentralforums.com and click the car audio discussion link. and you can come talk to some more professional installers, whove done lots of custom work and also talk to people who destroyed their alternator because people were telling them that a capacitator was a reliable substitute, and like idiots they believed it
later

I agree with Knuconceptz totally.

Listen and take notes, he is using his time to actually explain to you what is going on in a system, not just telling you that it is without a why. Sounds like he has alot more of experience in this field than most of us.