Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Capacitor Question

Originally posted by contouranado:

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Kiki's take

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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. .

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This is incorrect, the Battery is the source of the current, the ALT has to then recharge the battery. By placing the cap in front of the amp it adds a cushion that can respond faster then the battery. The charging system senses the load and then responds with the ALT trying to put out more current (at idle though this wont be much) A battery will sustain a lot more then you guys seem to think.

Originally posted by contouranado:

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Amplifiers have to provide a very dynamic and quick response many times. A capacitor can assist in this.

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Originally posted by contouranado:

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A capacitor will NOT:
-replace the need for a larger, high-output alternator and/or a deep-cycle battery..

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That is right on the money with the battery.

Originally posted by contouranado:

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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...

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So with the car running the battery doesnt have any power in it? The ALT recharges the battery. If you have two batteries and you have a 100A draw system with a 70A alt. You will not kill your ALT from the stereo. Now if you have every accessory on (HEAT/Rear Defroster, Lights then add in Neons and a full system) Yes it would be possible to kill something if you ran it that hard every second of the day.

Originally posted by contouranado:

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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)....

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Thats the thing, if you sit with your car off for an hour and the stereo blasting, it will kill your battery and you will need soemthing else to charge your battery back up. If you have the engine running and are not playing sine waves through your system 24/7, regular music isnt not going to cause a problem for 90 percent of the cars with stereo's.

Originally posted by contouranado:

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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

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The original poster has a 300 watt amp. Do you think the cap and stock contour Alt can handle that? He most likely doesnt need the cap, but like someone said it isnt a bad investment. If he had 3000 watts rms (real power) he certainly would be looking for a bigger source of power.

I will drop by those forums later tonight.