capasitors

I was just wondering do capasitors really keep your lights from dimming when you are running an amp? thanks.

they are supposed to but dont really- if your having issues with this you should upgrade your battery to a yellow top

before you go and upgrade your battery and/or buy a capacitor. Look into getting a high output alternator. It's about the same price as a yellow top and you'll be far better off with a better alternator than a better battery.

How many watts are you running? If your lights only dim a little bit using a capacitor will be okay. IMO caps are just a band aid and if you're running 1000 watts or less, then just using a cap is fine. If you notice significant drain throughout your electrical system look into getting a high output alt.

I was running 1500 watts just to my subs with a high output alternator and 1000 amp battery (not deep cycle) with a stinger 5 farad cap, and the lights only dimmed at a stop light,

before you go and upgrade your battery and/or buy a capacitor. Look into getting a high output alternator. It's about the same price as a yellow top and you'll be far better off with a better alternator than a better battery.


true, upgrading your alternator would be your absolute best option - but you might have a little difficulty finding an upgraded alternator as cheap as a new deepcycle battery- also you should keep in mind with an alternator your looking at installation charges if your not comfortable installing it yourself - to have the best of all worlds you should probably upgrade your alternator and battery - then again we dont know what your pushing and what your budget is etc...

www.4alterstart.com
Last time I checked you can get a 130 amp alt for around $150. Only about $30 more than an Optima Yellowtop, and installing an alt on a civic is cake.

if you can get an upgraded alternator for 150$ and install it/have it installed at a reasonable price - than im gonna have to agree with GScivic7 - thats the way to go - when i had my prelude i couldnt find one for less than 225 - so if you can get one for a buck 50 i say go for it--

Looks like prices have went up.
1996 135 amp alt (http://verizonsupersite.com/4alterstartcom/pages/store/skudetail.nhtml?profile=alternators&uid=10020&returnURL=http%3A//verizonsupersite.com/4alterstartcom/pages/common/sitesearch.nhtml%3Fquery%3D1996%20highoutput%20alt ernator&catuid=10155)

$200

Would still be worth it to me because your whole electrical system would be better off. But it really depends on how much power your running through that system.

yea i agree with getting your alternator done. might as well fix the problem at the source.

where did you find that 130 amp alternator, cause could never find one for a civic.

dude, i linked you to it.

1996 135 amp alt (http://verizonsupersite.com/4alterstartcom/pages/store/skudetail.nhtml?profile=alternators&uid=10020&returnURL=http%3A//verizonsupersite.com/4alterstartcom/pages/common/sitesearch.nhtml%3Fquery%3D1996%20highoutput%20alt ernator&catuid=10155)