[CBFryman]

hmmmm....the i dont think some grasp how an altnator works....it is a spinning magnet inside a stationary conductor feild....the speed of the altinator is 100% dependant upon engine speed.
lets say the altinator is rotation at 800RPM and all it has to do is keep the engine running...lets say that takes 30a...it is a 200a altinator...now lets add in electrical assesories and say they draw 20a...now we have one big amp....at most it will draw 150a....so we have a consnant of 50a and a maximum draw peak of 200a....assumeing the battery is charged.
beause everything in a cars electical system is wired in parallel when you add an extra load the resistance goes down....when an amp is producing a small signal the resistane of the power supply is high...when more power is needed the resistance drops...this will allow the altinator to flow more electrons.... the altinator is still spinning at 800RPM the only thing that changes is the oposition to turning...meaning it will put a slightly larger load on the enigine.... not the altinator...the altinator just changes mechanical energy into electro magnetic energy...it doesnt have to do any more work because it isnt the one producing the power...the engine is.
the ONLY thing a capasitor will do is smooth out the electrical needs from the altinator....keeping the resistance changes less sudden, but no matter what the energy will be restored. capasitors will help slightly to save regulators, yes, but not altinators...