Capacitor war...

[notladstyle@yahoo.]

I was wondering if anyone was interested in arguing points for or against end line capacitors. I happen to be for them, but ive heard plenty of ppl against and I didnt find a deticated thread / poll to the argument....

[sr20de4evr]

Where's the option for "they have their use, but only in 1% of the systems that have them are they really needed". Their only real value is to back up a strong electrical system so it can respond quicker to current demands, NOT to cover up a weak electrical system, there are other devices that are cheaper and much more efficient for that purpose. There are other things that should come first before a cap, things like a new battery, alternator, or better wiring that can actually help the electrical system instead of just covering up problems. Only after all of that is taken care of should a cap be considered IMO.

[ngsm13]

Originally Posted by sr20de4evr

Where's the option for "they have their use, but only in 1% of the systems that have them are they really needed". Their only real value is to back up a strong electrical system so it can respond quicker to current demands, NOT to cover up a weak electrical system, there are other devices that are cheaper and much more efficient for that purpose. There are other things that should come first before a cap, things like a new battery, alternator, or better wiring that can actually help the electrical system instead of just covering up problems. Only after all of that is taken care of should a cap be considered IMO.

Tis true! Also, chances are...when you complete those other electrical system upgrades...you won't need a capacitor.

In all honesty, the only purpose a capacitor really serves is smoothing out voltage The MAIN REASON to use a capacitor is to filter out the AC component that the DC current flows on.

NG

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by ngsm13

Tis true! Also, chances are...when you complete those other electrical system upgrades...you won't need a capacitor.

In all honesty, the only purpose a capacitor really serves is smoothing out voltage The MAIN REASON to use a capacitor is to filter out the AC component that the DC current flows on.

NG

..... except car amps don't pull straight DC from the battery. Modern amps use DC to DC switching power supplies operating at like +50Khz. The cap can help smooth this out - but they are rather expensive, so I would try one first to see if it actually helps.

And if you had read the "newbie thread" you will know not to get one with a DVM (voltmeter) on the top

[ngsm13]

Originally Posted by PaulD

..... except car amps don't pull straight DC from the battery. Modern amps use DC to DC switching power supplies operating at like +50Khz. The cap can help smooth this out - but they are rather expensive, so I would try one first to see if it actually helps.

And if you had read the "newbie thread" you will know not to get one with a DVM (voltmeter) on the top

I will personally NEVER use on. I'm stating what a VALID use for one is, which I still don't agree with. Throwing the information out there...if you will...

It's from:
http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=84120

NG

[Omega_5]

hey. i just have a 1 farad cap so that i can save my alternator (i'm kinna hard on them). I also hate that rev-bounce that you get when your idling and you system hit HARD, found that caps stop that. I guess its all personal preference, really.

[ngsm13]

Originally Posted by Omega_5

hey. i just have a 1 farad cap so that i can save my alternator (i'm kinna hard on them). I also hate that rev-bounce that you get when your idling and you system hit HARD, found that caps stop that. I guess its all personal preference, really.

NG

[notladstyle@yahoo.]

Originally Posted by ngsm13

NG

hes right about the cap taking stress of the alternator... and for that matter every other electrical component in your car, especially at idle

[sr20de4evr]

How would they take stress off of anything?

All they do is spread the load out, the alternator still has to do the exact same amount of work that it had to do before, it just has a fraction of a second longer to do it with a cap. They don't "save" anything...if your alternator is going to go in a month then it's going to go in a month whether or not you have a cap.

[ngsm13]

Originally Posted by notladstyle@yahoo.

hes right about the cap taking stress of the alternator... and for that matter every other electrical component in your car, especially at idle

Completely Incorrect! You obviously have no true grasp of electrical charging systems what-so-ever.

Originally Posted by sr20de4evr

How would they take stress off of anything?

All they do is spread the load out, the alternator still has to do the exact same amount of work that it had to do before, it just has a fraction of a second longer to do it with a cap. They don't "save" anything...if your alternator is going to go in a month then it's going to go in a month whether or not you have a cap.

If anything, a capacitor creates ANOTHER load on the alternator. It has something else it has to "re-charge". Everytime the bass hits and the capacitor discharges, the alternator has to "re-fill" the capacitor as well as take care of EVERYTHING else in the electrical system

NG

[notladstyle@yahoo.]

Originally Posted by ngsm13

Completely Incorrect! You obviously have no true grasp of electrical charging systems what-so-ever.


If anything, a capacitor creates ANOTHER load on the alternator. It has something else it has to "re-charge". Everytime the bass hits and the capacitor discharges, the alternator has to "re-fill" the capacitor as well as take care of EVERYTHING else in the electrical system

NG

I types a long description of how caps slow the demand down allowing more time to charge and then i realized that you obviously know nothing beyond big battery big wires big fuses huh?

[ngsm13]

Originally Posted by notladstyle@yahoo.

I types a long description of how caps slow the demand down allowing more time to charge and then i realized that you obviously know nothing beyond big battery big wires big fuses huh?

HUH?!

I don't even understand what your saying...

NG

[germanyt]

i used to think that caps did alot. i have 2 1 farads and honestly i dont know it my lights could dim anymore without going out. for a system of less than say 500 watts it might do something. it also looks cool when you have your amp and cap layed out. my caps are no longer visible, so i dont think they are doing anything for me. im getting a red top for under the hood and a yellow top in the trunk. also i need to do a big 3 upgrade. 2000 wrms and trying to save my alternator with caps, uhh, not gonna happen. and another thing, capacitors of that size are extremely dangerous. they are not very stable. i work with capacitors all the time and they do not bother me but when i was charging up my first 1 farad with my battery, i though i was going to pass out, just the 500 MICRO farad cap in a camera flash will scare the shit out of you if it shocks you. imagine what something 2000 times that would do.

[ponchonutty]

Caps have their place. Yes, if you have a weak battery and cables on either a huge amp or just a ineffecient one, a cap won't help much. But, with a properly laid out system, they work. Yes, they won't lessen the load on the altinator but it will help level it out. It actually helps save the regulator so it doesn't have to constantly yo-yo from putting out a little and a lot. Many times when people say their altinator is shot, it isn't but the regulator is.

When I first did my system in my Libby all I did for the electrical was put in good cables and a cap. Everything was fine. Lights didn't dim at all. Now, my stock battery has just under 50k miles on it. The lights will dim even with the bass turned off. I need to stop being lazy and pull a gel cel out of the warehouse.

[notladstyle@yahoo.]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

Caps have their place. Yes, if you have a weak battery and cables on either a huge amp or just a ineffecient one, a cap won't help much. But, with a properly laid out system, they work. Yes, they won't lessen the load on the altinator but it will help level it out. It actually helps save the regulator so it doesn't have to constantly yo-yo from putting out a little and a lot. Many times when people say their altinator is shot, it isn't but the regulator is.

When I first did my system in my Libby all I did for the electrical was put in good cables and a cap. Everything was fine. Lights didn't dim at all. Now, my stock battery has just under 50k miles on it. The lights will dim even with the bass turned off. I need to stop being lazy and pull a gel cel out of the warehouse.

The electrical load isn't reduced, but stopping hte yo yo from the regulator will def offer your alternator a longer life... just adding that.

i used to think that caps did alot. i have 2 1 farads and honestly i dont know it my lights could dim anymore without going out. for a system of less than say 500 watts it might do something. it also looks cool when you have your amp and cap layed out. my caps are no longer visible, so i dont think they are doing anything for me. im getting a red top for under the hood and a yellow top in the trunk. also i need to do a big 3 upgrade

If you have two 1 farad caps and 2000wrms and you didnt upgrade B3 - mainly the ground, that would be your problem. If you have a 4ga or 2ga kit wire but only a 8 ga alternator and charging wire your system will basicly be running as if you had a 8ga power wire. When your car is running there is already a significant draw on that 8ga ground as well, your lights will definitely dim because that puny little 8ga grounding wire cannot supply the current to the running engine/the headlights/ and your suckling amp & caps.

Before you ditch the caps, upgrade the wiring. I think you will notice a very large increase in power and a sharp decline in light dimming.