Power Capacitors

[Allanon1313]

Ok, I just bought a 1200W Profile amp. It's putting a LOT of stress on my electrical system. I need a power capacitor, but my question is how big? Do I go 1 farad and be under capacitated (new word i think) or go 2 farad and be over capacitated. I know there are 1.2 and 1.5 farads, but my local shops only have 1 and 2 farad. Which is best?

Second question (likely a dumb one) where in the wiring does the capacitor go? I know it goes on the wire from the battery to the amp, but does it go before or after the fuse holder?

Thanks for the help.

[Brandish]

Have you read the Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks?

And BTW, you don't need a cap... You need to upgrade your magic three wires under the hood and consider a high-output alternator or second battery. What's the fuse rating on that amp and what kind of car is it in?

[Mannyb18b]

Upgrade your big three wiring (do a search on this forumn for it, you will find alot). Upgrade your underhood battery to an Optima Yellow Top, this should give you enough, but it the extra strain continues its time for a new high output alternator. But try those first steps first ( in order).

[Allanon1313]

yes, brandish, i did read the series. Great books.

But outside of that. What are the magic three wires?

[Mannyb18b]

read inside the parenthasis (spl?)

[Diceman83]

Yeah, there have been multiple debates on the cap subject, and every time the caps lose. Big three, batteries and high output alternators are far more important.

Think about it: a battery has about 60 - 80 amps of electricity it can discharge at any given time. A cap has what? 2? I never got a clear answer on that one, but it's pretty small comparitively. Thing is, that's only for any given instant; music is continuous, meaning that once that little bit of juice has been sucked up, all the load is back on your battery/alternator. If it's even longer, and your battery starts getting depleted, it all falls on your alternator. Most cars have between a 50 amp and 80 amp alternator, which will power 600 watts to 1500 watts depending on voltage. Your alternator also has a regulator on it that won't allow more than a given amperage through (to protect against wire heating). I'm not sure if you'll have to reset it if you replace the wires, so you'll have to ask here.

That was basically a run down of the discussions we've had before, and I don't claim to be completely accurate.

[Mannyb18b]

where the hell did this whole book reading thing come into play?

[Brandish]

Well Allanon is one of the last of the Druids to roam the Four Lands. He is the sole protector of Paranor and the Druid's Keep, and also aids the Ohmsfords in their various quests throughout the Shannara series. He's kind of like the Gandalf of the story, only not so much of a pussy. Acutally, most of the time he just comes off as a dick, but since he's 7' tall, strong as Rock Troll and can shoot blue fire from his fingers, most people just prefer to not piss him off. So there you have it.

[Diceman83]

...ok... over my head. I'm assuming you two know each other for Brandish to just ask such a random sounding question.

[balls_to_the_wall]

[L|_|da]

dude... that has absolutly nothign to do with the topic....

but do the big three upgrade, then bettery, then alternator. caps are fairly useless.