why not a capacitor?

[capitolj80]

I've read a few responses on here saying that capicitors are not the way to go. Given, i've never actually used one, but I was intending on wiring one into the system in putting together now (im tired of being short on pwer supply). I've had a couple of friends that used them (one a competion winner) and they all swear by them. If yer using the right one and it's installed correctly, i just dont see how it's not a benefit. I know there are other options, but this seems like the most praactical one. This is precisely what these things are designed for. However, i know that alot of you have more technical experience with more products than me, so if someone could fill me in on what im missing, that'd be a help..thnx

[stuckinok]

biggest waste of money in the world.....

do a little more searching since this question has been answered alot

[Orion Man]

Read.... It will answer all your questions...

http://forum.realmofexcursion.com/sh...ad.php?t=17970

[shortyg83]

Caps are not a waste of money if used correctly. If you have a good strong electrical alt/batteries, caps could be ok. But they are normally misused. They do not stop dimming/ and are not a substitution for a second battery or bigger alt.

[Duckman]

This is what the Zeff man says...

This was taken from Zed Audio's manual.

Stiffening capacitors -
These are of NO use with our amplifiers due to the fact that the amplifiers have fully regulated power supplies. The power supplies will compensate for small volt drops which exist on the +12v power cable. The amount of current drawn by a particular amplifier would drain a fully charged 1 Farad capacitor almost instantly. Consider the theory. Energy (Joules) = Power(Watts) x Time(Seconds). The energy in a 1 Farad capacitor = 0.5CV.V= 0.5x1x12x12= 72 Joules. Let us assume a medium size amplifier such as Draconia. Let us assume that we are playing it such that all four channels (into 4 ohms each) are just clipping on the loudest musical peaks. This means that we are delivering 300 watts on peaks. The amplifier's average efficiency is about 45. The peak to average power ratio is about 20 so average power is 20 of 300 = 60 watts. The input power is therefore 133 watts. If the 1 Farad capacitor was charged to 12 volt and we remove the main source of power - the battery, the amp would remain playing for 0.54 seconds! (Put the numbers in the formula (E=PxT above and solve for time T). Now compare this to the battery. The amplifier will play for some hours (depends on actual battery of course) as compared to 0.54 seconds! So what good is a 1 Farad capacitor? Assign the above example to a Megalith playing into a 1 ohm load. Going through the mathematics the 1 Farad capacitor would keep the amplifier playing for 0.14 seconds. So if the voltage at the amplifier's power terminal dropped by say 1 volt the amplifier's power supply will correct for this on a continuous basis. The stiffening capacitor however has nowhere close to the energy reserve to compensate for a 1 volt drop. The main internal power supply capacitors hold 100 Joules of energy and these are more effective than any stiffening capacitor since they do not have to contend with the in-efficiencies of the amplifier's power supply.

Probably more than you wanted to know but at least this explains it....

[capitolj80]

well, that was one long and detailed artical...lucking for me i was able to comprehend. so i guess im thinking a second battery will be in order. I'm gonna be running aroung 1,000 rms and i think the amp takes two 40 amp fuses. So should i just go with an 80 amp altenator (i think my new car has a 40) or a second battery in the trunk? thnx guys

[stuckinok]

do the big three first and see how that works out

[lilmaniac2]

well, that was one long and detailed artical...lucking for me i was able to comprehend. so i guess im thinking a second battery will be in order. I'm gonna be running aroung 1,000 rms and i think the amp takes two 40 amp fuses. So should i just go with an 80 amp altenator (i think my new car has a 40) or a second battery in the trunk? thnx guys

If you only have 80 amps of fusing, your not going to get 1000 watts unless your amp is VERY VERY efficient. I also highly doubt your alternator is a 40 amp alt. My old crx which had about as few electronics and any vehicle I know of had 60 amp. If your going to buy an alternator you should buy one that is at least 150 amps as it probably will be the same price as any good alternator.

[ace_800]

Your cars gotta do more that 40amps for your alt...

[BringDaBoom]

Power Cells and regulated amp power supplies have left caps to be no more than eye candy for installs. Replace your battery with a Kinetik 1400 and you'll have not only a much better battery but the power of about 100 farads all in one.

[capitolj80]

feel alot better about what to do now...thnx fer the help fellas