Cap install

[supermaxx123 10+ year member]

I have a 2farad cap with voltage display and relay, thats what it says on it. I just wanted to know if these things ever turn off when hooked up. I only tested it on the battery so will it make a difference if hooked up in parallel with the amp?

As far as i know it doesnt turn off until it reaches 7v.

Should the cap hold a 12v charge after being unplugged?

I was getting a .15amp draw when it was connected to the battery with the car off.

I just want to use it to see if it fixes my volt drop from 14.4-14v

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[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

the caps voltage should end up being the same as the voltage of the battery.. at all times, it should never go down unless the in-line fuse is removed, thus removing the power source from the cap causing it's power to eventually drain out

it will not fix your voltage drop, a voltage drop from 14.4-14 is not a bad thing, a lot of people wish for voltage drops that low, me being one of them //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

you dont need that cap, only complain when you see your voltage going from 14.4 to 12.6 and below.. then work on dealing with it.. not with a drop that low

just my .02

 

[supermaxx123 10+ year member]

I understand but i would really like to see it at a constant 14.4v, i know im anal about it. Plus i bought the **** cap and its just sitting there, might as well try it right?

I just dont want this thing draining my battery.

it does stay constant with the battery, when i disconnect it drains.

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

It will cut off when the voltage equalizes between the cap and the battery. It also will not solve a voltage problem. And you don't have enough drop to warrant adding a reserve battery. I wouldn't worry about anything until you get below 13v.

 

[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

I understand but i would really like to see it at a constant 14.4v, i know im anal about it. Plus i bought the **** cap and its just sitting there, might as well try it right? I just dont want this thing draining my battery.

it does stay constant with the battery, when i disconnect it drains.

the cap wont help you keep a steady 14.4 volts..

how many RMS total are you running through your system, and what size wire? the cap wont drain your battery, they shut off after the voltage stays the same (when the car is off) for 1-2 minutes (depending on the cap)

if you REALLY want to maintain 14.4 volts at ALL times heres what you do

upgrade to a 200-250amp High Output alternator, replace your existing battery with a deep cycle battery (optima yellow top, kinetik, deka, etc.) and add 2 more deep cycle batteries in parallel to eachother in the trunk (same batteries as the one under the hood)

then you wont have to worry about it, oh and btw that might cost some money... i dont recommend doing it unless you absolutly are pulling the power needed to do so, 3000rms + IMO.

edit:

have you done the big three yet? if not try tthat, see if it helps at all. it should.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

the caps voltage should end up being the same as the voltage of the battery.. at all times, it should never go down unless the in-line fuse is removed, thus removing the power source from the cap causing it's power to eventually drain out
it will not fix your voltage drop, a voltage drop from 14.4-14 is not a bad thing, a lot of people wish for voltage drops that low, me being one of them //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

you dont need that cap, only complain when you see your voltage going from 14.4 to 12.6 and below.. then work on dealing with it.. not with a drop that low

just my .02

Actually that's what caps are made for //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

If it's actually a decent cap, and your not running an ungodly amount of power, yes it will help with your voltage drop. But it should be run in series with the amp...

should go: battery -> cap -> amp

 

[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

Actually that's what caps are made for //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

yeah but adding a 2F cap wont stop it from going from 14.4 down to 14 (which not many people consider that a true voltage drop)... lol

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

yeah but adding a 2F cap wont stop it from going from 14.4 down to 14 (which not many people consider that a true voltage drop)... lol

Why not? That's what capacitors are built for, if it can discharge quick enough, and he's not running very much power it will most certainly help him keep a steady voltage...

 

[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

Why not? That's what capacitors are built for, if it can discharge quick enough, and he's not running very much power it will most certainly help him keep a steady voltage...

we dont know how much he's running yet.. i used to have 2 12" mtx 4500s on an alpine mrp.m450 (400rms @ 2 ohms) with a pcx2 (2 farad cap, same i have now) and still had a voltage drop from 14.4 to 13.8..

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

So because YOU still had a voltage drop means EVERY system that uses a cap will still have a voltage drop?

 

[supermaxx123 10+ year member]

Actually that's what caps are made for //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif
If it's actually a decent cap, and your not running an ungodly amount of power, yes it will help with your voltage drop. But it should be run in series with the amp...

should go: battery -> cap -> amp

Caps smooth out voltage, thats why i am thinking it might help.

I think it would be parallel, negative and postitive never cross, series would be running negative to positive like on a dvc sub to increase ohms.

Running it parallel between the battery and amp is what i meant.

I'm going to give it a try sometime and let you guys know if its helps or just lights up and looks retarded.

the cap is:

American Accesories

powercap- 50v

2F

24vdc max

95*C

I dont think its the best thing out there:crap:

 

[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

So because YOU still had a voltage drop means EVERY system that uses a cap will still have a voltage drop?

yes.

 

[supermaxx123 10+ year member]

Its in my sig.

 

[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

Caps smooth out voltage, thats why i am thinking it might help.I think it would be parallel, negative and postitive never cross, series would be running negative to positive like on a dvc sub to increase ohms.

Running it parallel between the battery and amp is what i meant.

I'm going to give it a try sometime and let you guys know if its helps or just lights up and looks retarded.

the cap is:

American Accesories

powercap- 50v

2F

24vdc max

95*C

I dont think its the best thing out there:crap:

why dont you just hook it up and find out for yourself?

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Caps smooth out voltage, thats why i am thinking it might help.I think it would be parallel, negative and postitive never cross, series would be running negative to positive like on a dvc sub to increase ohms.

Running it parallel between the battery and amp is what i meant.

I'm going to give it a try sometime and let you guys know if its helps or just lights up and looks retarded.

the cap is:

American Accesories

powercap- 50v

2F

24vdc max

95*C

I dont think its the best thing out there:crap:

You know I think your right, positive connected to both the battery positive and amp positive, then negative connected to chassis...good lord and I call myself an electrical engineer? (or at least I will when I graduate, lol)

yes.

lol, no