2.9.6 I have more than one amp in my audio system. Which one should
I have the capacitor run? [MZ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The amplifiers are all connected in one way or another to the battery.
In fact, unless you're running separate power wires to each amplifier
all the way from the battery, they're usually connected at a more
proximal site (a distribution block, for example). The effects of the
capacitor are felt by the entire electrical system, including the
amplifiers. Therefore, you cannot selectively dedicate a capacitor to
a specific amplifier.
2.9.7 Will my bass response improve by adding a capacitor? [MZ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A capacitor serves to smooth the voltage fluctuations associated with
transient current draw. As a result, the supply voltage presented to
the amp during peak demands tends to be slightly higher than without
the capacitor. For most amplifiers, this will increase the power
output of the amplifier during transients. The degree to which it
increases, however, typically leads to an inaudible improvement.
To illustrate, if you consider an amplifier that delivers 100 watts at
14v and 80 watts at 12v (these numbers are somewhat typical), the
difference in output from the speaker will be at best 1 dB when the
supply voltage fluctuates from 14v to 12v. However, when you take into
account the fact that no practical amount of capacitance can completely
eliminate this voltage drop during transients, the difference in output
becomes even less pronounced. Further, if you take into account other
factors such as loudspeaker power compression (discussed elsewhere in
the FAQ), the equivalent series impedance of the capacitor, the length
of the transient, and the human's decreased ability to perceive
differences in intensity for shorter intervals, this difference in
output becomes negligible.
2.10 When should I upgrade my battery or add a second battery? [iDB]
======================================================================
The battery is most important when the engine is turned off, because it
supplies all of power to the audio system. The stock battery in your
car may not be up to the task of running a stereo with multiple (or
large) amplifiers if it can't supply enough current to the amplifiers.
Upgrading your current battery to a larger model may help solve the
problem because batteries like the Optima 800 offer a larger number of
cold cranking amps.
Generally, adding a second battery is great if you want to listen to
your stereo with the car turned off (and be able to start the car again
later!). This is accomplished using a dual-battery isolator: a device
which allows the second battery to be charged by the alternator, but
prevents the amplifiers that are connected to the second battery from
drawing any power from the main battery. Installing a second battery
may be done instead of upgrading the main battery.
I have the capacitor run? [MZ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The amplifiers are all connected in one way or another to the battery.
In fact, unless you're running separate power wires to each amplifier
all the way from the battery, they're usually connected at a more
proximal site (a distribution block, for example). The effects of the
capacitor are felt by the entire electrical system, including the
amplifiers. Therefore, you cannot selectively dedicate a capacitor to
a specific amplifier.
2.9.7 Will my bass response improve by adding a capacitor? [MZ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A capacitor serves to smooth the voltage fluctuations associated with
transient current draw. As a result, the supply voltage presented to
the amp during peak demands tends to be slightly higher than without
the capacitor. For most amplifiers, this will increase the power
output of the amplifier during transients. The degree to which it
increases, however, typically leads to an inaudible improvement.
To illustrate, if you consider an amplifier that delivers 100 watts at
14v and 80 watts at 12v (these numbers are somewhat typical), the
difference in output from the speaker will be at best 1 dB when the
supply voltage fluctuates from 14v to 12v. However, when you take into
account the fact that no practical amount of capacitance can completely
eliminate this voltage drop during transients, the difference in output
becomes even less pronounced. Further, if you take into account other
factors such as loudspeaker power compression (discussed elsewhere in
the FAQ), the equivalent series impedance of the capacitor, the length
of the transient, and the human's decreased ability to perceive
differences in intensity for shorter intervals, this difference in
output becomes negligible.
2.10 When should I upgrade my battery or add a second battery? [iDB]
======================================================================
The battery is most important when the engine is turned off, because it
supplies all of power to the audio system. The stock battery in your
car may not be up to the task of running a stereo with multiple (or
large) amplifiers if it can't supply enough current to the amplifiers.
Upgrading your current battery to a larger model may help solve the
problem because batteries like the Optima 800 offer a larger number of
cold cranking amps.
Generally, adding a second battery is great if you want to listen to
your stereo with the car turned off (and be able to start the car again
later!). This is accomplished using a dual-battery isolator: a device
which allows the second battery to be charged by the alternator, but
prevents the amplifiers that are connected to the second battery from
drawing any power from the main battery. Installing a second battery
may be done instead of upgrading the main battery.
