check capacitor working?

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I would have to agree with Prowler in this case. Except for in MY case. I know what everyone is thinking but hear me out. A year and half ago I noticed at night I was getting slight dimming in my headlights when a hard bass crash hit. Example: I was listening to Stabbing Westward. Anyway, I found a couple 1 farad caps at Parts Express which were on sale for $50 a piece. Installed them not really caring if they worked wonders or not since I was only out $100 if they didn't help. Keep in mind I had already upgraded my wires under the hood - 4 gauge from the alt to the battery, etc . But I only have a stock or little better alternator. I didn't notice any difference in sound of course but when I took a ride that night with the music up loud (and I brought a bass-heavy cd with me) the headlights were NO longer dimming. I know a HO alt would be the BEST way to fix this problem but when I priced them they were over $300 for one for my car and that is ALOT more than the $100 I spent on the caps. So to put plainly........the capacitors HELPED my system. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

That is speaking from my personal exprience.

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

How 'bout this, iceteebone...
I won a Stinger 1 farad monitor-top capacitor in a local raffle. I reckon it's a pretty nice one as far as caps go (though I'm certainly no expert on capacitors) Monitor-top, self-charging (no charging card or bulb needed) blue LED voltage readout, more blue LEDs on each side that cycle flash in one direction or the other dependant on whether current is being drawn out of the cap or being sucked into it as it recharges, and a blue neon ring encircling the entire monitor top. To be honest that probably has absolutely zero to do with its level of quality ~ just makes it more flashy than a plain jane version. I installed it (A) 'cause it looks pretty cool and (B) I wanted to see for myself if there was any real-world advantage to their usage.

Making an A/B comparo testing voltage with my DMM at the battery and at the power terminals on my monoblock with the stereo at a moderate volume level and then again somewhere approaching wide-open I noticed a variance of less than .02vdc comparing amp voltage at the power terminals without the cap inline and then again with it. I ended up uninstalling it to reclaim some trunk space in what was an already overly crowded trunk to begin with. It didn't look that cool!

Average retail price on this particular cap (model # SC201MNC) ran somewhere around $150, retailer dependant.

With such a minimal (read that as inaudible) voltage difference I can't justify suggesting to anyone that they should purchase one. Especially if that purchase is intended to stave off under-voltage problems. That $$$, IMO, would be better off spent upgrading the Big 3 with enough scratch left for dinner and a few DVD rentals.

Just my $0.02 based on personal experience.

Curious, was your test over a prolonged period of time or just over one instant. And did you allow plenty of time for charging?

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Curious, was your test over a prolonged period of time or just over one instant. And did you allow plenty of time for charging?

Here's how I did this -

No cap installed, tested using 'Get Some Crunk In Ya System' by Trillville Feat. Pastor Troy:

With the car running (at idle) and with the volume on my HU set at 20 (35 being wide open) I took a reading at the battery and at the terminals on my sub amp. It's summer and I'm in Louisiana so the A/C was going too. Voltage readings at both locations showed approx 13.83vdc. I then adjusted the idle up to about 1800RPM so I wouldn't need to hold the gas pedal down (I didn't have anyone else to help me do this) and took readings again. Both locations showed 14.65vdc with the motor turning over a bit faster.

I then returned the idle speed to normal to start the test over. All accessories were then turned off (A/C, stereo, etc) and the car was allowed to run for about 10 minutes to top off the battery.

Then the same process as above was used but with the volume set on 32 of 35 (same test track being played) Voltage readings at idle showed about 13.55vdc. Readings above idle showed around 14.56vdc.

In your question about did I allow sufficient time for charging...were you meaning time to replenish the battery or time to charge the cap? If the former then see above. If the latter then the answer is N/A. The time to charge this cap is almost immeasurable. As soon as it is connected to power and ground you hear a high-pitched whine (best I can describe it) as it draws current into itself but that process lasts less than half a second.

I then repeated the above-described process but with the cap installed.

Voltage readings throughout the second run (cap installed) showed a variance of less than 1/10 of a volt.

*shrug* This particular cap I have looks pretty cool, IMO, but I'd have been mighty disappointed if I had actually bought it rather than winning it in a $1 raffle. (I was still disappointed, mind you, the cap was 3rd prize...1st prize was a 12" TDX //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/furious.gif.fc81ca146dbff91fede3ed290dbc4f4c.gif

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

ok. Just wanna let you know, i wasnt tryin to prove you wrong or anythin i was just curious. I dont ever get deep into the cap threads as I have split opinions

 

[newzie01 10+ year member]

to answer the first question, just get a volt meter.

To get into the whole cap debate, i have a 2 fared that has a distribution piece on the top. Ive got it ran to my sub amp and 4 ch. i know thats a lot fo power to split but o well sue me. i dont think that an external cap will solve everyones problem. Botton line is, if charged right youll get a constant 14v at the amp. Like numerous people have said, there are caps in the amps and it will draw from those first but the extra cap will give the amp something other then the battery to draw from when it needs more juice.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

ok. Just wanna let you know, i wasnt tryin to prove you wrong or anythin i was just curious. I dont ever get deep into the cap threads as I have split opinions

No worries, Cap'n! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif I wasn't on the defensive....just trying to provide a complete answer to your question.