Connecting 2 Amps to 1 Capacitor

[lostboy]

Hi,

I've managed to get hold of a complete stereo system which was originally professionally installed in a car (a subaru wrx, i believe) and then removed when the guy figured out he couldn't afford the car. I've got most of the system sorted but still have a couple of things I'm not 100% sure about..

The main question is, in the original setup, it has 2 amps, 1 set to 2 channel for both the subs, and 1 set to 4 channel for the speakers. It has one capacitor for the whole setup.

Do I connect from the positive terminal of the battery onto the positive terminal of the capacitor, and then from the negative terminal of the capacitor with 2 wires, each going to the seperate amps? Or am I completely wrong?

Thanks in advance,

lst

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

It's highly likely this thread will turn into a flamefest as it's a capacitor question so...

IBTL //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

You don't actually need the capacitor at all. If you have charging system issues and need to improve the current output of your vehicle to support the audio equipment you'll achieve much more positive results by upgrading the "Big 3" wiring underhood and/or upgrading the alternator to a high ouput model (or having your current one rebuilt, whichever is cheaper/easier) For further details regarding the Big 3 do a forum search on exactly that - Big 3 - and then have a read. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Having said that: you're completely wrong.

If you're going to use the capacitor at all:

Is the capacitor one of the type that requires charging prior to use? If so did you get the charging card/bulb for it? Not all caps require pre-charging but most do. If the one you have requires it simply hooking it up to 12v power and ground will ruin it.

Whether or not it requires charging as far as hookup is concerned you'll run positive feed from the battery to the positive terminal of the cap. Another power cable will be connected to the positive terminal to be connected to the power input of whatever amp(s) the capacitor is intended to assist. Common theory is 1 farad of capacitance per 1000 watts of continuous amp output.

The negative terminal of the cap should be connected to chassis ground, just like any other piece of audio gear. It's not for any amp to be hooked to.