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<blockquote data-quote="xSomeguyx" data-source="post: 587385" data-attributes="member: 552077">When two conductors are placed near eachother, with an insulator, an effect called &#039;capacitance&#039; is created.&nbsp; This capacitor (a piece of equipment with a certain degree of capacitance, measured in farads) will &#039;pass&#039; AC signals (meaning you will read an AC voltage on it), and also blocks DC voltage (since the two conductors are seperated, they don&#039;t conduct electricity, and the DC voltage is blocked).&nbsp; However, they also have a unique ability to store a charge, and discharge it when needed.&nbsp; They&#039;re used in timing circuits, as well as crossovers, and high/low pass filters.Why would you want (or need) one?&nbsp; Well, since it stores a charge, people use it to compensate for a poor electrical system in a car audio situation.&nbsp; If you play a deep bass note, your amp may use more current than your electrical system can provide, causing your lights to dim.&nbsp; A cap (or capacitor) will release whatever it can to make up for the lack of current, seemingly soliving problem.&nbsp; However, the capacitor also causes a load on the electrical sysem, which can be detrimental to the overall system.&nbsp; In this situation, there are better solutions, like the Big 3, or a high output alternator.&nbsp; These are true solutions, as opposed to the &#039;band-aid&#039; remarks that you hear.Does this mean they&#039;re useless?&nbsp; Not at all.&nbsp; Even in a performance audio situation, one may use a cap for power conditioning.&nbsp; Like I said before, it compensates for a loss of current.&nbsp; What if you crank on your AC?&nbsp; Well the cap would help keep the power to your amp consistant, incase the power will fluctuate.&nbsp; The real question is whether or not you need one...&nbsp; and the answer is almost certainly: not really.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="xSomeguyx, post: 587385, member: 552077"] When two conductors are placed near eachother, with an insulator, an effect called 'capacitance' is created. This capacitor (a piece of equipment with a certain degree of capacitance, measured in farads) will 'pass' AC signals (meaning you will read an AC voltage on it), and also blocks DC voltage (since the two conductors are seperated, they don't conduct electricity, and the DC voltage is blocked). However, they also have a unique ability to store a charge, and discharge it when needed. They're used in timing circuits, as well as crossovers, and high/low pass filters. Why would you want (or need) one? Well, since it stores a charge, people use it to compensate for a poor electrical system in a car audio situation. If you play a deep bass note, your amp may use more current than your electrical system can provide, causing your lights to dim. A cap (or capacitor) will release whatever it can to make up for the lack of current, seemingly soliving problem. However, the capacitor also causes a load on the electrical sysem, which can be detrimental to the overall system. In this situation, there are better solutions, like the Big 3, or a high output alternator. These are true solutions, as opposed to the 'band-aid' remarks that you hear. Does this mean they're useless? Not at all. Even in a performance audio situation, one may use a cap for power conditioning. Like I said before, it compensates for a loss of current. What if you crank on your AC? Well the cap would help keep the power to your amp consistant, incase the power will fluctuate. The real question is whether or not you need one... and the answer is almost certainly: not really. [/QUOTE]

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