How to hook up a capacitor

[Super sub!]

Well I am thinking about getting a capacitor for my system, the thing I am getting confused about Is the distribution block, it has the wire from the car batt goin in to it and wire from the cap the 1 wire commin out of that then going to the amp what kinda distribution block do I need? I have 4 gauge wire //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

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[mast240 10+ year member]

what is the reason you are looking to get a capacitor? main reasonn being, that they are pretty much worthless, in the large majority of set ups

 

[SplAffair 10+ year member]

its easy... you dont. they cause more stress on your electrical system. just do a big three/HO ALT.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Start by throwing it in the trash can..

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

in all the set ups bro^^

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

does more harm than good

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

:: NANOPULSER.COM.SG ::

This will help explain to you why the first step of hooking up a capacitor, is throwing it in the trash.

 

[ahole-ic]

its easy... you dont. they cause more stress on your electrical system. just do a big three/HO ALT.

No they don't.

 

---------- Post added at 06:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------

 

does more harm than good

No it doesn't.

In your rebuttal where you tell me what an idiot I am, include an electrical explanation of how this is possible.

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

No they don't. 

---------- Post added at 06:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------

 

No it doesn't.

In your rebuttal where you tell me what an idiot I am, include an electrical explanation of how this is possible.

they dont do more harm then good... some may argue that they end up pulling more amperage then they put out, do to the firing rate... but that is a mude reason.

the main reason they are "useless" in most set ups, is cuz they really do nothing for your electrical (unless you are running MASSIVE caps, and in that case, batts are cheaper)... but the smaller 1,5,10 farad capacitors, do not help your electrical, or "boost it" as i've heard many idiot shop owners claim...

the only time they are useful for your electrical, is if your trying to remove noise issues, then they can help with that... but other then that, their useless....

now can i tell you your an idiot? hahahah... j/k bro

 

[ahole-ic]

they dont do more harm then good... some may argue that they end up pulling more amperage then they put out, do to the firing rate... but that is a mude reason.
the main reason they are "useless" in most set ups, is cuz they really do nothing for your electrical (unless you are running MASSIVE caps, and in that case, batts are cheaper)... but the smaller 1,5,10 farad capacitors, do not help your electrical, or "boost it" as i've heard many idiot shop owners claim...

the only time they are useful for your electrical, is if your trying to remove noise issues, then they can help with that... but other then that, their useless....

now can i tell you your an idiot? hahahah... j/k bro

No, because you don't know wtf you're talking about. The smaller electrolytic caps are the only ones with low enough esr to have ANY use... which is the opposite of what you said. Also, discharge rate could never have anything to do with them drawing current while the system is already taxed. It takes a difference of potential (voltage) for current to flow. Since the capacitor's voltage CAN NEVER fall below the system voltage until the system recovers, then the capacitor cannot draw current under a load.

Still think I'm the idiot?

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

No, because you don't know wtf you're talking about. The smaller electrolytic caps are the only ones with low enough esr to have ANY use... which is the opposite of what you said. Also, discharge rate could never have anything to do with them drawing current while the system is already taxed. It takes a difference of potential (voltage) for current to flow. Since the capacitor's voltage CAN NEVER fall below the system voltage until the system recovers, then the capacitor cannot draw current under a load. Still think I'm the idiot?

Well actually, yes. He was messing around and you told him he doesn't know wtf he's talking about. Seems like stabbing someone for joking.

As far as your "it can't pull current until the system recovers", that's complete and utter BS. The other side of that cap is usually an amp(s). Those amps are going to draw current regardless of the system voltage. That is going to attempt to pull the current via it's only means (the wires that run through the cap). Now, in order for your amps to get the voltage they want, that storage in the cap will have to be filled. This means more current will be drawn to maintain the same 'load' which is that of the amp(s). So, truthfully, once a capacitor has unloaded on a fully taxed system, it does create a more lengthy strain on the alternator.

 

[ahole-ic]

Well actually, yes. He was messing around and you told him he doesn't know wtf he's talking about. Seems like stabbing someone for joking.

... because what he said before the joke was WRONG.

As far as your "it can't pull current until the system recovers", that's complete and utter BS.

No... it's not. It's undeniably true.

The other side of that cap is usually an amp(s). Those amps are going to draw current regardless of the system voltage.

What does this have to do with the cap? This is the AMP... not the cap. Lol.

That is going to attempt to pull the current via it's only means (the wires that run through the cap).

The cap is wired in parallel.... not series thus nullifying your entire argument.

Now, in order for your amps to get the voltage they want, that storage in the cap will have to be filled. This means more current will be drawn to maintain the same 'load' which is that of the amp(s). So, truthfully, once a capacitor has unloaded on a fully taxed system, it does create a more lengthy strain on the alternator.

No, it doesn't. You are speaking WAY above your pay grade. You have no understanding on this subject. It rests at the system voltage. CURRENT IS ALWAYS DRAWN FROM THE HIGHEST SOURCE OF POTENTIAL (VOLTAGE) IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT. What does this mean? It means that ALL CURRENT is drawn from whatever has the highest voltage. So, when your alternator craps out and drops below 14v, your batteries float in the 13's so they aren't discharging until the voltage gets down to there. The capacitor floats at the circuit voltage so it's still at 14+v. It discharges until the circuit voltage gets down to the batt voltage or where the alt can keep up. Then it's at the circuit voltage.... whatever that is. Since there is no difference of potential, it's not drawing any current. Then once the alternator can raise it's voltage back up, there is a difference of potential again and the capacitor can recharge. So, in short a capacitor may not store enough charge to be useful, BUT A CAPACITOR CANNOT HARM YOUR SYSTEM.

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

basically ur just charging 1% of anything

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

No, it doesn't. You are speaking WAY above your pay grade. You have no understanding on this subject. It rests at the system voltage. CURRENT IS ALWAYS DRAWN FROM THE HIGHEST SOURCE OF POTENTIAL (VOLTAGE) IN A PARALLEL CIRCUIT. What does this mean? It means that ALL CURRENT is drawn from whatever has the highest voltage. So, when your alternator craps out and drops below 14v, your batteries float in the 13's so they aren't discharging until the voltage gets down to there. The capacitor floats at the circuit voltage so it's still at 14+v. It discharges until the circuit voltage gets down to the batt voltage or where the alt can keep up. Then it's at the circuit voltage.... whatever that is. Since there is no difference of potential, it's not drawing any current. Then once the alternator can raise it's voltage back up, there is a difference of potential again and the capacitor can recharge. So, in short a capacitor may not store enough charge to be useful, BUT A CAPACITOR CANNOT HARM YOUR SYSTEM.

Well in parallel, a cap is acting solely as a storage facility, and with it's tiny capacity and quick cycles, it's doing nothing for voltage; which pertains more to the OP than your fact that it can't harm the system. I never said it would harm the system, I simply stated it would make for lengthier draws. Electricity is funny in the fact that it takes all avenues it can to try to equalize POTENTIAL. With that said, even in parallel, the cap has a storage facility, that once emptied needs to be filled and the stored up potential and capacity; will attempt at reconciling itself across the entire circuit. Your () definition of potential is only part true, as potential is not only voltage, but the total energy difference. This takes into account both voltage (the force of electricity), the amperage (the amount of electricity that can flow at any given time) and the wattage (the amount of power the battery has, and the consuming facilities need). Again, electricity is constantly in an attempt at levelling all of these parts at all times. Therefore, a capacitor has a negative effect on the state of your system, unless that tiny amount of storage is the break point between you having a net loss of energy or the ability for your storage to hold off the consuming facility long enough for generation to up its pace. Still, more than likely, the best (only) option, is to increase generation in the form of a HO alternator.

 

[ColterDC 10+ year member]

.A CAPACITOR CANNOT HARM YOUR SYSTEM.

It harms my pocket book by wasting money that I could have spent on something more useful for my system, thus harming my system //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif