Richard Clark on capacitors

[nauc 10+ year member]

http://forum.realmofexcursion.com/showthread.php?t=17970

Click to read more...

 

[hannibal05 10+ year member]

WOW interesting read to say the least!!

 

[stratusrt01 10+ year member]

I posted that a long time ago, glad to see some people actually took the time to read it.

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

good read so far.

i like mr clark //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[tru_44 10+ year member]

nice read very interesting

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

Kind of a long winded explanation of things that should be obvious.

I guess for people that can't believe the theory behind it, that article had some good numbers and actual tests to back up what is common sense.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

I looked to see who bumped an old thread, expecting this to be 2+ years old. To my surprise, its a current thread. lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

Seriously guys, RC has been the most outspoken opponent against using caps in car audio almost since being the first person to use one in car audio. If you dont already know RC's views on the subject of caps, you simply aren't very well versed in the subject. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

I looked to see who bumped an old thread, expecting this to be 2+ years old. To my surprise, its a current thread. lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif
Seriously guys, RC has been the most outspoken opponent against using caps in car audio almost since being the first person to use one in car audio. If you dont already know RC's views on the subject of caps, you simply aren't very well versed in the subject. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

not that everyone cares about what he thinks. Ya gotta remember that. A vast majority of consumers arent very informed about what works and why it works. They just buy, blow, and repeat.

 

[thch 10+ year member]

i don't really like sections 3,4,5. a bit misleading, especially if applied to a more general case.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Seriously guys, RC has been the most outspoken opponent against using caps in car audio almost since being the first person to use one in car audio. If you dont already know RC's views on the subject of caps, you simply aren't very well versed in the subject. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

....................

Testing the System

The music content most to benefit by the installation of the stiffening capacitor is strong transient sounds such as drums or plucked strings. At high levels the transient accuracy and overall definition of the sound system has been demonstrated to be greatly improved.

Our tests have shown that if all batteries are up front in the engine compartment where they are safe, warm and able to charge under ideal conditions, then a rear installed capacitor, or capacitor bank, will eliminate the negative effects of having the amplifiers mounted a great distance from the energy source.

http://www.monstercable.com/mpc/stable/tech/A2414_Peak_Performance.pdf

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[hoss 5,000+ posts]

rc doesnt know anything...

you need caps for when the lows hiiiiiiiitttttt.

 

[hoss 5,000+ posts]

ownage by squeak.

buuuut, i think what audioholic meant was that he has been advocating not using them in order to try to bandage a weak/injured charging system //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif . it sounds like mr clark likes to use them to overcome parasitic drain from long runs of wire, not so much for helping when you hit the lows (which is when you really need one)

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

....................


http://www.monstercable.com/mpc/stable/tech/A2414_Peak_Performance.pdf

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

LOL squeak, dont try to decipher RC's thought process too far. Its a maze, I assure you. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif For example, you found him stating caps are a benefit to a 12v system, on monstercable's website, coptwrite 2000. But then, in Jan of the same year he said whats now a rather famous (or infamous) statement...
"Quote:

Originally posted by damacman:

Mr. Clark - sorry, I've been out of the car audio scene for some time now. When I was involved in the early 90s, it seemed as if you were a huge proponent of capacitors. Apparently, I've missed lots in this regard over the last 10 years. Anyhow, I'd be interested in your experience with this newer technology in capacitors. Why so eager to dismiss it as bunk?

 

guys---------the physics of how caps work and how they could be beneficial hasn't changed--------what has changed is that 10 years ago caps were simple two terminal devices designed by electrical engineers for certain well understood specifications-------today "car audio" caps are complex, eye pleasing devices designed by "markineers"---------looks before function--------an example--------last week i recieved several caps from a large accesory company interested in marketing a "new" cap----------along with their prototype they sent a few of their competitors products so i could compare them--------sort of what we call benchmarking---------two of the caps were a couple of the "hybrid" type-------the packaging claims a combination of electrolitic and carbon type for the ultimate conbination-------these things had chrome cases similar to amplifiers, had colored plexi and built in distro blocks, real pieces of art!!!!----------NOW-------for those of you that understand the basics you should know that no matter how big a cap is if it is gonna help a system in any way it must have low impedance--------impedance of a cap is no different than a speaker-------- the impedance number is the lumped values of ESR and ESL---------anyone that doesn't understand this should find my long multipage cap thread of 4 years ago and study it--------ten years ago i set a couple "standards" that have been thrown around ever since------the first was "a farad per killowat" and the other was " a caps impedance (combination of esl/esr) should be less than a milliohm"-------if you have ever heard either of these statements they came from me first back in 1989----------now for 2004-------- of the 5 caps i tested only 2 would stand a chance to benefit a system-------the impedance of the 3 electrolitics (all 1 Farad) ranged from .0007 to .002---------and of the super "hybrid" units the 10 farad measured .004 and the superduper 35 farad measured .02--------later i will have Brian post the actual measurements and later i will explain how the relatively simple test works----------really i can't understand how an entire industry can be so duped into buying what is probably millions of dollars of blue sky--------it would seem that there would be at least one honest magazine that could place technical excellence over ad dollars but i guess not-----------i know the marketing guys hate me when i call BS on their nonsense so i'm willing to make a offer----------ANYBODY come show me how one of these pieces of junk can actually help the power demands of a 12v system and i promise to go to IRAQ and stand in the center of Baghdad and curse Allah..............RC"

Now you tell me, is he for, or against caps? If you ask him, he'll respond with a long winded (but probably true) response that leaves you more confused about the topic than when you started, let alone know exactly where he stands. So far as I know, his stance is caps could be good, if anyone actually made one with a low enough ESR/ESL. IM betting he'd like a lack of chrome on the unit as well. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Beerdrnkr 5,000+ posts]

I'm not sure how many people have read the stereo cookbook second edition but it has some really good reads in there and the take on capacitors is basically use the shortest runs possible with the correct size wiring and soldering crimped connectors to reduce resistance. If your headlights still dim afterwards use 1 farad per kilowatt of amp power, choose a cap with a working voltage rating of 20volts, and a good high temperature rating....Just an fyi.

 

[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

I may just be the kinda guy that will overkill and use a 400w rms amp and 0awg wire running to it, for a pair of 6.5" coaxials... but I always used 2 Farads for every kw of power. Im not saying its necessary, but hey, it worked well for me.