Why is my system weaker after upgrading?

[NutHugger 10+ year member]

Always remember that voltage always flows from the highest potential to the lowest potential, just like water. Current does not however flow into the alternator even if it is lower than the battery and cap because it has diodes on its output that only let current flow FROM its output. Now whenever any current flows into or out of the cap it must pass thru the ESR of the cap. The resistance is really distributed throughout the cap but it behaves just like it was right on the output terminal as in a series circuit location in the circuit loop does not matter. Now suppose our 20 farad cap is charged to 14.2 volts and we place a load on its output. This load is the same one that we used in lesson 2 to cause 100 amps of current to flow from our unlimited capacity cap. Only now we have our smaller 20 farad cap.
We know that if 100 amps of current flows out of our cap, those 1.7 volts will drop across the ESR of .017 ohm. This will cause the output to drop to 12.5 volts just like it did with the unlimited cap.

I already explained that. It would be relevant in a series circuit. Since the cap is in parallel it cannot drop the voltage of the circuit. You don't know what you're arguing. You're arguing why caps don't help. Not that they hurt. I'm explaining that they cannot hurt. I've supported my claim pretty well. you have just made it more clear that you don't understand the difference.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

It doesn't matter that the cap is wired in parallel. When voltage drops, and current flows through the capacitor, it acts as a resistor in series.

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

It's wired in parallel with the amplifier. This means that you're not adding resistance. The only way to add resistance is in series.

but you're just adding more shit into the way of the current thats what i'm trying to say lol

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

In my opinion, less voltage = hurting system. In many cases, the voltage drop may not be significant, and probably will not have an audible difference. In some cases it might.

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

fml!//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[NutHugger 10+ year member]

It doesn't matter that the cap is wired in parallel. When voltage drops, and current flows through the capacitor, it acts as a resistor in series.

It clearly does matter. Current does not have to flow through it in parallel. That's the point.

 

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

 

but you're just adding more shit into the way of the current thats what i'm trying to say lol

No you're not. Parallel means not in the way. Lol. Nothing has to flow through it. That is what I'm trying to tell you guys. In series current would be forced to flow through it. In parallel it's not thus it can't hurt anything.

 

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------

 

In my opinion, less voltage = hurting system. In many cases, the voltage drop may not be significant, and probably will not have an audible difference. In some cases it might.

Sure, except there isn't less voltage in the circuit the amplifier is connected to. There is only less voltage in series with the capacitor, which nothing is in series with the capacitor at all.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Current flows from high potential to low potential. When voltage drops enough, the current flows through the capacitor. That is the whole point of having the cap in the first place.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Thus, when your 200a alternator (charging at 14.xx), cannot keep up with the 300a load from your amps, and the voltage begins to drop. The cap (which is charged to 14.xx) volts begins supplying the current. The problem is, the cap is only getting charged at whatever voltage your charging system is providing.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

dbl.

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

just do trial and error. but the cap here is not the problem he just need an new enclosure and check his subs to see what he wired them down to.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

Ignore

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

I got quote happy.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

So wait, your batteries drop voltage due to the connection, but a capacitor loses due to heat? Did I read that correctly? That must be why there are massive heatsinks on capacitors. Thanks I always wondered.

No, I said the connections are the point of voltage loss in my vehicle. With a capacitor, you are going to have the same voltage drop due to connections, and yet another tenth or so due to heat because of the repeated charging and dissipating of the capacitor.

It's wired in parallel with the amplifier. This means that you're not adding resistance. The only way to add resistance is in series.

How the hell is a capacitor wired in parallel whilst batteries in the same position would be wired in series?

Think of it this way guys. When you're wiring your voice coils together in parallel the impedence goes down. Because of this your amplifier needs less voltage to make a specific amount of power. When you wire something in series the resistance goes up. Because of this the amplifier must increase the voltage to get that same amount of power out. So since you all already know this, you can apply what you know to this capacitor with voltage and resistance to know you're dead wrong. Capacitors cannot hurt you. They just don't benefit anyone in a 12v circuit.

No sir, the amp doesn't need less voltage to make the same power, it needs less amperage to overcome its resistance. Lower the resistance, lower the current draw.

Sorry about all the one liner quotes

It clearly does matter. Current does not have to flow through it in parallel. That's the point. 

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

 

No you're not. Parallel means not in the way. Lol. Nothing has to flow through it. That is what I'm trying to tell you guys. In series current would be forced to flow through it. In parallel it's not thus it can't hurt anything.

 

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------

 

Sure, except there isn't less voltage in the circuit the amplifier is connected to. There is only less voltage in series with the capacitor, which nothing is in series with the capacitor at all.

Unfortunately, in the real world current will flow through it even parallel. Electricity does not take the path of least resistance, electricity takes all available paths. The most current will go through the least resistant avenue (in this case the circuit that does not include the cap), but the parallel circuit (including the cap) will in fact, see current. This will cause unnecessary loss both due to erroneous current, and resistive heat which will, in fact, hurt the electrical system. Caps always hinder an electrical current. They don't always hurt said system enough to become an issue.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

just do trial and error. but the cap here is not the problem he just need an new enclosure and check his subs to see what he wired them down to.

 

[NutHugger 10+ year member]

Current flows from high potential to low potential. When voltage drops enough, the current flows through the capacitor. That is the whole point of having the cap in the first place.

I already stated this. It is not applicable to your argument. If the voltage of the rest of the circuit is lower than the cap, explain how the cap is hurting anything. it also defeats your argument because if the cap inherently drops voltage at all times it could never be higher than the source.

 

---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:17 PM ----------

 

Thus, when your 200a alternator (charging at 14.xx), cannot keep up with the 300a load from your amps, and the voltage begins to drop. The cap (which is charged to 14.xx) volts begins supplying the current. The problem is, the cap is only getting charged at whatever voltage your charging system is providing.

Which was 14 volts. This means it starts at 14 volts and rapidly loses voltage as it discharges. I OBVIOUSLY understand this. It still does not help your case.