Will cap help current stroke at the alternator??

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

Hello,

I have headlight dimming when the bass hits.... stock 100A alternator... not going with the gel cell battery as I get regular batteries for free (brand new)

Havent done the Big 3 yet. But plan on it.

Ampmeter on the alternator shows a big current stroke (5-10 amps) at the alternator whenever the bass hits.... not good for the alternator....

Will a cap help me? Like 3 to 5 farads?

Or do you recommend the big 3 first and maybe it'll help me?

All I care about is eliminating the current stroke at the alternator.

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[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

second battery and big three...2nd batt should absorb those drains

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

try big 3 (0/1g) and a bigger or second batt

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

I don't have the room or resources for a 2nd battery.... and the isolator.... too much work

Trying to avoid a second battery....

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

what equipment you got? caps wont really help, it's been proven (flamers go away). you might have to get either a bigger alt, bigger (or second) battery, or keep buying alternators

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

then quit asking us how to fix your problems. NO...a cap is not going to help a seriously failing electrical system

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

if you just wanted to hear "yes get a 40farad cap and all worries will be gone..." you came to the wrong place...

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

then quit asking us how to fix your problems. NO...a cap is not going to help a seriously failing electrical system

It's not failing at all.... Been running this system for almost 3 years now....

At idle my battery is at 14V

But the amperage it draws when the bass hits is prevalent

I just want to protect my alternator for the future.... it's minor light dimming....

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

caps are useless. end of discussion

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

caps wont really help, it's been proven (flamers go away).

Thanks for the heads up. Everyone on here is capacitor hater.... but they are also JL haters so I am reluctant to believe these bandwagoneers!

Some people say capacitor helps...

Others swear it is useless bling...

I think it might help my very minor dimming issues.... All advice is appreciated

Thanks guys

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

the way a capacitor works is it leads with voltage but lags with current ( i think this is true its been 3 years since my digital electronics classes ) effectively starving the amp for the blood it needs ( current ) tis the technical reason why caps dont work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

caps are useless. end of discussion

Care to explain?

EDIT: you did. Thanks.

I think i'll go with Big 3 first.....

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

usually a question like this gets hardcore flame-age... just trying to save the battle.

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

yea, dont quote me on that exact wording but the essesnse of what i said is true. Its been far to long of not using that stuff to remember exactly. Me and my digital electronics professor discussed it at length over a semester

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

It's not failing at all.... Been running this system for almost 3 years now....
At idle my battery is at 14V

But the amperage it draws when the bass hits is prevalent

I just want to protect my alternator for the future.... it's minor light dimming....

oh well that changes everything...................................oh wait, no it doesn't. If you are getting light dimming then your electrical system is failing to meet the demands you have put on it.

/end of story