Do i need a Cap?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Do i need a Cap?
The sound system i'm planning involves running 2 alpine MRP F450 amps at 200x2 and a RF T5002 at 500x1
does this setup merit the use of a capacitor or would i do better to save my money?
does this setup merit the use of a capacitor or would i do better to save my money?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 295
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From: Escondido (North San Diego) California
Before doing anything, install your system, leaving room for a capacitor - if needed. If (that's a big 'if') you have problems with dimming or whatnot, then make the other modifications as necessary.
However, I don't think your system will require a capacitor. The 'Vette alternator is pretty capable.
However, I don't think your system will require a capacitor. The 'Vette alternator is pretty capable.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Esparto ca
Caps are cheap. Just because your lights don't dim doesn't mean your amps aren't starving. With that kind of wattage he is going to be pulling around 180 amps. I say take some of the load off the electrical system and cabling. Put some valtage less than a foot away, and know when the bass hits and you have your doors and hood open, the lights on you wont be starving your amp. Just my 2 cents, adown
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
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From: Bay Area CA
I am not running a cap yet, I will be doing the big 3 hopefully in 2 weeks when I am off. I can drop the voltage in the DIC to 12.2 with the lights on and the stereo up and I only have a 5 channel pushing about 530 watts. (normally sits at a low of 13.8 and a high of 14.3) A lot depends I think on what you call loud and the type of music you listen to. I agree with the poster that mentioned get it installed and see how it goes.
Fej
Fej
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Esparto ca
Actually Kale, test tones at full blast would yeild 208 amps. fej proved my piont. For $25. the voltage a 1 or 2 farad cap can supply is only going to help. I cant believe more people here dont run them. Especially with the big amps and multi subs. If your running 500 + watts you should run a cap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
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From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I am sorry but with an adequate charging system there is no reason you should need a cap for 500watts. Recently did a C5 had dimming, upgrade the big3 and no dimming at all (had the highbeams, ac on, and rear defroster and while playing heavy bass we got it to fluctuate .1 volts after it was pounding for a few seconds) and its pulling 800wrms
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Esparto ca
of course they discharge quick and then need to be charged. They aren't batteries. They are ONLY to suppliment voltage surges. I dont disagree with doing the big 3.
Last edited by adown; Sep 28, 2006 at 09:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Originally Posted by k-mart
Caps are a waste of money unless we're talking 20 farad caps or a batcap. They discharge so quickly that they end up being just another thing for your electrical system to charge.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: sacramento ca
i would have to add my 2 cents and state that most caps, 1 farad, 2 farads, are bandages on a cut that needs---i guess the other available simile would be stitching. the caps do clean the sound up a bit but in the overall scheme of things, its not going to cure the headlight dim etc.
unless you want to get a batcap or 10 plus farad capacitor (which aren't cheap. heres a tip, when you install your system and run it for while, touch the power wires, they should not be hot, maybe warm and cold is great. if they are running hot, you need a bigger guage of wire. feed your amps the biggest wires they can take and they'll run better; you might not hear it but they will. its like giving a person bigger lungs from which to breath with.
for what your running, you should not need caps, the corvette stock system is a lot better than most cars.
i have no dimming and im putting down 750wrms to my sub and 160 watts to my hi's. all i have is a yellow top optima; im putting down mid 145's with my 1 12''. For the 50 bucks and various other dollars you would spend on new strands of wires and 0 rings to put in the cap, save it and apply it towards a 200 300 amp alternator one day
unless you want to get a batcap or 10 plus farad capacitor (which aren't cheap. heres a tip, when you install your system and run it for while, touch the power wires, they should not be hot, maybe warm and cold is great. if they are running hot, you need a bigger guage of wire. feed your amps the biggest wires they can take and they'll run better; you might not hear it but they will. its like giving a person bigger lungs from which to breath with.
for what your running, you should not need caps, the corvette stock system is a lot better than most cars.
i have no dimming and im putting down 750wrms to my sub and 160 watts to my hi's. all i have is a yellow top optima; im putting down mid 145's with my 1 12''. For the 50 bucks and various other dollars you would spend on new strands of wires and 0 rings to put in the cap, save it and apply it towards a 200 300 amp alternator one day
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
Originally Posted by k-mart
Caps are a waste of money unless we're talking 20 farad caps or a batcap. They discharge so quickly that they end up being just another thing for your electrical system to charge.
You don't seem to understand the purpose of a stiffening capacitor. They are MEANT to be discharged and charged quickly to smooth out voltage spikes and can be very useful if you use them for the right purpose. Some audio systems place such a strain on your electrical system already that the cap won't help much, if any. However, for a system like the original poster has, where the total power draw isn't too much, a cap can smooth out the quick voltage spikes when bass notes hit and reduce headlight dimming.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Escondido (North San Diego) California
Hmm...This morning, I wanted to see if, when pounding Eminem's '*** like that' (it's my bass test track!) to the point my hair was moving...I got no headlight dimming. I have yet to do the Big 3, don't have a cap, and my voltage wasn't fluctuating any more than 1/2 volt on the downbeat.
Then I turned off the radio and pressed 'up' on my power windows (which were already up) and my headlights dimmed.
What's up with that? Maybe I need a cap for my windows.
To the OP...install your rig, then see what, if anything, you need.
I'm running 2 Avionixx 800.2's (2x200 and 1x800 rms with 2x400 and x1600 peaks)...for reference. (thanks for the heads up, pentavolvo...these amps are killer.)
Then I turned off the radio and pressed 'up' on my power windows (which were already up) and my headlights dimmed.
What's up with that? Maybe I need a cap for my windows.
To the OP...install your rig, then see what, if anything, you need.
I'm running 2 Avionixx 800.2's (2x200 and 1x800 rms with 2x400 and x1600 peaks)...for reference. (thanks for the heads up, pentavolvo...these amps are killer.)