Help choosing a Capacitor
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
Help choosing a Capacitor
I'm designing the system for my C6 and I'm looking for a capacitor
in the 1.5-2 farad range. I made the mistake of just buying some random one off ebay for my last system.
The charging system will have:
1) Big-3 upgrade with Knukonceptz KOL4 wire
2) Ohio Generator 200-250 amp High Output alternator
3) Optima Yellow top
The reason for the cap here is to stabilize voltage since the deep cycle battery takes so long to discharge power when needed.
Anyone recommend a good brand/model of cap?
in the 1.5-2 farad range. I made the mistake of just buying some random one off ebay for my last system.
The charging system will have:
1) Big-3 upgrade with Knukonceptz KOL4 wire
2) Ohio Generator 200-250 amp High Output alternator
3) Optima Yellow top
The reason for the cap here is to stabilize voltage since the deep cycle battery takes so long to discharge power when needed.
Anyone recommend a good brand/model of cap?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 5
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
I'm designing the system for my C6 and I'm looking for a capacitor
in the 1.5-2 farad range. I made the mistake of just buying some random one off ebay for my last system.
The charging system will have:
1) Big-3 upgrade with Knukonceptz KOL4 wire
2) Ohio Generator 200-250 amp High Output alternator
3) Optima Yellow top
The reason for the cap here is to stabilize voltage since the deep cycle battery takes so long to discharge power when needed.
Anyone recommend a good brand/model of cap?
in the 1.5-2 farad range. I made the mistake of just buying some random one off ebay for my last system.
The charging system will have:
1) Big-3 upgrade with Knukonceptz KOL4 wire
2) Ohio Generator 200-250 amp High Output alternator
3) Optima Yellow top
The reason for the cap here is to stabilize voltage since the deep cycle battery takes so long to discharge power when needed.
Anyone recommend a good brand/model of cap?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 500
From: Hilton NY
If you use six of the PCA P0350 P270 T11 D cells in series you will have at least 50 farads at 16.2 volts in a small area.http://www.tecategroup.com/ultracapa...FeVx5QodM39c0g
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
I think it has been shown that .5-2 farads is almost worthless. Pretty sure you have to go 5 or more to really see any sort of benefit.
That being said, I have run and installed 1500w RMS systems without them and never even had the lights dim. Proper gauge wire and good grounds are your friend.
G'luck brotha
Fej
That being said, I have run and installed 1500w RMS systems without them and never even had the lights dim. Proper gauge wire and good grounds are your friend.
G'luck brotha
Fej
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Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
The yellow top battery discharges slower than traditional starting batteries which means large amounts of power would not be available on instantaneous demand. The capacitor's fast discharge rate supplements the power requirements of the sound system when needed using the rather steady supply of power from the battery to recharge.
Think of how a "super soaker" works. Without a cap, you're pumping and holding down the trigger. If you charge the gun first and then pull the trigger, you get a LOT more power and range, but then have to recharge after.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: california
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, the Optima battery is NO better than your AC Delco factory. Which surprisingly is good for an OEM product. I understand what your trying to do and I have a better solution for you.
Rather than try to retain your single battery configuration, try this: http://www.hellroaring.com/marine.php
This will help the DRAW your talking about. Capaitors STORE power ONLY. Think of it as a tank being filled with water. As long as your pump (alternator) keeps pumping (charging) then the tank will always stay full. The bigger the tank (capacitor) the more water there is to supply your power output.
No matter what, the tank (capacitor) will empty when there is no more flow. Now adding a seperate battery (MUCH bigger tank) will solve your problem. Adding the isolater/combiner is the BEST way to go. To see what I'm talking about read the website info in the link. Also, check your local area for sound competitions and you will see the top audio installs DON'T have capacitors.
I hope this wasn't TOO much info at one time. Best of luck with your install.
Rather than try to retain your single battery configuration, try this: http://www.hellroaring.com/marine.php
This will help the DRAW your talking about. Capaitors STORE power ONLY. Think of it as a tank being filled with water. As long as your pump (alternator) keeps pumping (charging) then the tank will always stay full. The bigger the tank (capacitor) the more water there is to supply your power output.
No matter what, the tank (capacitor) will empty when there is no more flow. Now adding a seperate battery (MUCH bigger tank) will solve your problem. Adding the isolater/combiner is the BEST way to go. To see what I'm talking about read the website info in the link. Also, check your local area for sound competitions and you will see the top audio installs DON'T have capacitors.
I hope this wasn't TOO much info at one time. Best of luck with your install.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: california
capacitor
Yes, This would apply also to the Optima. But really, there would be no need for the extra expense in my opinion for such an expensive battery
Check this site out :http://www.simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/
Bing the owner does every type of car imaginable. Just check out his site; especially the Corvettes. His systems are a liitle over the top for me but, they are amazing installs. Also, Ask him for his direct links to the http://www.diymobileaudio.com/ website he regularly posts his complete installs. You willl see that NONE of his installs even need a secondary battery or even capacitors. Its all in proper wiring and matching quality components that work well together.
Check this site out :http://www.simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/
Bing the owner does every type of car imaginable. Just check out his site; especially the Corvettes. His systems are a liitle over the top for me but, they are amazing installs. Also, Ask him for his direct links to the http://www.diymobileaudio.com/ website he regularly posts his complete installs. You willl see that NONE of his installs even need a secondary battery or even capacitors. Its all in proper wiring and matching quality components that work well together.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
I think I'm going to go with an Orion 5-farad hybrid cap. It not only has multiple inputs/outputs (eliminating the need for external distribution blocks) but also a cool volt meter)
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: california
capacitor?
ALL of the systems I showed you in the http://www.simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ are ALL daily drivers. Only a few built for competition.
But if your insistant on going this route, I wish you the best
.
And if you don't mind could you post pics of your install on the DIYMA website? There are very few of us corvette owners showing pics of our audio projects.
But if your insistant on going this route, I wish you the best
.And if you don't mind could you post pics of your install on the DIYMA website? There are very few of us corvette owners showing pics of our audio projects.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
ALL of the systems I showed you in the http://www.simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ are ALL daily drivers. Only a few built for competition.
But if your insistant on going this route, I wish you the best.
And if you don't mind could you post pics of your install on the DIYMA website? There are very few of us corvette owners showing pics of our audio projects.
But if your insistant on going this route, I wish you the best
.And if you don't mind could you post pics of your install on the DIYMA website? There are very few of us corvette owners showing pics of our audio projects.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: chicago illinois
Hey Radio, glad you got your c6. Do you plan on doing the same amount of electrical goodness you did on the last car? Personally I have opted never to pay a premium for a yellow top again because it only lasted 2 years before it died. This was in a different vehicle, but I ran a jl 1000/1 and jl 4/500 with a 3 farad cap and it still ran out of power and shut down with 0 gauge wiring so i understand your concern. In the vette I am only running a pdx 2.150 and pdx 1.600 without a cap, on a yellow duralast which has outlasted my yellow top optima
Thats why i ask how much power you plan on running.
Thats why i ask how much power you plan on running.
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
Well, I ended up selling the C6. It just wasn't in the cards and i wasn't happy with how much of my budget it took to keep it. I've since purchased an 02 which will allow me to use much of my original system (fiberglass 2-way speaker panels in the doors etc).
I plan to be running a JL500/1 for the sub and two Alpine MRP F300 amps for the full range.
I plan to do the entire car right the first time instead of endless upgrading. The head unit and capacitor will be the only new hardware. I will be re-building the amp rack to simulate the look of ABS instead of carpet and will have a double DIN head unit instead of the flip out screen.
I plan to be running a JL500/1 for the sub and two Alpine MRP F300 amps for the full range.
I plan to do the entire car right the first time instead of endless upgrading. The head unit and capacitor will be the only new hardware. I will be re-building the amp rack to simulate the look of ABS instead of carpet and will have a double DIN head unit instead of the flip out screen.
