Caps...Yay Or Nay?
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Originally posted by saggleman
just out of curiosity, how come you have a cap?
just out of curiosity, how come you have a cap?
Originally posted by TBSpyder
Your alternator is the key though.
Your alternator is the key though.
"Lights dimming" when the bass notes hit is a different problem, and is caused by the battery and alternator not keeping up to the transient demands of the system. For this kind of problem, a capacitor will do an excellent job of helping the problem by evening out the system demands. Increasing alternator output has little or no effect on this problem.
One "alternator" upgrade that can help is to improve the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator needs to be able to react to changes in demands on the electrical system, and most of them just aren't fast enough. The battery also has a reaction time, but it's a lot faster than the regulator, and except in extreme cases, can usually keep up. One of the primary reasons why an Optima battery is better for audio systems is that it has a faster reaction time.
It's important to correctly identify the problems that you're having, and provide the correct solution to it. If you really need an upgraded alternator, no size of capacitor will help. And if you really need a stiffening capacitor, no amount of extra alternator capacity will help, although a better voltage regulator and battery might.
I had an upgraded alternator, but now I'm running a stocker again, because it's good enough. If I keep my system cranked up all the time, it will drain the battery, but since I never really do that, the stock alternator is adequate. I have a .5F capacitor because I need it. Even with the upgraded alternator, (and voltage regulator) I still needed the cap.
I'm a firm believer in the correct solution for the problem.
It's a wooden pickle.
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Originally posted by SupraKid
"Lights dimming" when the bass notes hit is a different problem, and is caused by the battery and alternator not keeping up to the transient demands of the system. For this kind of problem, a capacitor will do an excellent job of helping the problem by evening out the system demands. Increasing alternator output has little or no effect on this problem.
"Lights dimming" when the bass notes hit is a different problem, and is caused by the battery and alternator not keeping up to the transient demands of the system. For this kind of problem, a capacitor will do an excellent job of helping the problem by evening out the system demands. Increasing alternator output has little or no effect on this problem.
EDIT: just look at any db drag type competition vehicle. most of those cars have power demands that would cluster fuck your little stock alternator and cap. the vast majority (if not all) run without caps and do just fine.
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Last edited by Miles; Dec 8, 2003 at 12:57 PM.
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Reppin' the 813
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I think im just going to stick with no cap. And sorry MDIFY, i didnt mean to call u a dick, u arent either aaron...or saggleman...who else is left in this forum?
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Originally posted by saggleman
elementary physics disagrees with you. lights dim because of an amp drawing more current than your electrical system can provide at a given moment. if your alternator puts out higher current, then you won't have that problem.
elementary physics disagrees with you. lights dim because of an amp drawing more current than your electrical system can provide at a given moment. if your alternator puts out higher current, then you won't have that problem.
As to Afboy, find out what problem you may have if any with lights dimming, etc.. before you consider going with a cap. If your system is going to be big and you are serious about it, go about it the right way by upgrading the wires as well. Thats something I skimped on at the beginning and it was my own fault.
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You're right SupraKid...a system is only as good as it's weakest link. But from my experience, too small of an alternator is the problem on most econo cars. I would fully agree though that if another area, such as your battery or wiring is also insufficient, then you're going to see little improvement.
When running, though, vehicles draw more current from the alternator than the battery.
When running, though, vehicles draw more current from the alternator than the battery.
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I got a dig bick. You this read wrong. You read that wrong too.
I got a dig bick. You this read wrong. You read that wrong too.
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i was accually looking to upgrade my battery cables to 4 or 0 guage cuz i saw that on another forum. I have two posative wires going to my batt and two neg batt wires and the guys said to jus not do it cuz i could really fux somethin up
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2 positives for what? they go to seperate parts for your system? Just use a dist. block.
You can have 2 grounds off of the battery, that wouldn't hurt. I am actually going to have another ground other than the seperate location under the hood when I upgrade the wires this weekend.
You can have 2 grounds off of the battery, that wouldn't hurt. I am actually going to have another ground other than the seperate location under the hood when I upgrade the wires this weekend.
Last edited by SupraKid; Dec 8, 2003 at 06:07 PM.
