I.C.E. (Audio) & Electrical Upgrades Post all your I.C.E. (In Car Entertainment) and wiring questions here (Audio, video etc.)

Do I need to add a cap to my system?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2006
  #1  
DeX's Avatar
DeX
Thread Starter
Canadian, Eh!
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
Rep Power: 277
DeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to all
Do I need to add a cap to my system?

I don't want to kill my stock battery and alternator, should I add a capacitor?

I have a Rockford Fosgate P325.1 amplifier running my subwoofer at 400 watts RMS. I also have a MTX 4244 Thunder amplifier running my speakers at 180 watts RMS. And I then have a computer in my car with a 90 watt PSU, so altogether that's 670 watts altogether on my car, is that too much? I've got 4 gauge wiring running from the battery to the distribution block and then 8 gauge from the block to the amps. And I've got 10 gauge wiring running from the battery to the computer. I'm being told no, I don't need a cap, but is there anyone with uber knowledge that can tell me for sure?

I'm running everything but the amp/sub right now, I have to install it.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2006
  #2  
gearbox's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 811
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
you never need to add one. and guess where the cap gets its power from? the alternator! lol. all it does is reduce dimming. has no bearing on electrical performance otherwise, well maybe it robs a bit more power.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2006
  #3  
DeX's Avatar
DeX
Thread Starter
Canadian, Eh!
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
Rep Power: 277
DeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to all
Doesn't it reduce stress on the battery and alternator though? I heard you can kill those components by running a high system on them.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2006
  #4  
gearbox's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 811
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
its gonna kill it anyway. the cap won't help that one bit. the real problem is the weak alternator. the solution is to upgrade to a hi output version. adding a cap will make you think everything is okay (less dimming), but in reality you still have a small alternator and crap battery with way too much power draw from the amps. all the while the cap will also be drawing power to charge itself after being used up constantly.
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006
  #5  
DeX's Avatar
DeX
Thread Starter
Canadian, Eh!
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
Rep Power: 277
DeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to allDeX is a name known to all
How much to replace those? Can I just replace the wiring between the two with lower gauge?
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006
  #6  
EastBayStuntN's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: CA
Rep Power: 0
EastBayStuntN is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally Posted by DeX
Can I just replace the wiring between the two with lower gauge?

yes you can but heres something that will benefit you as well: we call it the "big-3". http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/u...=5;t=007801;p=
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006
  #7  
gearbox's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 811
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
there was/is a post about selling custom hi output alternator on this site. i think megahurtz would know more about it.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006
  #8  
john06w's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
john06w is an unknown quantity at this point
They say to add 1 Farad for every 1000 watts. Honestly the only thing it does is reduce the instant pull that the amplifier draws from the battery.
I bought one because it was used by a friend, $20. So, it was worth it.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2006
  #9  
02BLKCIVIC's Avatar
Official Rattlesnake Hunter
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 0
From: Valley Of The Sun...
Rep Power: 313
02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of02BLKCIVIC has much to be proud of
my .2 cents! http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=273054
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
cukaracha
6th Generation Civic 1996 - 2000
30
Jul 26, 2015 12:01 PM
jzhartman
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
22
Jul 23, 2015 10:42 PM
Hqly2001
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
22
Jul 12, 2015 06:44 PM
CivicsClass101
1st - 5th Generation Civic 1973 - 1995
0
Jul 9, 2015 11:14 AM
Bounddyy
6th Generation Civic 1996 - 2000
3
Jul 8, 2015 11:22 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:33 PM.