I was just wondering, at what point would I need to invest in a capacitor, and how easy are they to install? I've heard you only really need one if you are running to amps - which is what I'm thinking of doing very soon. Also, what sort of things would I want to be looking out for in terms of the capacitors specifications?

Cheers,
Brendan.

You never need one... They are car audio jewellery... Save your money and invest it where it counts. Primarily front speakers and headunit.

If you find you are having power problems. Then your best bet is upgrading wires. 2 gauge or 0 gauge. And worst case upgrading battery to heavy duty optima / odyssey / orbital / stinger etc.

Capacitors dont do jack. :) I know SPL guys who run thousands of watts with no cap. But the do look very bling...


Welcome to the forums...

Peace

Tim

:stoopid:

Sounds good to me - it'll save me a fair amount if all I need to do it spend a couple more dollars on an amp for the front speakers. At the moment, I've got the one 4ch amp powering the rears with 2ch bridged to the sub, so it's gonna be nice to have alot more power up front!
Thanks alot guys.

Cheers,
Brendan.

Welcome

Nice ride man!

Cap+ Noob= Fire..

Caps are not Necessary..
You need to Upgrade your Altenator and Battery before you even think of getting a Cap..
The Only time you would need to upgrade to a caps is

1.You already have a Duel Battery Setup
2. You want to stick something in Your Boot that looks Pretty and is a Major fire Hazard if it should Accidently Short
3. You have money to waste because all the rest of your system is Top Notch..

Why does everyone think capacitors cause fires so easily? I've never had even the slightest problem with mine, and I haven't even heard of someones capacitor causing a fire.

Why does everyone think capacitors cause fires so easily? I've never had even the slightest problem with mine, and I haven't even heard of someones capacitor causing a fire.

:stoopid:

Why bother replying if you're not actually going to answer the question?

He's agreeing with you mate, relax

My mates got a Lancer, with a similar sound set-up to mine; the difference at the moment being he has a capacitor (well... And my speakers, sub and headunit are better too :D). He's always told me "If you decide to get a second amp, you've gotta make sure you get a capacitor, otherwise at night your headlights are gonna dim", so I got it into my head that this must be the truth and was getting myself ready for the big price hit that would come with me getting my second amp. If I dont notice any real difference in terms of getting dimming headlights etc. it'll be good fun bragging to him about my better price-to-power ratio hehehe.

Why bother replying if you're not actually going to answer the question?
Fine I will answer

Not All Caps are a Hazard.. If Installed Correctly they are fine but in the Hands of a Car Audio Noob they are a hazard..

A Capacitor Stores Energy, it is Drained with Huge Bass Hits and Supplies instant power BUT all it takes is a loose Screw driver or Even a Paper clip to Short across the Terminals and ZAP a Bleeping huge discharge occurs.... In most cases it will just Blow a fuse but if you use your boot like others Do to carry other things like Mower Fuel or Aerosol cans from shopping it can be much worse..
The Shorted Spark may ignite Boot fibres or Dust and your Pride and Joy is BBQ'd..

This is the main reason why we are agaisnt Caps, in the wrong hands they are an accident just waiting to happen..

when i done my amps (crossfire) the tech told me to put the cap on the speaker amp and not the sub amp ... which is how it's setup in my car

This is the main reason why we are agaisnt Caps, in the wrong hands they are an accident just waiting to happen..

A car in the wrong hands is an accident just waiting to happen. We must all be against cars! :P Kidding aside, thanks for answering my question. Much appreciated :)

when i done my amps (crossfire) the tech told me to put the cap on the speaker amp and not the sub amp ... which is how it's setup in my car


I am not sure your cap would be doing very much on the speaker line as Generally it is Low Bass Tones that require Applification power, not the Mid to high??
I could be wrong... I can admit that

:stoopid:

The lower frequency sounds require alot more energy to produce, hence, the majority of people place caps on the sub power in line

well..
i am a car audio noob.....
i have 2 10" pioneer 800W.. each in a 1cf sealed enclosure...
running off a 1200 watt 4 ch.. bridged to 600w X 2 Ch :)
and the only time my audio dims the lights.. is when there is a seriously heavy BASS hit on high volume... and thats ever so slight dimming....
so unless you are running a major competition system( ie ur system is trying to draw 100-150+ amps) .....don't waste ur time with a Cap..
so i hope this helps...
someone correct me if i am wrong please....

oh and yes.. cap would really only be used inline with your Sub.. not your mid and high range.

lol just for a experement get a old camera with a built in flash that works... pull the case apart and look for the cap norm a black one with white stripe 330v on the side

turn camera on and charge the cap thats the ring noise you hear winding up

instead of pressing the button put some sunnys on ya face and short the 2 terminals with a screw driver


:cool: :shock: :P

dont touch with fingers 330volts

lol just for a experement get a old camera with a built in flash that works... pull the case apart and look for the cap norm a black one with white stripe 330v on the side

turn camera on and charge the cap thats the ring noise you hear winding up

instead of pressing the button put some sunnys on ya face and short the 2 terminals with a screw driver

dont touch with fingers 330volts


LOL magnus... u have clearly done this at least once :)
:thumbsup:

capacitors are not useless. they are needed if your headlights dim when a big bass sound is produced. they cause absolutely no fire risk at all and are as safe as having your amp wired up. they store power slowly from the battery and then when the big bass hits, shoot the power into your amp so it doesnt suck from your battery. if your headlights dim, get one, otherwise your just wasting money. they are alot cheaper than a new alternator and heavy duty battery.

I might give it a shot Magnus. Thanks for finding something for me to do tomorrow :D

use a old screw driver too:P

capacitors are not useless. they are needed if your headlights dim when a big bass sound is produced. they cause absolutely no fire risk at all and are as safe as having your amp wired up. they store power slowly from the battery and then when the big bass hits, shoot the power into your amp so it doesnt suck from your battery. if your headlights dim, get one, otherwise your just wasting money. they are alot cheaper than a new alternator and heavy duty battery.

Cheaper but not as effective. The alternator should be sooner to address than a capacitor if there are instantaneous power supply issues.

as you will notice with my little experement the cap takes time to charge and in a split second the charge is gorn .....as well as the tip of your screw driver

Or the end of your finger...