cap.

[bigmike9419]

will adding a cap to my system make that much differance? I have 2 gnx124's and a concept d-cc1200 amp (the amp is 2 channel) it pulls a bit of power and one more question how exactly do you hook up a cap?

~bigmike~

[Kim]

Big "M",
By adding a cap to the system this will help to improve bass definition and detail. It will also help the stabilize the charging system by minimizing any voltage drops when the amplifier is requiring more voltage and current to play at the desired level. A good example of the charging system being stressed is when you are driving at night with the AC, rear defroster, headlights are on and playing the system at higher volume levels and you notice that the lights are dimming with the music.
You may have to charge the cap by applying voltage through a
"bleeder" resistor. This prevents the two plates ( positive and negative which are separated by a insulator or dielectric material ) from being damaged due to an excessive amount of inrush current. The resistor will get warm to even hot. This is normal. It usually takes a few minutes to charge the cap. To confirm that the cap is fully charged, measure the votage from the battery and compare it to the voltage at the terminals on the cap. They should read the same voltage. I would suggest using 8 to 4 gauge wire for the primary supply cable.

Happy Charging!!
Kim

[TrappedUnder Ice]

ON another note...Caps are known in the industry to also be waste of time and money. If you are having dimming or power issues... fixing...not band aiding it is the right course. This means a upgraded alt, correct battery upgrading the big 3 under the hood..

thomas

[sntnsupermen131]

i dont agree...
i have 2 mm120s and a rf bd1000 and i installed a 1farad cap and it stopped the dimming
i think for a system of this size buying a bigger alternator would be a waste of money when u can buy a $100 capacitor

-Cody

[PoweredByDodge]

THOMAS!!!!! out of the auto car stereo chat room and into my polk audio forum... i'll be darned!

well vinnie says hi :o)

regarding caps tho...

everybody is right.. they're a waste of money if you're using them to correct severe power deficiencies.... but they're "a perfect fix" if you just have a tiny tiny eenie weenie bit of dimming or you dont even have dimming but you can tell that at some times your amp isn't getting as much punch current as it needs.

i've always believed this rule.... if you're head lights are dimming with the volume up, and you've got at least an 80 amp alternator... add another battery (or upgrade to a 900 cca batt... if you already ahve one... get another one).. and upgrade your under the hood wiring (wirees from alt to batt / ground) to 0 gauge w/ 150 - 180 amp fuses...

then... once u're dimming is gone... dump 1 farad worth of capacitor for every 500 - 750 watts you're running.

it makes a small but noticeable difference in sound quality due to having ample current ...

[goingganzo]

i had a cap it dident help that much but at a stop light my lights will dim and keep getting dimmer lol i am adding a better batery and i might add a seccond one to dype cycle gell cell for trunk or a back-cap they ar 21 frads and suposto be very good