power cap

[coolguydudeman]

hey, just wondering what these power caps do? (looks like a spray can which you connect wires into incase i have the wrong name for em)

[Scott]

thats a very good question what exactly do they do, nothing is the answer they dont work if anything they can place more strain on the charging system

[coolguydudeman]

wot is there purpose then lol?

[Scott]

they look nice? smileys/smiley5.gif

[KAMENi]

scott, what do you think of stronger caps, like 5F or 12F?


i think they can actually help.

i'm thinking of buying me a 5F one (you know the story about the power supply of my amplifier, only because of that)
the story is that from 11 to 16V, the amp provides same power, 4x105W rms

[Graeme]

i thougth they reduced the strain on the battery?! and stop the lights flashing if the battery gets drained smileys/smiley5.gif !!

[KAMENi]

basically that's all they do.
people install it to improve ice performance, but it only puts weight on the battery with another thing to supply.

dry-cell battery and good installations are the way to go.

these STEG amplifiers (that i have) use a power supply that gives same amount of power whether the battery is full or empty (like 11-16V). 16V cant even be reached with normal alternator and battery, so if i should put a cap on my system, i think it would really help

[Scott]

i wouldnt for same cost you could be running a split charge and battery. Even a massive cap will drain a little and start to take charge out the system to replenish itself.

[krystal_ice]

spot on mate. A bigger alternator and battery is the best idea if your lights are flashing. Aslo Replace the factory ground wire between the battery and the car chassis with at least a 4-gauge cable. This will help minimize voltage drops caused by high resistance in the stock cable.

Also replace the stock charging wire between the battery and the alternator with at least a 4-gauge cable.

If the alternator has a chassis ground cable, upgrade that wire too.This is relatively inexpensive and should be done for every system 500 watts or higher in total amplifier power.

[Hotlad00]

ACTUALLY they provide a more constant power supply when using very high powered amps and deep bass subs, when ur bass drops to a serious low note, most batterys cant handle the strain of such power being drained from them, but the power cap can (if its decent) and stops it distorting.

[Scott]

yes for that split second after that it all goes downhill as it places more strain on the charging system as explained above.

[Hotlad00]

yeah suppose ur right in that respect, they look good though lol!

[Scott]

thats true they do look cool as especially some of the stinger ones smileys/drool.gif

[jimmy16v]

yeah they look mint but thats what i thought they did, store a bit of power so when a big bass line kicks in it doesnt drain all the power from the battery, lights etc? but i do understand what your sayin

[reevesy_vtr]

The advantage with a capacitor is that it discharges in one twenty thousandth of a second, unlike a battery that does in one second. The battery therefore cannot discharge fast enough to effectively supply the amplifier and this is the reason for "power sags."
smileys/smiley16.gif

[nixy9]

ooo you can tell he works with this stuff cant ya he does know his stuff! he he

[reevesy_vtr]

smileys/smiley9.gif

[Scott]

but do you agree it then places more strain on the charging system therefore pretty much rendering it useless

[reevesy_vtr]

no as once a power cap is charged it stays charged it does'nt totally drane and recharge every time the amp drews power from the battery. A power cap keeps a steady voltage flow to the amp. A power cap is only really needed on a sub amp as a 4 channel amp (running comps 6x9s(sorry scott smileys/smiley2.gif)tweeters ect) wont drew any where as much power as a sub amp.

EG. the other day i fitted a system in to an e46 and it keeped blowing fuses as the sub amp was trying to drew to much power from the battery so we put a power cap in and it stoped. B 4 the amp was trying to drew to much current so a adding a power cap gave it the right amount of current there for I Think a power cap does work. But each to there own.

[Scott]

pah im sticking with my theorysmileys/smiley17.gif

[KAMENi]

i admit, it makes sence what you said, reevesy.
what do you say scott?

here's one thing noone can deny:

http://www.crocaraudio.com/galerie/bilder/bild-400.jpg

http://www.crocaraudio.com/galerie/bilder/bild-401.jpg

http://www.crocaraudio.com/galerie/bilder/bild-402.jpg

[Scott]

yup thats good evidence i still wont be buying one, i still think the money would be far better spent on battery and split charger

[reevesy_vtr]

The track that was used on the tests is by Yellow and it is called the race get a copy you will know it when you here it. it is the track that i us and must people that i know us to set up most installs as it covers every scale and you can here if you missing any thing. Just thought i would let know smileys/smiley4.gif .
and Im going to get a 50 farad cap smileys/smiley3.gif

[Scott]

i dont even want to ask how much, but i willsmileys/smiley4.gif how much smileys/smiley3.gif

[reevesy_vtr]

CLICKY (http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/3766.html)
That is what they sell it for but i will speak to directed in the morning and see if they will do me a deal. smileys/smiley2.gif
And i got that thing out of work so i will send it to you soon smileys/smiley9.gif

[Scott]

christ thats not to bad i thought it would be a good bit more than that, nicely done with discountsmileys/smiley4.gif

Awesome just let me know what i owe you and beersmileys/smiley14.gif