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Old 06-20-2008, 05:30 PM   #1
hellsatan
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What Cap

I know a lot of you say I DONT NEED A CAP THEY ARE BAND AIDS! but still when my bass hits hard my lights flicker (Just when its REALLY loud) so I was thinking about getting a cap. I got a bigger high output alt and deep cycle yellow top battery.
I am not sure if my Alt installer upgraded the wires alt to battery? and I have not done the upgraded ground to chassis.. not sure how to. I am using 4 gauge wire for my install.

I have a JL 1000/1 amp (1000 watts) with two 12WV6 (400rms) Subs
I have just bought a JL 300/4 amp for my speakers and just wondering what kind of cap I would need if I do end up buying one?

I think I would only need one for the subs and not the speaker amp. Not too sure. Don't really understand the whole Farad 6,8 what it all means and such.
Thanks in advance

Last edited by hellsatan : 06-20-2008 at 06:32 PM.
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Old 06-21-2008, 03:44 PM   #2
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Re: What Cap

before you waste a dime on a capacitor .....take that money and buy 0 gauge wire and do the BIG 3 .....if your not sure do a search on big 3 in this forum
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Old 06-21-2008, 05:25 PM   #3
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Re: What Cap

usually they recommended 1F for every 1000 wats RMS i was having an issue with the same thing and a cap did seem to work really well it dose not make the system louder by any means but what it did do for me was help with the lights dimming and kept me from going through alternators.

I found my 1F cap on ebay for around $30. if you go with a digital one theres really no advantage other than you can watch the cars voltage somewhere else
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Old 06-21-2008, 05:48 PM   #4
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Re: What Cap

A waste & a band aid???? I've not heard that...

Unless I'm misinformed, the reason that a cap is used, is because it can supply quick bursts of power... faster than a battery can. (in terms of speed / draw)... a reservoir of sorts... Thus enabling your amp so do a better job and prevents disco headlights...

1 Farad for every 1000 watt's of system power...

Be sure to charge it correctly, light bulb or resistor, or it will try to charge so fast it will melt a cable and possibly damage you...

Rafael
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Old 06-21-2008, 10:00 PM   #5
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Re: What Cap

hey i just rembered this web sight if you have any questions this is a really good reference. http://www.bcae1.com/
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Old 06-21-2008, 11:10 PM   #6
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Re: What Cap

Where would I buy the items for the Big 3? I have checked my car today and noticed a few wires going into the one big positive and negative and wondering if there is someone that makes 0 or 4 gauge wired for both or some kind of kit I could buy off ebay maybe? Make it simple for a moron like myself Nice premade bolt on wiring would be real nice

I'm from Canada BC so would Lordco or Napa or any of the stores have anything like this? or would I have to go to a audio store if I don't have a clue how to do it.

Last edited by hellsatan : 06-21-2008 at 11:53 PM.
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Old 06-25-2008, 04:34 AM   #7
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Re: What Cap

this wouldn't be quite the ideal situation.... ive never tried it but i have some friends that use Welding cable and it seemed to work pretty well for them its around 4 gage size and is stranded so should be legal to put into your car(is in most of the us). they were also able to buy it for like 60 cents a foot i think
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Old 06-25-2008, 06:17 AM   #8
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Re: What Cap

Welding cable is thick (the strands used)
Car Audio / Power cable has many small strands...
That's what makes it efficient and work better than welding cable...

The more strands, the better the signal & efficiency of the cable...

Raf
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Old 06-27-2008, 03:07 PM   #9
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Re: What Cap

bought all my big 3 stuff yesterday and gonna install it today.
Cost about 30 bucks for all the stuff.. Then figured out the Napa guy gave me too small of ring terminals so I went to ShitTire and they wanted 7 bucks for 2 ring ternimanls sooo I bought the premade wires for around 50 bucks total.. Bought those and Install them today. I will use the ones I make on the next car or my brothers or something
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Old 06-28-2008, 06:53 PM   #10
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Re: What Cap

I dunno what welding cable you used, but the welding cable I've seen had strands so thin it might as well have been copper colored hair. Ultra flexible, ultra shielded.

Edit: Shielded isn't the right word. Ultra... coating? Dunno. But the stuff on 'em is nice and thick.
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Old 07-12-2008, 09:32 AM   #11
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Re: What Cap

I have always recommended a better battery and install the old one as the cap...buy an optima battery and see if your lights still dim...if they do install the old battery charge it and wire it in like you would a cap...they work just as good if not better than a cap...if you are set on a cap i would do 1.5 farads to every 1k watts...i had a 2 farad cap that i payed out the but for and my lights still dimmed horribly...so i bought a better battery used my old and worked like a charm...hope this helps

chas
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