Capacitors

white04alero · 05-01-2006, 12:56 AM

at what point do you need a capacitor?
if im running a 1500W amp at 720 RMS... do i need one? what size? 1Farad? more?
any help would be great.. thanks..

and if i get a capacitor.. will it still have the same drain on my alternator as if i didnt have one?

sound_xtreme · 05-01-2006, 01:33 AM

never.

and yes.

exnine@gmail.com · 05-01-2006, 07:37 AM

I could be wrong. But I think it kind of depends on your alternator, and how you listen to your music / settings.

If you have a stock alternator. You can run an alright audio set up, Judging from personal experience I had a 1000 watt amp. And it was dimming my headlights. After a few months, and eventually killed my alt.

If you have a high power / performance Alt. operating at like 160 amps. That should be more than enough to run a nice audio set up.

I'm planning on getting a CAP soon. Let me know if you find any good deals anywhere.

Good luck.

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sound_xtreme@Apr 30 2006, 11:33 PM
never.

and yes.

Quoted post

word ^^

Capacitor is merely a bandaid buffer for an electric system that's getting raped. Do the big 3, get a HO alternator.

~vR

white04alero · 05-01-2006, 01:15 PM

will i be alright on the stock alt? because 160 Amp alt are like 200 bucks right?

and where would i get one?

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 01:22 PM

Get the alternator from Autozone I think it is that has the lifetime warranty - kill it, take it back.

I'm running stock alternator -> relay -> two yellow tops -> amps (roughly 2,000W RMS), all with 4 gauge (currently... upgrading soon to 0/1 along with big 3). I've had my car for around two years now and only had to replace the alternator once... about a week ago.

The HO alternator is your cheapest and best solution, alongside upgrading the wiring.

~vR

white04alero · 05-01-2006, 01:24 PM

how much is it?

trumpetplayer91372 · 05-01-2006, 01:30 PM

I think my alternator just went out because my battery light went on and my battery is fine and things are starting to power down so im not using my radio right now. I have a 500Watt amp with 1 12" sub, so if my Alt is bad, would i need a higher powered one, or was it just a coincidence? Ive had my sub in there for like 6 months no problem and now it just started going bad. Im guessing its stock, i have a 99 alero.

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 01:30 PM

They range anywhere from just under $200 for a 160-180A/80A all the way to $300 or so for a 200A/125A - I'd recommend the Iraggi alternators... Dominator series are the cheaper line (80A idle), Amputator series are better (125A idle) but more expensive.

~vR

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trumpetplayer91372@May 1 2006, 11:30 AM
I think my alternator just went out because my battery light went on and my battery is fine and things are starting to power down so im not using my radio right now. I have a 500Watt amp with 1 12" sub, so if my Alt is bad, would i need a higher powered one, or was it just a coincidence? Ive had my sub in there for like 6 months no problem and now it just started going bad. Im guessing its stock, i have a 99 alero.

Quoted post

Sounds like she's goin' down - mine is a '99 as well. They do just go out - with that little power, you probably don't need a HO, however, one of the Duralast 102A from Autozone are like $120 - for less than $100 more you could get one of the basic 160A alternators... if you're car is dying now and won't run, just snag one of the parts store ones - but if it can last the shipping time for the HO, I'd get one. (with mine, gauges started dying, nothing would come on, wouldn't start so I had to pop one in there same day).

~vR

trumpetplayer91372 · 05-01-2006, 01:39 PM

I can drive it, but like 1 min into driving, my battery light comes on and every now and then the Anti-Lock light comes on. I had my radio in once and it just shut down so im driving without it to save power. Im taking it in today to see if it is the Alt which im like 99% sure it is. Clarification HO = ? And, if i get it fixed how much you think it will cost with parts and labor?

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 01:42 PM

Yep, definitely sounds like the alt. is going out. Do the swap yourself - takes all of 30 minutes if you've never done it before.

HO = high output. Replacement alternator puts out 102A, HO puts out anywhere from 160-200, depending on which you get.

~vR

2fst4u · 05-01-2006, 01:52 PM

any advice for wiring in the new one?

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 02:00 PM

Well, just as far as replacing it, I used this thread to do mine:

http://invision.aleromod.com/index.p...topic=9598&hl=

As far as the big 3, when I do mine, I'm going to try following this:

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimateb...ic;f=5;t=007801

trumpetplayer91372 · 05-01-2006, 02:02 PM

Ive never done it before, is it hard to do? especially with the belt right next to it, i dont want to mess something up so if its few bucks more i can have it put in right. Also, with 500Watts, do you think i need a HO or will a regular replacement do?

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 02:06 PM

It's easy as pie - just follow that awesome tutorial by FormulaNerd there. Might want to replace that serpentine belt while you're at it... they only run like $10-15.

You don't need a HO - if you plan on upgrading any of your power for your audio or running other stuff it might be worthwhile to look into... chances are you'll be fine just with the replacement thought.

~vR

cherrington17 · 05-01-2006, 02:10 PM

personally, i was running 1400W amp for my subs and i had the headlight dimming problem. got a 1F cap from a friend and it cleared it right up.

i've since also upgraded my alt, since i nearly killed my batt.

like violent said, a cap is mearly a bandaid for the problem. it helps, but not much.

SweetNLow · 05-01-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by violentrapture@May 1 2006, 01:22 PM
Get the alternator from Autozone I think it is that has the lifetime warranty - kill it, take it back.

Quoted post

thats what i did.... duralast gold alternator with a lifetime guarentee is about $125 or so at autozone.

trumpetplayer91372 · 05-01-2006, 02:38 PM

With no engine experience, i could pick one up at Autozone and do it myself as long as i follow that forum? I dont want to mess anything up, but i do want to save labor charges if i could do it.

violentrapture · 05-01-2006, 02:40 PM

Absolutely - I know nothing about engines either... I just gave myself a couple hours, got out the socket set and had at it. It really is pretty darn simple. 1 belt, about 5 bolts and that's it.