A little audio power help.

[jabartram]

ok, here is my deal i have added 2 gauge wire from my alternator supply to my optima yellow top, 2 gauge from battery to engine block, and 2 gauge from battery to body, i have a second smaller battery in my trunk, and a half farad cap. i purchased the RF 1001bd amp and hooked it up for sound testing(and is pretty sweet, sounds cleaner than my kenwwood excelon 1600) well i noticed while i was pushing the system pretty hard that my charging system voltage dropped to 12.4 volts until i backed the bass off. i will be changing up to a 1 farad cap, i'm still running my factory alt which has never given me any problems, but should i upgrade to a 200 amp, or try something else?

[cherrington17]

ditch upping the cap, invest in the new alt.

[clutch1]

x2 ^^^^^ the caps.. they do nothing!

[Ryan from Ohio]

The cap will help if you have a proper system.

You need a bigger alternator plain and simple.

[clutch1]

They'll take out the alt ripple so you've got a more constant voltage at the amp.

[Ian 2000GL LA1]

it's just the stock system, i have a 3000D audiopipe on a pioneer premier TS-W8102SPL (3000Wrms 8000Wmax) i have uped the body battery ground and i have a deep cycle nautalus marine battery (isolated) and 2 stinger 5 farad caps, i was told for competition to ditch the caps, but i have left them in there for dailey to stop the lights from dimming (starving the amp but it has time to draw from the secondary battery, but it still drags lights down. my lights on my EQ actually go out becouse of it. im thinking of putting in a second run of 0 and upgrading the rest of the grounds. isn't the stock alt 105AMPS?

[Ryan from Ohio]

Yes 105 amps...

[jabartram]

is the 105 amps at idle or 1800rpm?

[lonnie]

x2 ^^^^^ the caps.. they do nothing!
Caps absolutely work with out the cap you amplifier will be robbed of power by accesories in the car...ie lights, engine, air conditioner...etc. Here's some other info that I have found useful. However like others have said just upgrading wiring and to a high output alt should remedy the problem.

Will a Power Capacitor Help You?

I don't know, it depends. How's that for an answer? The degree of help a power capacitor will give you depends on your specific vehicle, car audio amplifier(s) current draw, music type and listening habits.
1. If the electrical system has a lot of additional reserve capacity (large alternator and battery) then you will benefit less then one that has a marginally acceptable charging system.
2. If you have large amplifiers with large current draw capability then you are more likely to need a car audio power capacitor. Smaller systems may not benefit at all or at least not enough to justify the cost.
3. If you listen to AM talk radio then you probably aren't going to have large transient peaks in your program material. But if you listen to bass heavy music then you are more likely to benefit from a power cap. This is especially true of classical music which has very large peaks and dynamic range.
4. You can have the biggest amps in the world but if you don't crank it up then you're not going to ever reach the large current draws those amps can require. Of course I don't really know anyone who buys big amps to let them idle. So if your system is being asked to reach loud volume levels a power capacitor can be a good supplement.

[clutch1]

Eh, I still say upgrading your alt/ big 3 wiring, and running bigger/multiple runs of power wire will be a more consistant way to solve lack of power.

[hahano404]

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[CarGodz]

The cap and battery are no replacement for producing power... You don't need to upgrade your cap just upgrade the alternator.

[hahano404]

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[jabartram]

i'm gong to be upgrading to a 200 amp alt, and installing a larger cap, i need suggestions on a cap to purchase?

[AftermathAlero]

Besides upgrading the big 3 power wires, did you also upgrade the grounds too?

[CarGodz]

Again, you do Not have to increase the size of your cap as it's only to smooth out voltage spikes and the one you have now will work fine for that... So don't waste your money... Instead use it to go towards a good alternator... Excessive Amperage Alts now have the smallest available overdrive pulley for a better charge at idle.

[hahano404]

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