Capacitors - advice on where to install it, how ...

[Noisycow]

I went shopping around for a smaller 1-2 Farad cap and found this one.

I emailed the guy to ask about the dimensions of the large one 1.8Farad I think.

This one is better for me because it doesn't have plastic mounts, flashing LEDs and a useless big blue led screen - what you see if what you get.

[superdafe]

When I get to the office tomorrow I can actually calculate the best size cap for you. The ones on Ebay don't even spec a voltage rating...

Not only that, I can direct you to a website to find any size cap.

[Savvyav]

Noisycow previously said:

I'm in way over my head on this, but I like a challenge. Ok, if I have a 4G power feed right into the Cap - and yes it says just to ground the - off to a separate ground than the amp uses - the Pos + is just in line as if the + terminal of the cap is simply tapped into the power feed.

If I come off the + side of the Cap and then to a 4G to 8Guage distribution block and the 8guage is kept very short into the amp, say under 18" would that be OK? I have to tap into power at some point with an 8guage power wire over to the drivers seat 300/4.

Since I don't want to drill into the pan unless I absolutely have to, is there a clean way to use the seats bolts as a grounding point? I guess I need to go hunting for a 1/2" fork or loop that has something on the end that will clamp to the 4G ground wire. I want to avoid the cheesy way of just mashing down bare wire.

The 300/4 amp will definitely fit under the driver's seat, already tried that. I just wish the Cap I got wasn't so huge. Plus it is chrome/plastic. It has a big blue volt LED. It has a lot of flashing leds on top. Blingaroo! and ... did I mention it is BIG. Then, there are the plastic clear mounts.

Try this as a gen ref for wire gauge vs length American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits

I have a 3 fd cap in the rear compartment where the jack is/was (you can mount it straight back (front toward opening back toward outer fender)with proper padding (ill post pics once i get a chance.)

[FJCameron]

superdafe previously said:

When I get to the office tomorrow I can actually calculate the best size cap for you. The ones on Ebay don't even spec a voltage rating...

Not only that, I can direct you to a website to find any size cap.

You are a real resource superdafe

[AAAAAAA]

Before you go and buy another cap.. remind us again why you need one?

[Northshore Voodoo]

Noisycow previously said:

I went shopping around for a smaller 1-2 Farad cap and found this one.

I emailed the guy to ask about the dimensions of the large one 1.8Farad I think.

This one is better for me because it doesn't have plastic mounts, flashing LEDs and a useless big blue led screen - what you see if what you get.

Noisycow, I have a 1 farad cap, Street Wires brand, that is about 12 years old, never been used and I bought it brand new. I purchased it for a system I was going to upgrade but I traded the car and did not get to do what I wanted then got married a couple of years later and that was it. It has been stored away and has moved everywhere with me for the last 12 years. I think back then the cost was around $100. I want to pay it forward! I will give it to you for nothing and will handle the shipping also! You have nothing to lose if it does not work but I do not think that that will be the case! If your are interested PM me your info and I will send it to you Fed-Ex Ground!

[superdafe]

Wow! Thats the spirit!! Nice of you Northshore!!

[Castle Rock FJ]

COW,

Run 4 Gauge + and - to the Cap. Hook up the ground to the chassis and then run a 4 gauge ground directly from the cap to the 500/1 and at least an 8 gauge to the 300/4 - secure all 3 of these grounds to the CAP. Before your power up the Cap with the resistor, hook up the 4 Gauge power wire to the 300/1 and a power wire to the 300/4 that is the same size as the ground wire you ran to it. Charge the Cap with the resistor and then screw in all of the power connections. - READ THE DIRECTIONS AND GIVE THE CAP TIME TO POWER UP - READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!

You can buy a longer bolt if it is not long enough. If you get a standard round 1 Farad Cap you can buy a distribution block that will mount to the top.
Like this one -
LINK HERE

I would agree superdafe about the one on fleabay - It does not state what voltage it is.

[Mypearl]

heres what ill tell you is the best. Brax IPC 1.000.000µF bei CSMusiksysteme had 2 of them in last car, there insane

[jt's cruiser]

Quick note on caps.

-Caps are pretty much always a good thing to have with amps, as a rule of thumb you want 1 Farad for every 1000 watts of rms power.
-Caps basically function as a quick discharge power reserve. This serves 2 main purposes. 1 it saves your bat and alternator from being damaged or having their lives shortened by uneven and demanding power draw from the audio system. It also keeps the "disco" (lights dimming ect) effect from happening alot of times when a big draw occurs. 2 it makes your system sound better by giving it the power it wants. This is especially true in the case of sustained bass, where you have the 1st bass beat sound full, and then weaken due to a lack of power.
-Caps should be installed as close to the amp/amps as possible. Less distance traveled means faster power delivery
-You can use caps as a distribuiton point, but it's not advisable.
-With multiple amps, it's best to run a higher gage wire 1 or 4 from bat to fuse to cap, then to a distrib block. Then run smaller gage out of the block 4 or 8.


Here is a good diagram for a single amp install

Answer

A couple of other notes on caps.
-Not all caps are created equal, there is a very clear deliniation and price differences between caps. The rate of discharge, peak voltage, voltage rating and other factors determine the quality of the capacitor.
Your better brands, Rockford/Monster will typically retail for about $150/1Farad
Your cheaper brands tsunami/lightning audio etc will typically retail about $79.99-99.99/1Farad
For very large and demanding system you might see caps of 25/50/100 farads, this is not the actual rating in most cases, and it actually runs between 4-10farads but with the ability to deliver more burst power.

Ultimately you get what you pay for, when I first got into the car stereo arena I tried a couple of different brands, but now use Monster exclusively.

I will start posting some general wiring stuff on our vendor forum, hope that helps some of the DYIers.

AAAAAAA previously said:

Before you go and buy another cap.. remind us again why you need one?