I was looking through one of my mags a couple days ago, might have been a Super Street, and they were checking out this guys rides, and his system and all. In the trunk their were these little bottle like things, which I've found out are capacitors (I think that's what they are called, maybe I misread). What are these things....I've seen them before. I'm pretty sure it deals with audio.

 

its is used for when your subs. instead of using all the juices in your battery, it charges up in the capicitor and sends it to your subs. and i think also that it helps you not to drain you battery so easily. Ive notice that when i had some heavily sound system and my car lights where getting dim every time when the bass hits, thats me its the amps is draining my battery. so i suggest that if you have lots of amp and systems that you should go ahead a purchase one of those.

 

Caps are energy storage devices.

E.g.

Your amp is bumpin at a normal volume, suddenly it needs a surge of power, instead of draining the power from the battery (causing lights to dim), it draws from the cap instantly.

 

its is used for when your subs. instead of using all the juices in your battery, it charges up in the capicitor and sends it to your subs

wrong

and i think also that it helps you not to drain you battery so easily.

wrong

so i suggest that if you have lots of amp and systems that you should go ahead a purchase one of those.

correct

Caps are energy storage devices.
E.g.

correct

Your amp is bumpin at a normal volume, suddenly it needs a surge of power, instead of draining the power from the battery (causing lights to dim), it draws from the cap instantly.

somewhat correct

A cap can charge and discharge much faster than a battery.


[Modified by nsxxtreme, 5:09 AM 2/20/2002]

 

I think Teken hit it right on the head.
Sorry just don't have that much time to go that in depth.
Good explanation.

 

yea...way to go nsx...steer them ALLL the wrong way )

jk, you both beat me to it and i'm bitter

 

for me..i don't believe in capacitors since they supply power to your amp for such a short about of time. get a new alternator. it will help out in the long run. like said above...capacitor stores extra enery...where the alternator MAKES enery. capacitors will only supply power for the audio system. the alternator will supply power to your WHOLE electrical system.

 

A cap can charge and discharge much faster than a battery.

I think this statement in Tekens post is a very good explanation of what a cap does. Re-read the last part.
The role of the "stiffening" capacitor is to supply (peak current / voltages) when the music harmonics (bass) tansients are too extreme or sudden...

umm..........Teken you want to answer this one again.


[Modified by nsxxtreme, 9:14 PM 2/21/2002]

 

yes a cap can charge and release enrgy faster but also remeber a large cap will not charge/discharge faster than say 4 mini caps.....lost of small caps are better than a a few large ones but it becomes costly as well as taking up a lot of room. i just wanted to add that to this info.
Jim