my brother has a 99 alero. It's got a pretty decent system in it... nothing too major but it sounds good. anyways, the battery is new and the alternator is pretty much new (4 months) the old one burnt up because of having a system with no capacitor. He has a sony xplod 1200w with a 1.2 farad capacitor(i believe its that size... if i remember correctly) and two 12 inch subs(dont remember the brand) anyway the capacitor has a voltage reading on it and when he first replaced the alternator and installed the cap the voltage reading was around 12-13 even when hard bass notes hit.... now its in the mid to low 11's when hard bass notes hit and his lights dim slightly. Could the alternator possibly be going up? could this be solved with a bigger capacitor? or is this nothing to worry about? let me know thanks in advance!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Could the alternator possibly be going up?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">could this be solved with a bigger capacitor?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably not.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">or is this nothing to worry about? let me know thanks in advance</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd get the alternator load tested. Most auto parts store chains will do it for free...

 

So you don't think that a 2 farad might help a little more? It would be draining less in one shot since the amp is only going to pull 1200w of current from a possible 2000. Just a theory, I don't know how correct this may be.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So you don't think that a 2 farad might help a little more?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If the voltage in the vehicle is dropping 2-3 volts, then no, .8F is probably not going to help.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">since the amp is only going to pull 1200w of current from a possible 2000</TD></TR></TABLE>

What? I think you're in need of a refresher course in basic electronics... Wattage and Capacitance are not the same.

 

well I was thinking that the 2 farad, is 2000w, but I could have been misinformed a long time ago.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well I was thinking that the 2 farad, is 2000w, but I could have been misinformed a long time ago</TD></TR></TABLE>

Farad = Unit of Capacitance, not wattage.

http://www.the12volt.com

Please clicky linky and read. Alot.

 

good link, thanks for the reference material. I'll check it out

 

capacitors are a joke, even if you have 15 farads your lights can still dim and voltage will drop, this is a device for amplifiers to use as external power for split second draws when the bass hits. You may want to look into getting an isolator with a second battery for just your system. Capacitors solving the dimming lights problem when the bass hits is a huge myth!

 

^^^^^

My dying battery will second that one. The cap I installed was a waste of $$$

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by countryintegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">capacitors are a joke, even if you have 15 farads your lights can still dim and voltage will drop, this is a device for amplifiers to use as external power for split second draws when the bass hits. You may want to look into getting an isolator with a second battery for just your system. Capacitors solving the dimming lights problem when the bass hits is a huge myth!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not entirely true, Its a bandaid for needing a bigger alternator. You're lights won't dim as much, but your electrical system is still being starved

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sony224422 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not entirely true, Its a bandaid for needing a bigger alternator. You're lights won't dim as much, but your electrical system is still being starved</TD></TR></TABLE> OMG! capacitors are "bandaids"? I think we all know that stock alternators arent meant to deliver another 30+ amps of current. Caps arent bandaids for anything, they are meant to assist the amp. Thats why when you open an amp they are full of "capacitors", good amps i should say. Im sure this guy has never seen one. There are no "bandaids" for alternators or any little gnomes that steal your underpants either. A cap sure as hell isnt going to keep you alternator healthy. Either your alternator can or cannot keep up the the current draw that your stereo demands. The cap has no affect on anything your alternator does. Its is only there to back your amp up with a split second burst of power for accurate bass reproduction. 18 huh? you have much to learn rook. "bandaid" LOL!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kill y-tee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> OMG! capacitors are "bandaids"? I think we all know that stock alternators arent meant to deliver another 30+ amps of current. Caps arent bandaids for anything, they are meant to assist the amp. Thats why when you open an amp they are full of "capacitors", good amps i should say. Im sure this guy has never seen one. There are no "bandaids" for alternators or any little gnomes that steal your underpants either. A cap sure as hell isnt going to keep you alternator healthy. Either your alternator can or cannot keep up the the current draw that your stereo demands. The cap has no affect on anything your alternator does. Its is only there to back your amp up with a split second burst of power for accurate bass reproduction. 18 huh? you have much to learn rook. "bandaid" LOL!</TD></TR></TABLE>


Oh just because im 18 means i don't know anything. I'm sorry god.

But i never said a cap is gunna keep your alternator heathly. You should probably leave this forum, you don't help. you think you know everything. i would suggest you do what b18 told you to do in the other forum and just log out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kill y-tee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> OMG! capacitors are "bandaids"? I think we all know that stock alternators arent meant to deliver another 30+ amps of current. Caps arent bandaids for anything, they are meant to assist the amp. Thats why when you open an amp they are full of "capacitors", good amps i should say. Im sure this guy has never seen one. There are no "bandaids" for alternators or any little gnomes that steal your underpants either. A cap sure as hell isnt going to keep you alternator healthy. Either your alternator can or cannot keep up the the current draw that your stereo demands. The cap has no affect on anything your alternator does. Its is only there to back your amp up with a split second burst of power for accurate bass reproduction. 18 huh? you have much to learn rook. "bandaid" LOL!</TD></TR></TABLE> Actually it sounds more like your the "rook", I agree with sony224422 Caps are a band-aid, and a good one, [if installed properly] and will deliver the current the amp needs for those high output "burps", they are in no way a replacement for an alt., if your system constantly uses 5A more then your alt. can produce the alt. will eventually burn out, the only way to get more current is to replace the alt. with a bigger one., but if all you need is more current for and instant or so then the cap will work, keeping in mind, a cap like anything else, is another load for the alt. [1 farad/500W - 1000W RMS is my rule] I have been installing caps on sub amps for longer the there have been "car audio" caps, they are not a joke, the joke is people that don't understand how to use them. 94

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Actually it sounds more like your the "rook", I agree with sony224422 Caps are a band-aid, and a good one, [if installed properly] and will deliver the current the amp needs for those high output "burps", they are in no way a replacement for an alt., if your system constantly uses 5A more then your alt. can produce the alt. will eventually burn out, the only way to get more current is to replace the alt. with a bigger one., but if all you need is more current for and instant or so then the cap will work, keeping in mind, a cap like anything else, is another load for the alt. [1 farad/500W - 1000W RMS is my rule] I have been installing caps on sub amps for longer the there have been "car audio" caps, they are not a joke, the joke is people that don't understand how to use them. 94 </TD></TR></TABLE>

thank you. thats what i was trying to say.

 

I guess if you understand how to hook up a cap nobody needs an alternator for instant current draw. Just add more capacitors!

 

your really stupid. just leave.

 

You are really smart. Why dont i stay and learn from you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kill y-tee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You are really smart. Why dont i stay and learn from you.</TD></TR></TABLE>LMAO Probably the smartest thing you have said so far. 94

 

Well thanks buddy, that means a lot coming from you.

 

the only way to get more current is to replace the alt. with a bigger one., but if all you need is more current for and instant or so then the cap will work

A Chinese riddle i guess.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kill y-tee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well thanks buddy, that means a lot coming from you. </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol. Fcm has been installing for 30+ years iirc. He &gt; You.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by misanthropist &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

lol. Fcm has been installing for 30+ years iirc. He &gt; You. </TD></TR></TABLE> Thanks for the info, what is his favorite color?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kill y-tee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Thanks for the info, what is his favorite color? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Cute

 

im sure you 2 are together.

 

hm since you said that im 18 and i don't know anything, i guess you don't know anything either since your 27 and FCM is 56.

FCM PWNS you. Not to mention you have like 1/2 of a helpful post out of your 50 whatever.