What are capacitors used for??
 

anybody?

A capacitor is a device that opposes a change in voltage. In this case it tries to maintain a steady voltage during electrical dynamics (i.e. a loud stereo pumping out bass). The capabilities and value of a capacitor in a car audio application are an item of continual discussion.

An easy way to explain the use of a Cap is that it works somewhat like a second battery. It will store voltage and release it very quickly to help your alternator and battery work more efficiently while playing your stereo. Most factory alternators are designed only to run the car with the factory stereo and can't provide enough amperage for higher current amps and stereos. That will cause your headlights to dim, dash to dim etc. when playing your music loud. A cap will improve your alternators ability to supply power to the rest of your car, as it is installed in line with your stereo to provide some extra power when needed. A cap also releases stored power much quicker, and charges rapidly unlike a battery which makes it useful for car stereo bass peaks. Hope this helps. There is also 2 types of caps, the conventional caps which are usually 1 to 2.5 microfarad, and the hybrid, which are usually 6 to 40 microfarad. Do a little research to see which is right for you as they work on different principles, and cost is greater on the hybrids.

You're partially right. Caps will not prevent your lights from dimming, upgrading the Big3 will take care of that for you. Stock alternators are more powerful then people think they are. Especially in newer cars, alts are made to support all the little goodies and circus toys you may want to add. Personally, once you're creating enough draw, I guess anywhere over 1000 watts, you would probably want to replace the alt.

Caps, IMHO, are borderline useless. They really serve no purpose to those who are not pushing kilowatts through their systems. In most scenarios its better to just upgrade the battery and alt.

Caps are useless... they do nothing for your system at all, and are a waste of money...

I agree there are better ways to provide power to amps such as higher amp alternators, bigger better quality batteries such as Optima or Batcap, or dual batteries, or spending your $ on better, more efficient amps; however, caps aren't in my opinion useless. They do provide a quick burst of power during musical peaks, and I have used one in my system with good success. I have an older car with a wimpy stock alternator (stock only 90 amp, and the car can draw easy 60 amp with the lights, wipers and a/c running, I checked), and have not been able to find a manufacturer that makes an aftermarket powerful alt for my engine (3.0L v6 Dodge). I just upgraded to a rebuilt one from a minivan from a scrapyard which gave me an extra 25 amps according to the sticker, and better cooling because the stock had no "fins". I added an inexpensive 1.2 F cap, and noticed an immediate difference in bass. My system had audibly tighter mid bass. Granted, my alt is still hopelessly underpowering my system, but I have not been able to find a shop to replace the diodes/wire etc at a decent price to upgrade. Stinger makes a compatible one, rated at 170 amp, but it is outrageously expensive and I could care less about the fancy fake gold plating or shiny stickers on it. I am currently messing with a bracket made from a air conditioning brace to add a second alt. at the front of my engine running off a second belt for stereo purpose only, with a second battery in the trunk. Lots of work, but if it works will be worth all the trouble.

For you to get the full potential of a cap, you have to get a good quality one and must be installed right w/ good cables...

just get a secondary battery and an Isolator.
That should do the trick, did for me...

They most likely do nothing. They do not help your alt power your system at all. It does the opposite, as the alt no has to keep charging up the cap aswell as the battery. More than likely if you spend $20 doing the big 3 and upgrading your grounds it will help alot more than a cap. Your alt can only produce so many amps, after you exceed that, there is no way to make it produce more. The big three will allow you to use whatever many amps you have more efficiently.

whats the big 3? Keep hearing it, no idea what it is.

yah, i double dat question ;)

Big 3:

1. alt to battery (fused)
2. engine block to chasis
3. chasis to battery


Basically you're upgrading the wiring basics needed to freely pass current. In a sense, its like doing a Stage 0 upgrade on a car.

Most people dont understand or recognize the positives to upgrading the Big3. Doing something as simple as the Big3 can eleviate things like dimming headlights, engine moan, and alternator efficiency.

I laugh at those who run megawatt systems but have yet to do the Big3. It really is the first thing someone should do, even before purchasing the system.