Capacitor Question

[NickT88LSC]

Got a question. What brand/size capacitors are good and which brands stay away from.

I need to add a Capacitor to my system since it looks like the car is gonna stall when I crank the stereo. I just added a second amp, so I have 1 MTX 300 watt running the JL 10's, and I have a Alpine 4 channel amp running the small speakers, I would guess at most the Alpine is 100 per channel.

 

[96hotrodlincoln]

If your car is stalling when you have your stereo up, you should look into a high output alternator and then a second battery. A capacitor would only put a band-aid on your problem. Capacitors are good for keeping the lights from dimming on hard bass notes, but will not help in a continuous bass line. You should probably have your alternator checked out. Chances are, if you're pulling that hard on it, it's almost dead.

It would likely take several capacitors to solve your problem. You'd be better off to go with a higher output alternator. Check out http://www.excessiveamperage.com I hear they have good alternators.

 

[NickT88LSC]

I was exagerating by saying the car looks like it is going to stall, I never had a at/low voltage warning come on in the car, just the lights dim a lot when the bass hits. Car has a new battery in it (limited on choices), got the Motorcraft 850 CCA one.

 

[96hotrodlincoln]

Take it to autozone and have them check your alternator for S's and G's. If you're wanting to still use a capacitor. Then any of the big names should be good. I would recommend at least a 2 Farad Capacitor though. Like the one shown here.

But for the price I would recommend trying this. You can read more about how it works here and I found a decent deal on one here.

For the money, I'd say go with the batcap. I've been running one for three years now and it still works great. It is getting a little weak and I probably need to replace it but still no major complaints. Just a suggestion but for the money how could you go wrong?

 

[NickT88LSC]

Take it to autozone and have them check your alternator for S's and G's. If you're wanting to still use a capacitor. Then any of the big names should be good. I would recommend at least a 2 Farad Capacitor though. Like the one shown here.

But for the price I would recommend trying this. You can read more about how it works here and I found a decent deal on one here.

For the money, I'd say go with the batcap. I've been running one for three years now and it still works great. It is getting a little weak and I probably need to replace it but still no major complaints. Just a suggestion but for the money how could you go wrong?

Thanks, some good info there. That Batcap is pretty cool. From what most are replying here and other boards the capacitors are not the first/best choice. I am going to see about upgrading alt first I think, if Autozones website is correct my stock Alt. is 110 amps. I would have figured it was more, but I will see.

 

[ground_zero298]

capacitor's are for competitions, not for driving around the block thumpin. Second battery and a high output alternator are a better way to go.