Do i need a power cap for my car?

Question

i have a 15 inch kicker L7 running off a jbl 1201.1 at 2 ohms, 1000 rms, do i need a power cap if so what size ect....

Answer 1

i never recommend my customers using a capacitor. they might work for a bit, but they will reduce the life of your amplifier by alot.

what i do recommend them is to either upgrade their alternator to a High Output and do the big3, or get a kinetik battery and do the big3. kinetik sells a very small battery for around 90 bucks *cheapest ive seen them brand new* and they have the power of over 100 capacitors. these will not require you to upgrade your alternator and will reduce your dimming lights by alot or even eliminate the dimming at all.

Answer 2

There are a lot more variables to determine whether or not you need a cap. The best thing to do is to bridge your system so it does not burn out your amp.  but if you are putting your system in an older vehicle, it actually may be the battery and alternator.  A cap simply stores power to send to your system in spurts.  however, if your car's battery is weak, it will not be able to charge   the cap.  But you really should have provided the type of car you are installing the system in.

You can determine this when you hook up your system.  After installation, turn your system up a little and look at your headlights.  If they are dimming, it is most likely your battery not strong enough to power it and the alternator can not send enough power due to the weak battery. Rather than a cap, i would suggest a yellowtop battery.  This is a self-charging battery specially designed for cars with audio systems.  This is like having a cap installed into your battery.  This optima battery lasts twice as long and produces twice as much power. However, you will need to check that your alternator is capable of powering the battery.

        http://www.optimabatteries.com/

http://europe.optimabatteries.com/publis...

Answer 3

What kind of battery are you using, also I would look at your alternator, That really determines whether you should get a cap. Look for an aftermarket alternator made for high accesory load. also i would look into getting an optima yellow top battery. They are a little more expensive but in the long run they really help out. I am pushing (2)Kicker 15" 2005L7 with 910X2 from a logic soundlab amp. I got an aftermarket alternator off the internet for my Escalade and a yellowtop optima battery, my lights don't dim nor do my dash lights even on a deep draw. Make sure you have a deep cycle alternator it will make all the difference. your factory alternator will only be good for about 6 months with continuos use, so it's up to you. good luck

Answer 4

the cap is going to take more energy and it doesnt really do anything

Answer 5

I would say get one. I usually go with a 1 farad for every 500 watts in the system.

Answer 6

ahh i ussaly say anything past 1000 wats u could concider getting one.. and anything under ussaly doesnt make a difference.. soo that would be up to u if u wanna spend the money for one.. if u do id surjest a 1 farid cap (its recomended 0.5 farrid per 500 watts..