Would i need a capacitor?

Question

For the following:

1.kicker ZR240 max current draw 60 amps

2.kicker ZR360 max current draw 80 amps

im sure you guys know these old kicker amps are known for killing batts. lol

the 240 is running my fronts & rears

and the 360 is running my sub which is a RF power hx2 12'' sub.

anyways i just hooked them up in the car with no capacitor or eq, etc. just like that. and just sat in the car listening to it and like in half way thro the second song the battery starts going low and the lights start dimming. im thinking i need thicker wire or cap. whats the deal? these old amps do take a bouch of current. is there anything i can do? im only 16 now. i paid 72 bucks for them on ebay of an auction. thanks

Answer 1

Try to avoid using capacitors if at all possible. They can really shorten the life of your alternator and/or battery. I'd swing by an AutoZone or Advanced Auto parts and have them do a quick check on your battery and alternator now and see if there's anything wrong with either before you resort to a cap. If both check out fine then a .5 Farad cap should be enough to help you out.

The reason for checking the other things first is that if you have another electrical problem then adding a cap will just make it worse. Instead of just fighting dimming headlights and the occasional low battery, then you will have a dead battery EVERY time you get into your car in the mornings.

Answer 2

A FLUX

Answer 3

if your total RMS equals 700RMS or more then you need to get one. a 1 farg capcitor will be good if you system is from 700RMS - 1600RMS.  

Answer 4

WOW! Some REALLY good wrong answers!

If your total system power is 1200 watts RMS or or have over 100 ampers of current draw,  you will need to:

1. Upgrade the alternator to a high output alternator

2. Upgrade to a heavy duty deep cycle battery

3. Upgrade the "Big 3" - that is to replace (or add to) the power wire between the battery and alternator, the ground from the battery to the chassis and the ground strap from the engine/tranny to the chassis with at least 2 AWG wire.

Failure to do this will result in the early death of the alternator  as it will eventually fail.

Here is a guide that will calculate what size alternator and power wires you need  http://www.datafilehost.com/download.php...

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A second battery is never a good idea as it's an added strain on the alternator to charge two batteries AND supply power for the car. The ONLY time a second battery is useful is if the audio system is to be used with the car off.

A capacitor is only good so far as the audio system isn't trying to pull too much from the electrical system. A cap doesn't provide more power, it's designed to 'stiffen' the voltage to the amp, nothing else. If the current isn't there, a cap won't help.

The alternator must have at least 20% more amperage power than the entire vehicle and sound system combined for a cap to be of benefit which is ironically the same requirements for an amp to be efficient.

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