Capacitor under hood?

Been doing a little research on capacitors because my headlights dim pretty badly at night when my sub hits. I've read that you want it as close to the amp as possible. But I've also read that capacitors are capable of melting shit which doesn't make me too comfortable having it inside my truck. Not to mention it looks tacky.
Would there be any problems putting it under the hood, or is the distance not that big of a deal?

 

What year and syle of truck? I have ran a boat load of power in the Taco and have yet to experience a voltage issue.

 

They are only tacky if you buy a junk one. I suppose they could melt if not properly installed, but I haven't seen anything before. Just put it as close as you can to the amp.

 

2007 Access Cab. I have my amp under my seat and the passenger seat sits lower so it won't fit under there. I don't want it visible at all. Also I always have people in the back so it would be getting kicked or smacked etc.
Is a new alternator my only other option?

 

x2

Caps are bandaids

 

Some Caps are the shape of amps. Run it under to the drivers seat.

 

List of fixes:
- battery ... larger capacity to handle the current requirements
- wire guage ... appropriate for current draw
- alternator ... to supply more current to battery

Cap is good for improving transient response (providing you have enough current supply and the wire guage to handle the spikes), needs to be close to the amp.
Cap provides very short term capacity for instantaneous current draws.
Not a solution if your lights are dimming.

Proper wiring methods and lugs make a difference as well.

 

"I would still runa cap even with all the fixes in place. I like overkill. "

cap is good .... very good actually. However it isn't any good as a crutch for an underpowered system. It's good to add punch and dynamic range, providing ..... you have the juice to supply your amp without dimming lights. Need to fix the root of the problem.
got enough capacity(battery), got heavy enough cables and proper lugs(complete conductor is terminated at the ends, not a piece of it cause it didn't fit) , heavy enough alternator to make the juice. cap is the icing providing a supply for peak transient response.