for the audio gurus out there!!!!

i bought and installed the 500k microfarad capacitor with the digital readout, but it goes on and off. does any body know why or is this normal.

power from the battery is connected to the positive terminal of the capacitor and then it goes to the positive terminal of the amp. then the negative terminal of the capacitor is just grounded to the body of the truck. is thid right?

thanks.

 

What size amps are you running that you think you need a cap? I would personally upgrade the big three and my alt. before putting money in a cap. Its kind of like a band aid for a wound that will never heal.

 

capacitors are dumb. if u need more power for ur system like he said higher output alternator. caps always fuck up

 

good to know, it just came with the amp wiring kit so... I do not really need it but i just wanted to install it and was wondering why it kept turning on and off.

 

Before you even spend the money on a HO alt, I would look into the big 3 (I think there is a write up on CT). If you arent familiar with that, it is upgrading the wiring for:

1 Battery Neg to Chassis
2 Alt to Battery pos
2 Chassis to engine.

From my reading, this seems to fix people problems (dimming lights) most of the time. If this doesnt fix it, then look into a HO alt...if that doesnt fix it...then think about a cap, or a dual battery setup.

OP, I rally have no idea whats causing your problem...look through the manual for your cap if you really want to keep it...some like the "bling factor", not my cup of tea though) and make sre you didnt miss something. And triple check your connection points. I had a similiar prob wth an amp do to a poor crimp on the remote wire.

 

the use or benefit of caps is probably the oldest debate still going in car audio...lol..

I agree with others that the Big-3 should be your first step. I also installed a Kinetik battery. I eventually removed the additional 0 gauge and fuse-block from the alt to the battery, as I havent installed my system yet, but think it wont be necessary.

However... AFTER making these upgrades, it is my opinion that a quality cap (like an Alumapro) can help stabilize power input to the amps. The downfall though, is the additional wiring associated with a cap, the potential for complications.

There are many knowledgable people in car audio who follow the KISS (keep it simple stupid for the 1 person who hasnt heard it..lol) rule... I only wish I could be one of them...lol..

Have you tried running the system without the cap? If you remove it and dont notice a difference, then I would suggest leaving it out...again..keep things simple.

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

 

Did you charge the cap before installing it?

 

when i installed it it was not charged, but then, like any guy, i read the instructions so i disconnected everything and charged until the digits went up to 11.8.

and yes, the system works without the cap with no noticeable difference, but still i would like to know what i am doing wrong...

 

It sounds like you installed it properly so sans a bad connection my guess would be it is defective.

Buy "better" speakers with the money you will save by not buying a cap.