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#1
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
I have two amps -- 400 watts each -- can I just add a cap before the
distribution block or do I need a separate cap for each amp? Thanks very much for your help. I appreciate it. |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
deus;678700 Wrote: On 15 May 2007 08:03:02 -0700, wrote: I have two amps -- 400 watts each -- can I just add a cap before the distribution block or do I need a separate cap for each amp? Thanks very much for your help. I appreciate it. Do you really even need a cap in the first place? -- deus No he does not. -- flak_monkey |
#3
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
Ok, so I don't need a cap. Allow me to rephrase the question:
Can you install multiple amplifiers on one capacitor? |
#4
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
Matt;678712 Wrote: Ok, so I don't need a cap. Allow me to rephrase the question: Can you install multiple amplifiers on one capacitor?Yes. If it's big enough. I think it's supposed to be 1000w per farad. -- flak_monkey |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
no, it's less, and dependent on the alternator's abilities as well. -- Member02 |
#6
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
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#7
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
Okay, it's AT LEAST one farad to every 1000w. Every mfg I've looked at says that. But caps are snake oil and they really don't do anything. -- flak_monkey |
#8
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
They are just a tiny battery that can dump all of its current fast. From what I read they only help your alternator live and maybe dimming lights to a point. They only do something when your voltage drops momentarily, then only last a fraction of a second. Any amp that is not a junk pile should have sufficient cap storage inside for its needs. My bright idea is to get a cheap jumper (auto jump start box) and hock the battery out of that if you don't want to go full size. They are cheaper than a cap($30?), pretty small/light, and actually hold power. Or leave it together and have a light/power plug/jumper/portable power in your trunk...most even have a voltage gauge of some sort and some an air compressor or inverter. It will not hurt anything to have a cap, mount it close to your amp that runs subs and has the most draw/spikes. If to small it will just do less as far as smoothing the current flow. The best thing to do is put more battery capacity in if you have a power supply problem, and/or bigger alternator. The cap may help a bit more if your amp wiring is too small, but hardly enough to notice. I got a 1f for $15 I am going to use with my stock alternator. If I need more I have an old jumper than I will mount up. -- s3sqguy |
#9
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
In article , PhattyMo wrote:
wrote: I have two amps -- 400 watts each -- can I just add a cap before the distribution block or do I need a separate cap for each amp? Thanks very much for your help. I appreciate it. Yes,you can. At last an answer. But, technically, it would be best done at the distribution block. greg |
#10
Posted to rec.audio.car
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Can I install multiple amps to one capacitor?
On May 18, 10:55 am, s3sqguy s3sqguy.2qs...@no-
mx.forum.carstereos.org wrote: They are just a tiny battery that can dump all of its current fast. pick type="nit" This is technically incorrect. A battery turns chemical energy into electrical (and thermal) energy. A capacitor can only store a charge applied to it--it creates no electricity. /pick They only do something when your voltage drops momentarily, then only last a fraction of a second. Correct. But the amount of time they "last" is dependent upon the size of the cap and the resistance in series with the cap. My bright idea is to get a cheap jumper (auto jump start box) and hock the battery out of that if you don't want to go full size. They are cheaper than a cap($30?), pretty small/light, and actually hold power. Or leave it together and have a light/power plug/jumper/portable power in your trunk...most even have a voltage gauge of some sort and some an air compressor or inverter. I'm not sure this sounds like a sane idea. This sounds like a shade- tree installer's version of adding a second battery--which is going to add an additional load to the vehicle's (already strained?) alternator. It will not hurt anything to have a cap, mount it close to your amp that runs subs and has the most draw/spikes. If to small it will just do less as far as smoothing the current flow. Capacitors do not smooth out current flow--they smooth-out voltage fluctuations. Capacitors respond instantaneously to current changes, but are slow to respond to voltage fluctuations; inductors ("coils") respond instantaneously to voltage changes but are slow to respond to current spikes: CLI - current lag inductor VLC - voltage lag capactior The best thing to do is put more battery capacity in if you have a power supply problem, and/or bigger alternator. It's not really an "and/or" thing. If you add more batteries, you're likely going to need to upgrade the alternator. When the engine is running, the entire electrical system of the vehicle is powered by the alternator, *not* the battery--the battery simply becomes another load on the alternator. Upgrading the battery will give you greater reserve power (for those times when the alternator can't keep up) and will allow you to play louder and longer with the engine is off, but what is normally needed is greater on-demand power when the engine is running. If you want to do the cheap thing, add a battery and maybe a cap. If you want to do the right thing, a high-performance alternator is prescribed. This topic has been beaten to death on this newsgroup. Please do a Google Groups search if you want to dig deeper. -dan |
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