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Thread: Will a 400W amp need capacitor? |
    
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 01:00 am: |
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Hey guys,
Will i need to get a capacitor along with my 400W mono Kicker amp? |
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Gold Member Username: Subfanatic
Walton,
Ky
Post Number: 1992
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 01:01 am: |
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no the rule is 1 farad for 1000 watts, and 400 watts wont need it
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New member Username: Loadedstewie
Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan
Canada
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 01:19 am: |
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although he's right you do'nt need one, installing a .5 farad capaciter will be easier on your charging system and increase performance, especially if you have a small alternator. |
Gold Member Username: Subfanatic
Walton,
Ky
Post Number: 1996
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 01:20 am: |
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nah its not worth it, it will damgae it in the long run |
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 02:22 am: |
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Cool..thanks guys. Just needed a quick answer, i'll do more research on this later. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 04:20 am: |
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Hey Subfanatic, the general rule of thumb on this issue is one farad for every 500 watts of amplifier. Case in point, I had a 99 mercury cougar with a 2004 memphis 500 watt d-class amp., which are known for having a high efficiency rating (+99%). It was running two Alpine types E single voice coil 250 watt RMS/500 watt peak subs. Cheap I know, but they were perfectly matched for the 2-ohm stable 500watt RMS amp. I actually ended up killing the battery in the car b/c the charging system couldn't keep up with it. Another interesting fact to note was my car equipped with a stock 105amp alternator and 850 cold crank amp battery. I would recommend a one farad cap, but that is just my opinion.
However, a cap keeps the voltage running through your power wire more constant and steady, allowing you to get every dollar's worth of amp you paid for.
Bottom line, your car is an important variable in this equation. You could be fine without a cap. or you might drain a battery it really just depends on your car. |
Silver Member Username: Bnd_rulez
Phoenix,
AZ
USA
Post Number: 294
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 03:17 am: |
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You could always get a bigger alternator. |
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| Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 04:51 am: |
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Hmm.. i was afraid of that. Any good/bad brands for capacitors? |
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