cap

[thekid]

ok i did do a search about but it dint cum up with my problem ok i have the au thermo fans 2 12 inch subs and a 1000 watt d class mono block amp after about 30 mins of driving the subs will cut in and out until i turn it down now iv bean told get a new bigger battery and i bean told to get a bigger altornator and then i rang auto barn today and thay sed a cap shod fix it so what do use think

[the_duke]

Capacitors are the biggest waste of money.

A bigger battery would be a much better option. But wouldn't necessarily fix your problem.

Can you please give me the brand and model of your sub and amp.

Is it all cheap equipment? (nothing wrong with that)
What kind of car?

Then we can get into it!

[thekid]

nah good stuff i have a vr ss its a keenwood amp not shore on part number can get it later if need be and there 12 inch clarion subs 500 watt etch sub

[kopper69]

The problem may not have anything to do with the voltage (and therefore battery/alternator/cap) but the amplifier itself. If the amp is getting too hot, because it is being worked harder than it has been designed for, it may be going into protection mode. Are your lights dimming or anything like that? If yes, look at things like battery. If no, suspect the amp. I wouldnt be calling that autobarn again - they dont know what theyre talking about and are just trying to sell you $hit.

[Joe Peeps]

while caps do sometimes have a place, with that gear you shouldnt need any mods to the electrics or even a new battery... id be looking at my wiring first mate - how are you earths? or as Kopper says it may be the amp - is the load appropriate?

[thekid]

i was saying that to the guy today it cum in the car the wiring kits not up to my standards its pretty **** wires i was nerly going to spend like 500 on a bigger altornator so u recon a bigger battery wat have u got in ur car

[thekid]

oh and yes my lights do dim

[Joe Peeps]

you got VD brother

The dimming of your lights indicates a voltage drop over your electrical system. what gauge wire you running mate? and where is your amps earthed? ps what state are you in i have some cable that may be of use i personally recommend fixing the wiring otherwise even with a new battery you'll still have probs. wiring fix should be enough

[thekid]

im in sa yeh im going to get the top of line from auto barn and my amp is on my flip part of my back seat i dont no wat gauge wire it is i no i use to have bigger in my old cars it is earthed just above it on the parcel shelf

[bezz]

other guys are right, dodgy wiring and earth. At the very least check that the paint has been removed where the earth wire makes contact to the car.

[thekid]

yeh ok so u all say that a cap is realy just for looks then

[bezz]

pretty much.

[daron]

if you have a good battery and propper size power/earth cable you dont need a cap
caps waste time i run 3 amps and never had a prob

[thekid]

do u have the stock altornator wat size r the amps wat battery do u have

[Phreddy]

Joe, bezz, daron - they all said it - get the wiring sorted out, good solid ground point, inspect the battery terminals - maybe replace them if they're a bit shoddy.

THEN see if you're still getting dimming light problems and such - if so, then you might need a reco'd alternator. Really even the stock alternator should be OK - I don't really know, but I would think it would have to be 80A or more - my car has a 100A alternator as standard. At any rate, once you get all your connections sorted out (which are what costs a LOT in voltage drop terms), your alternator should be able to cope with that fairly easily.

A capacitor is definitely not going to help you at all - unless the salesman can convince you that your wallet is too heavy. They do have their place, but certainly not here.

[neobristol]

where do i look for an uprated alternator?

[StoneX]

If your amp is cutting out after playing for a while, it's MOST likely to be a heat issue. If it's cutting out as soon as you start playing music, it's most likely a wiring issue.

It sounds like you need to look at both because your amp is cutting out after a while and you're also getting dimming.

Don't even consider a capacitor, battery or alternator until your wiring is up to scratch.

[thekid]

ok tnxs alot guys and neobristol u can get it from any car part shop realy

[kopper69]

yeh ok so u all say that a cap is realy just for looks then

Not always, but for a lot of people that is really all it is (if they know it or not).