langey
Member
Registered: 7th Sep 03
Location: Wigan
User status: Offline
|
what are power caps and what do they do?
|
Savinforcorsaproject
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 03
User status: Offline
|
I think they Controll draing ur Battery i cud be worng Wait for Austin To reply hes a wiz at ice.
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
they supply a large amount of energy in a short period of time when the amp needs it, and then "recharges" itself when the power demand isnt so high. In other words, they make sure the sub is always receiving enough power from the amp, and takes a bit of the strain off the battery.
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
Partly right mate.
The power cap takes a bit of the strain off the whole electrical system, but you shouldnt use a power cap if you dont have a decent amount of power already there.
Basically the power cap smooths everything out in your system. It can discharge much much quicker than a battery, meaning it can give the extra power instantly if called for by the amplifiers. This usually occurs on large bass notes. If the voltage drops quite low during a large bass drop, it limits the peformance of your amplifier.
In my opinion a power cap is the finishing touch to the system. The best things to do for the power side initially are to get an uprated battery. If you have a huge system (talking 1000RMS plus) then you should almost certainly upgrade the alternator to one with a higher output. If not then an uprated battery and a cap will sort you out.
|
M4tt
Member
Registered: 18th Apr 03
Location: Potters Bar
User status: Offline
|
would you need a power cap in a medium system - 500RMS and a 150RMS amp?
also a little off topic, would you use a 4AWG power cable and earth for the above amps?
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
Not necessarily but an uprated battery would be a good way to go.
For the 500RMS amp i would use 4AWG and for the 150RMS i would use 8 awg.
The way i do it is run 1/0AWG into a distribution block in the boot then take whatever from there.
|
M4tt
Member
Registered: 18th Apr 03
Location: Potters Bar
User status: Offline
|
ta maty 
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
would the optima red or yellow top be good enough for a 2400w rms system, with a cap? And what happens if i dont upgrade the altenator straight away, will it just mean the battery drains and i cant have the music loud for so long, or is it ESSENTIAL? Also, what sort of ampage (sp?!) altenator would i need for the above system and where can i get them? Sorry about all the questions, my ICE is on the way over from america, so i need to get stuff sorted!
[Edited on 10-09-2003 by drunkenfool]
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
A yellow top and a cap would be a good start, on a split charging system. But i would make sure that the yellow top got a full and proper charge. Its not essential to upgrade the alternator, but it is advisable because you will place alot of strain on your current alternator which isnt designed to cope with that kind of demand. Its life will be cut short.
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
what sort of price would i be looking at for a new altenator then, and what size will i need? Is a 1F cap enough too? Part time jobs at £4.57/hour dont pay enough for modding! 
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
You could get your existing alternator upgraded by getting it re-wound. As a general rule, you should have 1 farad per 500RMS.
|
MC Kustoms
Member
Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: Luton
User status: Offline
|
if u had 2x 1 farad power caps goin to a 1000w rms amp would this be ok
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
where can i get a reasonably priced 4F cap from then?!
|
Lil white corsa
Banned
Registered: 10th Sep 03
Location: Rainham, Kent
User status: Offline
|
There is quite a good 1 on www.caraudiocentre.co.uk for £49.99, that looks ok.
Im running 1600w, but i aint usin a power cap, not sure if that is a good thing or not????
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
biggest cap on that site is 2f and that was over £200! 
|
Lil white corsa
Banned
Registered: 10th Sep 03
Location: Rainham, Kent
User status: Offline
|
Maybe it was newimagecarhifi.com
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
site is down at the moment, i will look tomorrow, Cheers for the link
|
Fear
Member
Registered: 20th Nov 02
Location: Down off the hill
User status: Offline
|
I bought myself a 1.2 Farad Directed cap today, with Leds Led Display and neon ring, it even came in its own little wooden box, but weighs a tonne!!!!!!
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
where ya get it from
|
Fear
Member
Registered: 20th Nov 02
Location: Down off the hill
User status: Offline
|
Sextons, i know i know rip off but ive got a 0% finance card for 6 months and so its easy to pay for, and plus the guys in there i know really well and are really helpful and always give me some little stuff free or discounted
i wasnt happy that its was soooooooo big, i had to change my install even more to fit it in, but looks better in the end
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
How much u pay for it and can u give me the model number? Cheers pal
|
Fear
Member
Registered: 20th Nov 02
Location: Down off the hill
User status: Offline
|
Payed £199 for it dont know the model number il just go have a look be back in a min......
|
Fear
Member
Registered: 20th Nov 02
Location: Down off the hill
User status: Offline
|
.....Oh doesnt have a model number on it im affraid, just says: irected Audio Essentials, 1.2 Farad Digital Monitor Power Capacitor, hope this helps
|
drunkenfool
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
User status: Offline
|
ello cheeky corsa! Pleased with the bumpers altho got no £ to fit em!
|
John_C
Member
Registered: 5th Mar 03
Location: South east, Bromley
User status: Offline
|
poweramper 1 @ maplins for 50 squid
|
