jeepjeepster said:
jfortier777 said:
Jeepster I think I've told you already but I REALLY like the sledgehammer boxes.
I was just waiting for an excuse to use that pic, lol. It kills me.
I thought you said something about it, but I couldnt remember. It seems to do REALLY good for what Ive got in it. I think the box with sub was around $350 and I bought a used Referb amp for $150 from mikes. I was trilled at how good it sounded for only $500. I really need a cap though, the headlights dim when I turn everything on and crank it. After all my lights are on, Im pulling around 28 amps which isnt that much since I have a 136amp alternator and a optima red top. Its around $100 for a cap and Ive got better things to spend money on. When Im bumpin it at night, I just turn everything off but my headlights. 8-[
Cap wont help ya... much
To explain it briefly, the usage of a cap in recent years can be described as "old habits die hard".
They use to be used back in the earlier years when car audio became popular for the sake of better powering the amp.
In short, the amp got power faster than if it drew off of the battery. This would result in a cleaner, sharper, and overall much more desirable sound.
Eventually amp MFGs caught on. For the last 5 years at least amp MFGs include the necessary capacitors inside of the amp. This is done by placing multiple smaller capacitors inside and wiring them in parallel. Adding more capacitance its always better, but keep in mind that in comparison; your battery has billions of farads of capacitance, the only advantage that the capacitor has over a battery is the rate of discharge.
Now if you throw an Optima in the equation, the rate of discarge rises awsomely from that of a standard battery, and an aftermarket capacitor becomes all that much more useless.
To answer the inevitable question that I am sure you are wondering. (Then why to people still use them, in shows and what not.)
That question has multiple answers which differ from person to person.
Here are a few.
-Lied to by the shop who set it up, and convinced it was needed.
-Legitimately know what they are doing and cant afford a BATcap so they are using multiple capacitors to squeeze out that last 10th of a dB while benchmarking.
-Like the look of it.
-A placebo that makes them feel better about the drain on their power system.
Its important to realize also the though the rate of discharge is substantially higher than that of a standard car battery; the rate of charge is just as fast. So as soon as that cap is empty, which is a matter of milliseconds and even faster with more power draw, it is going to suck as MUCH power as it can out of your battery until its full, and it will do it faster than your battery can manage and your lights will just dim a few milliseconds off beat from the bass line.
In conclusion (WTF am I writing a report or something), a capacitor will help you with your power draw problem, but as for the actual results...
You will have to look VERY closely to see any difference. (and yes your lights will still dim)
If you feel possesed to blow $100 then for 40 more you can buy a brand new yellow top and double the discharge rate of the power source in your vehicle.
*I know you said you had no immediate intention to buy one but I thought I would rescue you before you fell into the same hole so many people do.*
!!!The above statements are my personal opinions derived from factual specifications of modern car audio amplification equipment. Should you choose to refute any of the above statements. Then we will have to joust for a winner!!!
BatCap - A miniature battery with hundreds of farads of capacitance and a discharge rate equal to that of a capacitor.
/ Jk miah. The rear glass will rattle some from the outside, but the libby seems to be purty solid when it comes to rattles, mine is atleast. I only have an 12in MTX with 400watts though. I feel no need to have anything more than that. 8-[
