Capacitor...

[Nemo]

So i bought a 1.5 Farad capacitor yesterday because i run a crappy Sony amp, question is will this help out if its only pushing i believe 550 Watts RMS, Is it a bad idea to install the cap?

[jewrrick]

it can't hurt anything. but you didn't need a 1.5 Farad, a general rules is about 1 farad per 1000watts.

[EW]

Getting rid of the sony amp would make more of a difference. Installing the cap will not hurt anything.

[NeedleSharp]

that sony amp is most likely pushing ~300watts rms MAYBE of power... a cap shouldnt be necessary for such a small load unless your electrical system is trash. however as said above, putting the cap in (assuming you instal it correctly and allow it to charge) will do no harm

[SNEAKY]

SIMILAR QUESTION.

my head lights dim some when it hits hard. would a cap be needed, or should i run some heavier gauge power wire first?

[NeedleSharp]

SIMILAR QUESTION.

my head lights dim some when it hits hard. would a cap be needed, or should i run some heavier gauge power wire first?

a cheaper and better fix would be to upgrade your alternator completly if possible... if you dont want to spend the money, it would be a good idea to upgrade you alternator cables to a bigger size. im going to do this sometime this week b.c i jsut got a slash series JL it is way underpowered. most cars have 6-10 gauge cable and its reccomended that you use a 2-4 gauge cable for most high end audio.

another reason could be your actual cables you are using to power your amp. if your cables are too small for the power of your amp then it will put more stress on your electrical system.

or, you got a shitty battery. old or $30 batteries dont hold a charge as well as a red top would or other high end batteries. this is going to be the most expensive fix but will benefit you in more ways than your audio.

a cap CAN increase the sound quality of your system and reduce the stress on your cars electical system. just make sure if you do get one, it is a good quiality brand and not a shitty one or it will be worthless. most people get caps for the reason that you state: lights dim when the bass hits. a cap isnt made to take large loads off your cars electical system... its made to give the amp the few extra volts it needs between bass hits while the car is recharging the battery to get the next thump in. if your lights are dimming, your cars electrical system is basically sending you a big cry for help... and the cap isnt gonna save it! just hide it!