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power cpas/capaicators

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power cpas/capaicators

charlieboys93UNO said:
what is the job of "power caps" ?

charlie
Click to expand...

Basically they stabilise the power signal, and provide a little extra oomph at low power bass notes.

The power fed in will have peaks and troughs all the time - a powercap trys to fill in all those gaps and make a nice clean power signal - which means a cleaner power signal to an amp.

Also, when the bass notes hit a low note, more power is drawn. The cap also acts as a resoviour that charges and discharges very quickly, so when the low notes hit, it can provide a bit more power than the car normally would provide.
 
thanks luke, just wondered as went to a car show today and the bassjunkies car was running four and i had never reallly seen them being used before. i take it they are necesary with bigger installs to keep them working at a level of "perfection"

charlie

p.s front door builds were the same as the rear, and trimmed in black suede with red leather
 

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I am loving the 'broom stick'. A new trend being started perhaps? Will have to include on in my install when its finished!!!
 
lol @ broom stick, i dont see the point have having screens there, whos gotta stand and watch it, unless u grab a chair an site in a middle of a field or something
 
i would not recomend getting a power cap at all...

i had one in my old install when i had a vauxhall astra mk3,

it is ment to supply the amp with all the power needed by delivering constant power to the amp so its basicly a second battery,

allthough very cool when it has a LED display tell you the volts of the cap, and you can see the battery flicker when playing music.... despite these things without having a 1000w amp and sub or higher the capaciter simply delivers to much power to the amp flicking it to protect mode, even with all bass turned down to the lowest setting on the head unit and on the amp the amp would just keep turning to protect, so if your going to get one send it back imediatly

little bit of knowledge
 
also, a power cap itself uses power - people seem to forget this.

Imagine this, music hits big bass note, voltage drops, alternator goes *hurrrrch* as it strains to supply the power.

But then, a power cap is fitted. Big bass note is hit, power cap goes *whey (y) *, but then.. the power cap needs recharging whilst the amp needs power. The music has progressed to the next big bass note, the voltage drops, alternator goes *hurrrrch* then the power cap saps some power to charge itself and the alternator just goes *hurrrrrrrrrrcccchhhh* and gives up.

Power caps are stupid, end of.

But to answer the quesiton of "What is the job of a power cap?" Its to make money off people who don't understand 100% whats going on.
 
Also, if something is not actually working (e.g. "not enough power", "cuts out", whatever else) then it's something else you need to fix.

Maybe a bigger/better/newer battery, or even bigger alternator if your setup is that grand.

Capacitors are only good for making your own crossovers (see, I hate component kits as well ;) )
 
im not getting one. doubt i will ever have an install big enough to need them, if i did well... not having them anymore lol.

only wanted to know what they were for as i wasnt too sure.

cheers charlie
 
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