Capacitor Install

[FirebirdHatesRice]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if any of you car stereo pro's might be able to help me out with a quick question I've got. The other day, I bought a 2 farad capacitor to hook up to my amp so I don't tax my electrical system when my bass hits hard (I got tired of the lights dimming)

Anyways, I'm going to have the cap installed tomorrow, and I was just wondering...is there any extra wiring I'm going to need for it to be installed or does it just hook up in line with the amp? I asked them at Circuit City (where I bought the cap) and they were in a rush, wouldn't give me a definite answer. Just wondering if any of you guys could clarify what is necessary for it to get installed.

Thanks,
Brent

[nda0602v6]

Yeah the cap hooks up inline with the amp but you want the cap as close to the amp as possible.

More than likely they will have to add a little extra wiring but it won't be a lot, maybe an extra foot or two for the ground and power wires and some ring terminals to be able to attach the wiring to the cap.

[FireFighter]

Throw it away, they are usless. Upgrade the big three, Battery and the alternator.

[FirebirdHatesRice]

Originally posted by nda0602v6:
Yeah the cap hooks up inline with the amp but you want the cap as close to the amp as possible.

More than likely they will have to add a little extra wiring but it won't be a lot, maybe an extra foot or two for the ground and power wires and some ring terminals to be able to attach the wiring to the cap.

ok so basically I need a foot of ground wire and a foot for power? I was under the impression that they just cut the amp power cable and put that into the cap, then continued it from the cap to the battery. I dont think the ring terminals are necessary though because mine uses a hex screw to just clamp down on the exposed wiring.

[nda0602v6]

"If" you already have enough slack in your ground and power wire then no you shouldn't have to add more wire. Note: The cap needs to have the - AND + hooked up to it. If the cap uses a setscrew to hold the wiring on then yeah that will save you some money from buying ring terminals. I'm assuming the cap came with a clamp of some sorts to hold it down? You should install it yourself and save some $

[FirebirdHatesRice]

I was thinking of doing that, I just don't trust myself...thats the only problem...is there anything major that could get screwed up (other than the actual charging, which seems pretty straightforward) You think I'd be capable of the install? It came with mounting screws, and mounts for the car and the hex driver to clamp down the wiring, as well as the resistor for charging. This is the cap here: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Tsuna...oductDetail.do

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it. If you don't think it should be too tricky maybe I'll just do it myself tomorrow.

[nda0602v6]

Yeah it's pretty straight forward. Before you start, first pull the fuse under the hood for your systems main Power wire to cut the power while you're working back in the hatch. Then fasten down the cap wherever it is you want to mount it and hook up just the Ground (-) wire to the (-) terminal on the cap for now. Put the fuse back in up front and charge the cap like the directions say using the resistor.(resistor between the main Power wire (+) and the (+) terminal on the cap) Once its charged, remove the resistor and hook up the main Power wire (+) to the (+) terminal on the cap and that's it. Here's a generic diagram of one way you could wire it.




[ December 29, 2004, 02:46 AM: Message edited by: nda0602v6 ]