amp shuts off :(
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Bixby, OK
A capacitor won't help this situation, this is a problem with his amp shutting off, a capacitor only helps your system sound better with better peaks, it adds an extra source of battery that is closer, so the energy dosn't have to travel so far from battery to amp, it only intesifies notes.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Brandon Mb
That's not what I understand a capacitator to do. A capacitator will hold power until it is needed, i.e. when the amp has to put out peak power. His problem is that the alternator cannot produce the necessary power to run everything when the amp is working its hardest. A similar thing will happen if you have your stereo on when the car isn't running, like at a bush party or somethin. Once the stereo has drained the battery down to around 8 volts, the amp will protect itself. There designed to work somewhere between 8 and 14 volts, give or take a bit. Anyway, when the amp is drawing max power, the cap will supply what the alternator cannot produce. Then after, the alternator will charge the capacitator back up.
Trevor
Trevor
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From: Bixby, OK
You're right, the alternator will not produce enough power to power the amp, so it transfers over to the battery, from there it's distributed through your fuses, and goes through wiring to your amp, where then it is used. The capacitator is also known as a stiffening cap, because on hard hit notes, where your peak power is used, the cap acts as a closer battery source. I don't personally think that you're running enough wattage to make the amp go into protection mode, I think there is something wrong with the wiring. If not, I wouldn't recommend a cap, I would recommend you putting in an additional battery, and run a lead from alternator to it, but have it where it's solely used for your amp, that can be both cheaper than a cap, and work better.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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The cap was suggested to help -w- the dimming light problem, not the amp shutting off. That's why I asked about the subs. DVC or SVC and how are they wired. I think the amp's seeing too low of an impedance, but can't say for sure untill I know more about the wiring. That's what it sounds like just from what's been written here.
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From: NorCal
Originally Posted by RomerB2
... I wouldn't recommend a cap, I would recommend you putting in an additional battery, and run a lead from alternator to it, but have it where it's solely used for your amp, that can be both cheaper than a cap, and work better...
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