Lights are dimming w/bass
Thread Starter
Spinnnnnnnnnnn
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From: Windsor, Ontario
Hi folks, I got a 12"Kicker Solobaric sub installed in my car with a 1000w Alpine monoblock and when I'm slamming some techno or IDM the bass makes my headlights dim. Is this problem fixed with a Capacitor or is there a better alt/battery combo I could get? Is there a product that fixes this? Keep in mind that I have just started modding the stereo and I would like to perform the better solution and not the quicker/cheaper solution.
I've always gone with the 1farad for every 1000 watts and doing a quick google search confirmed this as well.
What Size Car Audio Power Capacitor Do You Need?
http://www.caraudiohelp.com/newslett...citor_myth.htm
You can mount the cap in the trunk, that's what I did.
What Size Car Audio Power Capacitor Do You Need?
Since the beginning of car audio power capacitor time (late 1980's) the accepted rule has been one Farad of capacitance per 1,000 watts of power with a minimum of one Farad (that last part is often forgotten). I've never seen any details on how they came up with that so I don't know what it's based on. But no one seems to have offered a better guideline so that's what we still use today. More isn't necessarily better but it doesn't hurt either.
You can mount the cap in the trunk, that's what I did.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Audio-...ney&id=1552880
and here as well to all the Cap lovers out their:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyKqWqzHMVI
Last edited by Pullett1; Jan 13, 2010 at 08:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Spinnnnnnnnnnn
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, Ontario
/\ thanks, that should be easy.
Is there a better brand or the cheap craigslist Power AcoustiK/Stinger 2.0 Farad for 50$ should be good.
---off topic but my taillight is foggy.
Is there a better brand or the cheap craigslist Power AcoustiK/Stinger 2.0 Farad for 50$ should be good.
---off topic but my taillight is foggy.
read this then:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Audio-...ney&id=1552880
and here as well to all the Cap lovers out their:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyKqWqzHMVI
http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Audio-...ney&id=1552880
and here as well to all the Cap lovers out their:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyKqWqzHMVI
for the tail light, take it off, dry it out and get a new gasket from Mazda or make your own sealing gasket. (DO NOT DRILL HOLES IN YOUR TAIL LIGHT!)
Exactly my thoughts.
Just like the 15 year old's reaction in your video.... "capacitors. Where do I begin." This issue has been argued back and forth for a solid 10 years now (Yes I can remember having these same discussions 10 years ago).
First things first, I don't think anyone will argue that a H/O alt is the ideal solution. It is the source of all that is electrical in the car. However, they can be damned expensive. Take the RX8 for example. You priced them? They're in the $400-500 range for the bottom-end ones.
Your statement of "caps do not eliminate dimming" is false. If you have a small amount of dimming, a cap is a cheap solution for this. I've watched them fix dimming issues time and time again AND I've come in contact with that same customer nearly 2 years later, who is still enjoying the benefits. So don't jump on the caraudioforum.com bandwagon and say that it puts more stress on the alt and eventually fries it. Don't argue. Prove it to yourself. Get your hands dirty and eyes ready.
Just like the 15 year old's reaction in your video.... "capacitors. Where do I begin." This issue has been argued back and forth for a solid 10 years now (Yes I can remember having these same discussions 10 years ago).
First things first, I don't think anyone will argue that a H/O alt is the ideal solution. It is the source of all that is electrical in the car. However, they can be damned expensive. Take the RX8 for example. You priced them? They're in the $400-500 range for the bottom-end ones.
Your statement of "caps do not eliminate dimming" is false. If you have a small amount of dimming, a cap is a cheap solution for this. I've watched them fix dimming issues time and time again AND I've come in contact with that same customer nearly 2 years later, who is still enjoying the benefits. So don't jump on the caraudioforum.com bandwagon and say that it puts more stress on the alt and eventually fries it. Don't argue. Prove it to yourself. Get your hands dirty and eyes ready.
Last edited by firebirdude; Jan 13, 2010 at 08:56 PM.
Exactly my thoughts.
Just like the 15 year old's reaction in your video.... "capacitors. Where do I begin." This issue has been argued back and forth for a solid 10 years now (Yes I can remember having these same discussions 10 years ago).
First things first, I don't think anyone will argue that a H/O alt is the ideal solution. It is the source of all that is electrical in the car. However, they can be damned expensive. Take the RX8 for example. You priced them? They're in the $400-500 range for the bottom-end ones.
Your statement of "caps do not eliminate dimming" is false. If you have a small amount of dimming, a cap is a cheap solution for this. I've watched them fix dimming issues time and time again AND I've come in contact with that same customer nearly 2 years later, who is still enjoying the benefits. So don't jump on the caraudioforum.com bandwagon and say that it puts more stress on the alt and eventually fries it. Don't argue. Prove it to yourself. Get your hands dirty and eyes ready.
Just like the 15 year old's reaction in your video.... "capacitors. Where do I begin." This issue has been argued back and forth for a solid 10 years now (Yes I can remember having these same discussions 10 years ago).
First things first, I don't think anyone will argue that a H/O alt is the ideal solution. It is the source of all that is electrical in the car. However, they can be damned expensive. Take the RX8 for example. You priced them? They're in the $400-500 range for the bottom-end ones.
Your statement of "caps do not eliminate dimming" is false. If you have a small amount of dimming, a cap is a cheap solution for this. I've watched them fix dimming issues time and time again AND I've come in contact with that same customer nearly 2 years later, who is still enjoying the benefits. So don't jump on the caraudioforum.com bandwagon and say that it puts more stress on the alt and eventually fries it. Don't argue. Prove it to yourself. Get your hands dirty and eyes ready.
Thread Starter
Spinnnnnnnnnnn
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, Ontario
I have a quality battery, the dimming is only bad when I am cranking it, which I only do on the highway. I actually noticed it the most when it was snowing. If that doesn't work well then I will have to do a step 2, but I don't think that will be nessesary.
The h/o alts are very pricey.
The h/o alts are very pricey.
I have a quality battery, the dimming is only bad when I am cranking it, which I only do on the highway. I actually noticed it the most when it was snowing. If that doesn't work well then I will have to do a step 2, but I don't think that will be nessesary.
The h/o alts are very pricey.
The h/o alts are very pricey.




