Should I install a capacitor in my boat?

Question

I have been looking to install a stiffening capacitor in my boat so the battery and alternator don't take the full hit from the amp. Being that it is a boat and moisture is inherent, is there anything special i should do to protect my self and my boat from harm?

I guess i wasnt very clear on my situation before. I have dual 12 volt 900 cold cranking amp marine batteries with a switch allowing me to select 1, 2 or both. On both, the drop is still very noticable. I have a 200 watt head unit along with 300 watt amp bridged and driving the sub. I will be adding atleast another 600 watt amp to drive the tower speakers that are going to be added. After reading the answers so far, i think a capacitor (or two) is the way to go, but I am worried about the possiblity of it shorting with the moisture....please help.

Answer 1

I would not use a capacitor in a boat. I have a 47 foot yacht and we put a 2000 watt power inverter in ti, we just out a second bank of batteries in it. We use 200 amp hour amalgamated glass mat batteries. We have 4 of them in two banks, so there is a total of 800 amp hours. It One bank of them lets us use all of the power we want for a weak. We also have solar panels to keep them charged, as well as carry a generator for long trips, just to charge the batterys we haven't needed to use it yet. Your amp won't suck as much duce as the inverter so more battereys will fix you up

Just upgrade the batteries you have so that they have more amp hours, because amp hours on house batteries are more important than cranking amps, they only count for the engine battery

Answer 2

Hi!
I would have to agree with Dan and Innocentk.
I suggest that you forget about the capacitor and up your battery bank. Go for batteries with the greatest amp hourage that you can afford and whose sizes are compatible with your vessel's battery storage area. Possibly even consider enlarging or changing the battery storage area if that becomes necessary. Only you can decide on that, of course.
I really do think that it would be better to get yourself solar and / or wind chargers for the batteries. Just put a blocking diode between them and the batteries to prevent the batteries from discharging back to the solar panel or windcharger. You can rig them like you would an inline fuse and they cost pennies.
Nice thick cables from batteries to selector switch will help overcome the drop you are experiencing.
As for moisture, using heat sealing connectors at fittings and in the switch / fuse panel will help. As will curling a small downward loop on all wires prior to their entry to fittings to promote the running away of condensation drips.
Not sure if this is what you want to hear, but I hope it helps out.
Best regards,
Geoff
www.sailingunlimited.net

Answer 3

You could add one if you wanted, just make sure it stays dry. My dad added one to his bass boat. He built a steel box back next to the battery and put a seal-able lid on it. Kinda like the reservoir you put the fish in when out fishing.

Looks nice. He made it match the boat and even put a replaceable seat on it for and extra person when going fishing.

You also can go to your local boat store and they have water proof covers that will fit over the top for extra caution.

Answer 4

Dont bother with the capacitor, just install dual batteries...that will give you plenty of voltage to run your amp.

Answer 5

if you are using a Bosch type fuel pump (high speed electric) use a 47uf cap at the pump.to cancel pump RF noise, and twist the pump wires from solenoid to the pump.

Answer 6

yes, make sure you dont get the capacitor wet. and also add a flux-inhibitor, as long as it stays dry.

Answer 7

idk