What does a bass cap do? Do I need one?

Question

I am getting a 750.1ZX(750 watt RMS) kicker amp and wiring it for a 2 ohm load to a 12 inch L7 solobaric 4ohm dual voice coiled sub. If I need a Bass power capasitor, how do i wire it?

Answer 1

Ditto Andrew

If your alternator is 75 amperes or higher, your fine. Upgrading the "Big 3" (power wires to and from the alternator and the ground strap), will greatly help.

All a capacitor does is store electricity and release it when demanded upon. The amount they store is dependent on the source. If you put 12 volts in, you get 12 volts out.

Unlike a battery that creates voltage by a chemical reaction, capacitors only hold a charge.

WARNING: Be very careful with large electrolytic capacitors as they can hold lethal charges. Even at 12 volts, they can melt a small screwdriver in half if one is shorted across the terminals of a charged capacitor. This will also most likely destroy the cap as well.

A capacitor must be charged just before you supply power to it once installed.

It's best to install it as close to the amp as possible. You may need to get additional power and ground wire the same size you have now. Otherwise, cut the ground and power wire leaving enough room to mount it. The overall length of the ground wire should as short as possible (18" or less if possible, not critical).

Remove the fuse at the battery. If you don't have one, you need one that is rated the same as the total fuses that are on the amp. It must be no more than 18" from the battery. This fuse is really just to protect the battery (and the car from catching fire) from shorts in the power wire, nothing else.

Connect the ground from the chassis to the cap then to the amp.

Connect the the power wire (from fuse by the battery) to the cap then to the amp.

To charge the cap, get a 12v light bulb with leads. Temporarily connect the power wire from the battery to one side of the bulb (at the fuse) and connect the other side of the bulb to the wire going to the cap. The bulb will light and over a period of time (10-20 seconds) it will get dimmer. When the bulb goes out, the cap is charged. Basically, your going to put the light bulb where the fuse was.

Now you can re-install the fuse.
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IMPORTANT: Make/print a sign that states:

"WARNING: This vehicle employs a large electrolytic capacitor for the electrical/audio system. The capacitor holds a charge EVEN when disconnected. When changing the battery, remove this fuse. Take caution and charge the capacitor prior to replacing this fuse. SEVERE INJURY OR DAMAGE MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO COMPLY!"

Have a big red arrow pointing to the fuse and one of those yellow triangles with the exclamation point in the center. Laminate this sign and place it near the fuse by the battery.

Something like this:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/sparky3489/CapWarning.jpg

See my site for more info http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com

Answer 2

Bass Capacitor

Answer 3

The idea of a "bass" capacitor is a misconception; there's no such thing. Capacitors were first introduced to help stabilize an amplifier's voltage supply for sudden, brief power demands during musical transients. If they're now associated with higher subwoofer output, that's a result of marketing, not engineering; they're useless for that purpose. They also will not prevent an alternator from being overloaded by a high-powered audio system any more than an extra battery will.

Answer 4

If you make sure your power supply is providing the current needed for your system, there is no need for a capacitor. Instead of adding a cap, look into upgrading your alternator and wiring. Make sure your alt. to chassis ground is as large or larger than your wires going to the amplifiers. Same for the alt. to battery +.

Again, if you supply the amp with enough current, there is no need for a cap.

If you use a cap, it is usually inline with your +/- in between the fuse block and the amp.

Answer 5

pass finally end up a sturdy a million farad cap. this could be plenty. in case you dont, the 1st time you turn your equipment up and the bass hits, each little thing will close off on your motor vehicle. (no longer a exciting element interior the direction of the night) caps arent that high priced. its particularly nicely worth it to dish out a splash funds now than cope with the headache of it later.

Answer 6

Your cars alternator is only meant to run the lights, pumps, etc.. in your car, Now you want it to give power to your amplifier, which it simply cannot do on its own. By adding a capacitor or battery, you are increasing the power that is available to the amp. No more dimming headlights, and its hard on your alternator if you dont have a cap. They say you need a 1 farad cap per 1000 watts. I like a Kinetik HC600 every 1000watts

Mine as well get a battery if your gonna get a cap. Capacitors like to hold onto power instead of unloading it as opposed to say a yellow top optima battery.

Id look into Kinetik batteires. Their website has a calculator on it for all your questions!!

http://www.kinetikaudio.com/

Answer 7

I recommend a cap or hat of some type if your bass lives in a colder climate.Other then that,in the summer,a nice sun bonnet should be just fine.

Answer 8

get a cap. its alot cheaper then upgrading your alternator. your not running that much power anyways so a cap would do fine.