I've always said capacitors don't do anything good, except look cool, but I came across a good video showing how they actually reduce power to your amp. Since nothing is 100% thermodynamically efficient, they're drawing some power just sitting there, so that's more overall work for your amplifier, but this video also explains why "they fixed my headlight dimming" stories are proof of them *not* working as advertised. Those headlights stay brighter because the capacitor is leaving more power on the other side of the amplifier by essentially being a bottleneck.

 

This is an interesting study. Only thing is, don't most people add these to stop alternator whine?

 

Good info

 

meh......I think it would be better if this experiment was performed on an actual car audio setup.

 

It would be a lot less scientific, more variables to account for, so it wouldn't be a "better" experiment, scientifically speaking. However, it might be better at convincing some if, in addition to the actual electrical measurements (which unequivocally prove it to those who take such measurements as the facts they are) they included one where they hook up a sub and measure decibel output with and without the capacitor installed. They could quite possibly even use a stick attached to the subwoofer cone to measure maximum excursion with and without the cap.

 

I understand the importance of a controlled environment but it would be more realistic since those other variables are just as relevant IMO. I'm not advocating for capacitors, I just don't agree with the way this test was done.