Just wondering where everyone is mounting their capacitors. Pictures would be great!

 

I do right next to my CD Changer that is mounted on the side of the trunk.
Passenger side of Trunk.

It's hidden behind a custom panel that also holds the cd changer so you won't see much but i believe you already have seen my setup

 

Mfg's recomend mounting them as close to amp as possible.

 

25 Farad LA Super Cap mounted behind the passenger side rear panel. Sorry , no pics (and no dimming head lights when the bass hits!)

 

I use a JL 500/5 so no capacitor is necessary as it has a variable/regulated power supply. But any "slash" series amp does the same thing, not just 500/5.

 

Not only that, but our headlights wont dim as they are regulated power supplies. The only thing that will dim is the interior lights. My interior lights dim, and my car jerks when the bass is hitting really hard and the volume is up. I haven't gotten around to fixing the problem, but I won't get a cap. Also I have 2 JL amps, so as far as the variable power supply goes, it doesn't appear to have a positive effect in this situation.

 

I have a bunch inside my amp on the circuit board...

 

Regulated power supplies on amps don't help with drain on your car. JL amp's won't magically reduce the load being placed on the electrical system. Instead, variable regulated power supplies on the JL amps (and other companies have some too) will allow the amps run solid even though you are proper fuc*ing your electrical system and the amps are receiving who knows what voltages (definately not a constant 12-14 volts). So it IS a positive effect in your situation, but only positive for the amp.

Caps are only supposed to supply the amp with a constant voltage. It does nothing to reduce the load your sound system is placing on your electrical system. In fact, they only ADD additional load to the system. If your interior lights are consistantly and noticeably dimming and your automatic transmission (I assume you have an auto from the sound of things) is being effected, I doubt a cap is going to help much.

 

The only ones that are in my car as well.

Gotta admit, although such a terrible waste of money, its an exceelent marketing tool for Some. I not being one of them though.

 

Here is a pic of my cap. It's used for the subwoofer amp only.



Here is a better pic giving you an idea of where it is located in the trunk.



A pic of it hidden.

 

Well thank you all-mighty amthar. I was just stating that they were not helping in terms of lights dimming. Generally that is why unknowing people add caps. To hlep with dimming lights. My comments had nothing to do with the amps performing at their specs. But you are right in that sense with the variable power supplies. I am fully aware of what needs to be done on my car. I was trying to help the other guy. Wasn't I the one schooling you when you originally came to this forum?

 

You are definitely right in stating that the average Joe thinks that adding a cap will help in reducing the dimming effects caused by straining the electrical system. A larger main battery, alternator and in some cases, a secondary battery are what are needed to improve that situation.

For the record though, I have only upgraded the main battery, added a second battery, and added a cap WITHOUT upgrading the alternator. After 2 years, I have had absolutely no problems with my 2000 watt RMS setup. I guess what i'm trying to say is that our stock alternators are adequate for most setups, which is suprising.

 

Yeah, it is surprising. I would agree that our alternators are sufficient for most setups. I have been planning an upgrade for my main battery for a while now, as well as the "big 3". I would love to just get a larger alternator and be done with it, but that is a big hassle for the amount of times I really crank my system. I will do those 2 things this summer and go from there.

 

rofl, I love you khsonic! even if the pebble has been snatched guess I misunderstood your post. and I've had a shi**y past two days so that probably didn't help either.

amthar-son is going to go wax on and wax off on his car now

 

OK, I'll let it slide this time