how to wire a power cap?

[SupraStar 3000]

please can anyone tell me which is the best way to wire my power cap.
(SEE ATTACHMENT - A or B)

Need to know ASAP as I need to finish the install tomorrow :(

[Whitesupraboy2]

invisable pic :blink:... ohh it there now

[JustGav]

B

You want the cap as close to amp as possible, and as little resistance as possible...

You wire the cap directly to the amp

[The Hornet]

Either way really as long as its as close to the amp as possible

[SupraStar 3000]

but isn't that 'A'.

i'm confused :(

Guy at my local audio shop says 'A' and so does my a mate but instructions on the cap say 'B'.

[Whitesupraboy2]

i had mine wired up as A, but this was on small system. Coz with A your taking ALL power through the cap. and im sure i read somewhere this not ideal (ill hunt for article) as cap is meant to be for spikes. Matt harwood will prob spot this thread soon and make me and others look stupid and tell you what really it should be :D

[Mad Hatter]

simple ...

BAT => CAP => AMP

put earths where ever you like, as the lads say have it as close to the amp as pos but you don't need it to be touching lol just not at the wrong end of the car lol couple of feet away is fine, given that most amps run from the batt at the front of the car ! a CAP is basically a UPS for a server ...

[JustGav]

a CAP is basically a UPS for a server


Erm... oh no way in hell are you coming near my racks at work..... *grin*

A Cap is nothing like a UPS...

A cap is capable of storing instantaneous charge... so it provides the smoothing during those transitions when the chemical reaction in the battery is not quick enough and you end up with a small dip in voltage.

It isn't capable of providing any long term power..

The closer you are to the amp the less resistance will be encountered through the wiring... you don't want to be putting a fuse between the cable or you will be adding extra resistance which will in turn discharge the capacitor just that little bit more.


Gav

[SupraStar 3000]

excellent info guys. Thank you ;)

Gav, I had the same conversation with my mate regarding adding a fuse betweem the cap and amp and you've confirmed what I thought ;) Cheers mate

[The Hornet]

Yup Gav is correct. I have my power cable from my battery running into a zero guage distribution block in the boot. I use one port off this block for the CAP and the other 3 outputs for the amps. Realistically I need another CAP as mine is only a 1 farad and I could do with 2 farads plus an alternator upgrade would be nice when funds allow :D

Just keep the cables short as poss matey.

[SupraStar 3000]

Cheers Hornet,

Thanks again for all the help guys.
I appreciate it :)

Havn't really got a choice where to fix the cap as space is at a minimal but I'm sure the cable used will be short, besides... I only have 2m left of the 4 gauge power. Damn expensive isn't it :(

[SupraStar 3000]

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