5th gen Accord w/ 2 12" subs & 500W amp - Do I need a CAPACITOR?? - Honda-Acura.net

gkolleng · 06-17-04, 06:48 PM

Hey guys,

I have 2 Rockford Fosgate 12" subs in a box and a Fosgate 500W amp that I am going to get installed in my 5th gen Accord. Someone was telling me that this is going to put a lot of stress on my alternator, and since my car is 1995 and on the older side, it is going to wear out my alternator. My friend suggested that I get a capacitor installed as well.

What do you guys think about that? Is it a good idea?

Thanks,
Gopal

vtecaccord01 · 06-17-04, 07:15 PM

yea get it. You may want to upgrade you battery to an optima also since you have a system.

Surfacing171 · 06-17-04, 08:25 PM

psshhhh.....with that equipment def. not. Unless you seen signs of your alternator crapping out your fine.

iknack · 06-17-04, 10:50 PM

like you say you're powering only one amp, then it shouldn't be a problem!!!
maybe your 2 12s might require more than 500 watts......lol

mizturyous · 06-18-04, 12:14 AM

A cap or battery is not going to do much for that anyway. If anything you would need a higher amp output alternator. if the alternator isn't strong enough to keep the battery or capacitor charged properly neither will really help. If you see signs of voltage dropping in your car while playing your system then you would need to check into a new one. Check to see what the amplifiers amperage draw rating is also. Thi will help in determining what you are going to need.

VRGNCD5 · 06-18-04, 12:34 AM

I'd get a high output alternator before getting a cap.

SmutWanter · 06-18-04, 02:04 AM

Does your headlights dim to the sound of the music? If so, then yes you will need a capacitor (probably a full farad). I had the same problem too, and the capacitor did the trick, and is much cheaper than a higher powered alternator. It's not like you are running that much power to your subs since your amp is only 500 watts, unless you have the subs bridged on your amp.

gkolleng · 06-18-04, 02:45 AM

Thanks guys, I agree with the general theme. I don't think a 500 watt amp should be taht much, so I'm hoping I can get away without the capacitor. I guess I'll add it later if I see signs of my alternator going downhill.

mizturyous · 06-19-04, 11:01 PM

A capacitor will not stop your alternator from going out in the case of too much amp draw. Just hook it up and see how your cars electrical system does overall with it playing and your lights,AC, or whatever on to see what kind of strain it is going to put on your car. Try using a multimeter on your battery while doing so and see what your voltage drops to. If it goes below 11.5 or so you may want to look further into other options. It will be better on your car and your system in the long run.

VRGNCD5 · 06-20-04, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizturyous

A capacitor will not stop your alternator from going out in the case of too much amp draw. Just hook it up and see how your cars electrical system does overall with it playing and your lights,AC, or whatever on to see what kind of strain it is going to put on your car. Try using a multimeter on your battery while doing so and see what your voltage drops to. If it goes below 11.5 or so you may want to look further into other options. It will be better on your car and your system in the long run.

I look at it like this, a good cap will run you $100-$150, a high output alternator will run prolly $200-$250, the cap MIGHT take care of the problem, the HO Alternator WILL take care of the problem. Seems like a no brainer to me.

gkolleng · 06-20-04, 02:20 PM

Yup, I see what you're saying. Thanks for all the info guys.

VRGNCD5 · 06-20-04, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkolleng

Yup, I see what you're saying. Thanks for all the info guys.

no problem, now do the right thing

lowlifestylez · 06-20-04, 08:36 PM

If i were you i would go with the alternator as well, a friend of mine had a cap and it didnt do sqwat for him

gkolleng · 06-21-04, 02:11 AM

Just in case, do you guys have any recommendations on High Output Alternators? Like which brands, types are good?

**rcurley55** · 06-21-04, 01:52 PM

make sure you upgrade the factory grounds too...

brand0n · 07-09-04, 06:28 PM

PSHAW who needs a cap?!?! i dont have one in my prelude and im pushing a bp1200.1 almost constantly... i mean im sure it has nothing to do with my headlight bulbs only lasting me days at a time

profuse007 · 07-21-04, 02:41 PM

no need for capacitor!!!!

**rcurley55** · 07-21-04, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profuse007

no need for capacitor!!!!

and no need to bump a two week old thread

profuse007 · 07-21-04, 03:04 PM

lol, didnt look. damn this site must have gone really slow!!!

AnTbizzo · 07-21-04, 07:09 PM

Cap can be good for short term power demand for about 1 hr or so before it is drained, but in the long run upgrade your alternator and battery if possible.

mizturyous · 07-22-04, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnTbizzo

Cap can be good for short term power demand for about 1 hr or so before it is drained, but in the long run upgrade your alternator and battery if possible.

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??
1hr before it is drained..........a cap will charge itself almost instantly and unless disconnected it will not drain itself completely9below what the car battery is) since it is hooked to the charging system/battery of the car anyway.

AnTbizzo · 07-22-04, 02:38 PM

what i mean was that it gets drained and has to be recharge and then ur still drawing more current from ur battery and alternator

06-17-04, 06:48 PM	#1
gkolleng Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 39	5th gen Accord w/ 2 12" subs & 500W amp - Do I need a CAPACITOR?? Hey guys, I have 2 Rockford Fosgate 12" subs in a box and a Fosgate 500W amp that I am going to get installed in my 5th gen Accord. Someone was telling me that this is going to put a lot of stress on my alternator, and since my car is 1995 and on the older side, it is going to wear out my alternator. My friend suggested that I get a capacitor installed as well. What do you guys think about that? Is it a good idea? Thanks, Gopal

06-17-04, 07:15 PM	#2
vtecaccord01 Performance isn't $$$ Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Then I would have to kill you! Posts: 1,260	yea get it. You may want to upgrade you battery to an optima also since you have a system. __________________ I own a 5th gen sedan! The plan doesn't fail you, you fail the plan.

06-18-04, 12:14 AM	#5
mizturyous Terd Furgeson Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ringgold, GA/ Chattanooga Posts: 502	A cap or battery is not going to do much for that anyway. If anything you would need a higher amp output alternator. if the alternator isn't strong enough to keep the battery or capacitor charged properly neither will really help. If you see signs of voltage dropping in your car while playing your system then you would need to check into a new one. Check to see what the amplifiers amperage draw rating is also. Thi will help in determining what you are going to need. __________________ If you are flammable and have legs............you are never blocking a Fire Exit. -m.h.

06-18-04, 02:04 AM	#7
SmutWanter "Made to Please" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 391	Does your headlights dim to the sound of the music? If so, then yes you will need a capacitor (probably a full farad). I had the same problem too, and the capacitor did the trick, and is much cheaper than a higher powered alternator. It's not like you are running that much power to your subs since your amp is only 500 watts, unless you have the subs bridged on your amp. __________________ R.I.P. ACCORD 2.2L That are Ripping up Philly Streets! Currently Own:1990 Nissan 240SX SE Hatchback 5spd 88k Next on the list: ACURA TSX.

06-19-04, 11:01 PM	#9
mizturyous Terd Furgeson Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ringgold, GA/ Chattanooga Posts: 502	A capacitor will not stop your alternator from going out in the case of too much amp draw. Just hook it up and see how your cars electrical system does overall with it playing and your lights,AC, or whatever on to see what kind of strain it is going to put on your car. Try using a multimeter on your battery while doing so and see what your voltage drops to. If it goes below 11.5 or so you may want to look further into other options. It will be better on your car and your system in the long run. __________________ If you are flammable and have legs............you are never blocking a Fire Exit. -m.h.

06-17-04, 08:25 PM	#3
Surfacing171 cb7 fanatic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gulfport MS Posts: 927	psshhhh.....with that equipment def. not. Unless you seen signs of your alternator crapping out your fine.

06-17-04, 10:50 PM	#4
iknack Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: TX Posts: 40	like you say you're powering only one amp, then it shouldn't be a problem!!! maybe your 2 12s might require more than 500 watts......lol

06-18-04, 12:34 AM	#6
VRGNCD5 cause it's tight! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: 916 Posts: 8,025	I'd get a high output alternator before getting a cap.

06-18-04, 02:45 AM	#8
gkolleng Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 39	Thanks guys, I agree with the general theme. I don't think a 500 watt amp should be taht much, so I'm hoping I can get away without the capacitor. I guess I'll add it later if I see signs of my alternator going downhill.

06-20-04, 02:20 PM	#11
gkolleng Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 39	Yup, I see what you're saying. Thanks for all the info guys.

06-20-04, 08:36 PM	#13
lowlifestylez Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 13	If i were you i would go with the alternator as well, a friend of mine had a cap and it didnt do sqwat for him __________________ Low Lifestyles

06-21-04, 02:11 AM	#14
gkolleng Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 39	Just in case, do you guys have any recommendations on High Output Alternators? Like which brands, types are good?

06-21-04, 01:52 PM	#15
rcurley55 Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SF, CA Posts: 774	make sure you upgrade the factory grounds too... __________________ *Life is too short not to be M-Powered!*

07-09-04, 06:28 PM	#16
brand0n Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 73	PSHAW who needs a cap?!?! i dont have one in my prelude and im pushing a bp1200.1 almost constantly... i mean im sure it has nothing to do with my headlight bulbs only lasting me days at a time

07-21-04, 02:41 PM	#17
profuse007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46	no need for capacitor!!!!

07-21-04, 03:04 PM	#19
profuse007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 46	lol, didnt look. damn this site must have gone really slow!!!

07-21-04, 07:09 PM	#20
AnTbizzo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9	Cap can be good for short term power demand for about 1 hr or so before it is drained, but in the long run upgrade your alternator and battery if possible.

07-22-04, 02:38 PM	#22
AnTbizzo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9	what i mean was that it gets drained and has to be recharge and then ur still drawing more current from ur battery and alternator

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