i just installed a tsunami 2 farad car. i used it as a distibution block. it has 3 neg inputs and 3 positive inputs. i wires it from the battery to the cap and then 2 wires from the cap to positive inputs on the amps. for the ground i ran a wire from the chassis to the cap then from the cap i ran 2 wires to the negative inputs on the amps. when i shut off the car, the blue power light stays on on the cap.any thoughts?

 

do you have a relay? my cap didn't and everytime i turn off the car it would still be on, so after i got one the problem was solved.

 

i searched a little on this topic and i saw people were talking about a relay. know anywhere that shows how to install? what does it do so the power wont stay on? would a place like best buy have one?

 

i recommend this relay as i have one as well in my car, http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_5287_PAC+200.html best buy won't sell one but if you go to local car audio shops for sure they will have one. but the prices there are ridiculous ($100). the link i gave you is a great place to buy from but if you find an alternative that's fine.

some info how relay works: http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/relay.htm

installing a relay is fairly simple, the person at any shop should be able to show you. i think it also comes with instructions as well.

 

sorry for asking so many questions and thanks for you help. is this something that is installed under the hood?

 

instead of the power cable going to your cap first it's going to go to the relay and from there to the cap.....so it won't have to be under the hood.

 

here is the wiring diagram of how a complete setup system should look like....sorry for the bad drawing.

 

Alot of the caps that have the "auto shutoff" feature really don't auto shutoff...might want to stay away from those.

 

the auto caps have a circuit that senses voltage change and if present it will illuminate the meter and lights. They have a timer that will shut off the display after a few minutes if no change in voltage is detected. so when you shut off your car the voltage drops since the alternator is not running and the cap display turns on, after a few minutes it should shut off automatically. I wouln't worry about it, they don't consume much power anyways since it's just a few leds.

 

your right...i went back outside and the lights and meter were off...i guess it takes a few minutes like you said... thanks for the help and the replies!!

 

i guess a 2 farad cap is different from my 15 farad cap lol

 

+1 This is how mine works.

 

mine works this way as well...but it does not have the auto-shut off feature...maybe stinger interprets this as something else other than the 5 min thing.

 

My cap's auto-shut-off played with my after market alarm's voltage sensor so that four or five minutes after leaving the car (like in the garage) the caps' light and meter would go off changing the voltage and the alarm would go off. I'd run out and kill the thing ... which would change the voltage turning the cap back on for another five minutes ... wash, rinse, repeat.



After a few times (hours!) I tore the cap out and flung it into the pile-o-parts in the garage.