So from the little I've read most people online say capacitors are a complete waste of money while most shops recommended them (to make more money maybe?) My current installer is telling me to get one at my place of work (bestbuy) since I can get them fairly cheap:

Fosgate RFC1 - $55
Fosgate RFC1D - $65 (digital)

He is telling me to get the non-digital one because the digital one is honestly easy to break and gives no improvements over the cheaper one. What do you all think?

Sean

 

I saw over a volt drop without, .1 volt drop with. I believe in them for reasons of saving the amp.

I don't know the difference, but I would imagine the digital has no advantage.

 

get a capcell or battcap

it can release its charge in an instant like a capacitor but holds a charge like a battery so the strain is taken off of your main battery

 

I've owned the 1 farad RF digital capacitor for several years. It has never given me any problems at all. I like the digital read-out feature, because when you're running your system without the engine on, you can see how much juice is left in the battery. It gives you an idea of when to turn the car on and recharge the battery. Combine the capacitor with a quality dry cell battery, and you'll have no drain problems. That is of course, you're not running a complete power hog system...

 

I have always used capacitors. It acts like a second battery. try your system without and you might see your lights dim depending on your system power and try it with the cap. you'll be able to tell the diff. 350Zs have good altinators though which is good.

 

I have a spare battery and my volts still drop. I am looking to add a cap to hopefully resolve this issue. I would reccomend getting one anyway, but be mindful of the farad per watt rule to be sure you have enough capacitance for your prticular set up.

 

Upgrade the big 3, Don't use a cap. Lots of tutorials on Car audio forums like (sound domain, caraudioforum).

 

So you advise someone to stress their voltage regulator and allow the spikes to hit it harder rather than install a "filter" into the system to help protect the alternator.

There is no reason that caps are sold other than that they work.

 

lol, go ask how many professional installers use caps.

 

Capacitors are a waste of money.. they don't do much.. that being said i have one in my car.. i didn't know any better at the time nad kept it for show

 

If a customer refuses to install an upgraded battery and refuses to spend the money on a bigger alternator + wiring, a cap is better than nothing.

How many professional installers have taken circuits?
I disagree.

Again, it stabilized the voltage in my car to add a capacitor. The best alternative is a high draw battery, a duralast platinum has a higher amperage draw rating than any optima I've seen, almost as high as competition SPL batteries. That will be one of the next things I get (unless I find a better mid price alternative).

There are things that are "better" solutions to some, but as an example, the upgrades to alternator wiring means that the alternator gets strained more, as a result, the voltage regulator will fail earlier, hence, I decided to try to isolate the alternator as much as possible, partially through use of a cap.

 

Actually tons of them do.

It really is dependent upon the circumstances. As far as if the OP needs one or any additional electrical upgrades, one would have to know his/her exact list of equipment.

 

ummmm all of my friends that went to spring break nationals use a batcap and their team took home 3 world finals and 2 other (cant remember the damn name) first place trophies in bass boxing.


so yes, your absolutely right, professional installers dont use caps.....

 

I agree with what you have said, but the name calling was a bit much and unnecessary.

 

https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-v...ew-system.html

 

i know, it was just an ignorant statement and i was in a bad mood


im changing it, it was a little sh!tty