I am in the process of installing a sub and amp in my car and I don't know how big of a capacitor I need. The amp I will be running operates at 500 watts RMS. I figure a 1 Farad capacitor is enough since it holds 1000 watts max but I'm not sure. If anyone can help me and give me some good advice I would appreciate it.

 

I wouldn't bother with getting a capacitor. It's the snake oil of the car audio scene.

 

IMO, you don't need one. I'm running 1200W, all Xtant, without a cap. Stock battery too.

 

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll run it without a cap for now and if my lights flicker than I guess I'll reevaluate the system. Thanks again guys.

 

A cap wont fix flicker problems if anything it adds to it. Add a cap and the charging system now has one extra thing to charge, the cap. If you want to get rid of flickering, upgrade either the battery to a dry cell or upgrade the alternator. Am i running a cap, yes a 15 farad alumapro one. I bought it cause Im doing shows and why the hell not run a cap it adds points. Did it help? Eh not really, but when I ran a dry cell it did wonders.