Capicitors go bad?

AaronGAGT · 04-06-2003, 09:53 AM

I need to buy one, but i'm just curious if they lose their power after a while or not?

MattBatt · 04-06-2003, 10:29 AM

I know small Electrolydic Caps can dry out the electrolytes evaporate and they can explod or burn up. I don't know If big Caps are electrolytic or not.

AaronGAGT · 04-10-2003, 07:32 AM

Hmm... does anyone have a definite answer?

sound_xtreme · 04-10-2003, 08:10 AM

pretty sure they cant explode or anything like that. they MAY be able to wear out and not hold a charge anymore, but from what I thought they should last forever.

MagiLLa · 04-10-2003, 12:42 PM

i've heard before of them leaking inside contents?? doesn't the inside have like gel or something like that?

sound_xtreme · 04-10-2003, 02:43 PM

actually, yea it CAN leak.

AmIGrand · 04-10-2003, 04:51 PM

They CAN leak, they CAN explode, but they won't do either if installed properly. As for wearing out - yes, but it takes a longer time than most people keep their systems.

MattBatt · 04-12-2003, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AmIGrand
They CAN leak, they CAN explode, but they won't do either if installed properly. As for wearing out - yes, but it takes a longer time than most people keep their systems.

Sounds About right.

So IMO if you buy a new alternator it's safer, cleaner and solves the problem at it's source but is alot more expensive.

AaronGAGT · 04-12-2003, 11:46 PM

Well I'm poor and ugly... if I buy just a capacitor, w/o a better alternator, will my lights stop dimming for a couple years?

04-13-2003, 07:11 AM

Your lights will dim w/ the best of alternators'. It's not the output of your alternater that determines whether or not your lights will dimm, It's the massive power surge the bass pulls from your electrical system that makes your lights dimm. A higher output alternator will not solve that problem. A capacitor is a buffer, a resivour for power, it you will. it'll smoothe out those surges so you don't notice lights dinning, etc. Ok, I'll correct myslef here,... If your pulling over600watts RMS, then I would recomend a high output alternator WITH a capacitor.

So yes, your lights will quit dimming with a capacitor. If you buy a reputable brand, I'm sure it'll last more than a couple of years. I've seen Rockford Fosgates that are over 6 years old & still going. I have an R.F. that is close to 2 years old & it works like new.

sound_xtreme · 04-13-2003, 09:38 AM

Yea, i have seen caps on a stock charging system. 1000 watts or less with 2 1 farad caps and the lights still dim. And yes they were of a reputable brand. And, yea they should last a really long time.

But, i have seen them work but they were running a good 5 farads.

Molson · 04-13-2003, 09:59 AM

I have a 1 farad cap, and still have lights dimming. Of course my batter is tit useless cause I drained it 1 too many times.

04-13-2003, 10:32 AM

Usually, if your lights are still dimming, it's the diode in the alternator that regulates the voltage ouput. It might not be your battery.

AmIGrand · 04-13-2003, 04:26 PM

If your alternator is up to par with the current demands of the system and everything else in the vehicle, your lights will not dim. A cap will only solve the dimming problem for a few bass hits, after that it doesn't do squat if your charging system isn't providing enough power anyway. If you have a system pulling over 80 or so amps, upgrading the alternaotr should be the first step, adding an additional battery in back is an alternative that'll do more than a cap will, but the alt should come first.

Read the "low voltage/dimming lights" sticky at the top of this forum!

sound_xtreme · 04-13-2003, 07:06 PM

right now, i have a .5 farad cap on a 300 watt amp with a brand spankin new Duralast Gold alternator and my lights still dim with just a 300 watt. I also have a duralast gold 900 amp battery.

04-13-2003, 08:06 PM

You've got something wrong then. I'd start w/ the alternator.

Green99GT · 04-13-2003, 08:49 PM

how do you add the second battery to the power wire you ae running now or do you have to run a second wire. My lights never dimmed last summer and they are now. I replaced the alt and added a 2Ga wire to the alt to batt. Ohh yeah where are you going to ground this battery? Does that mean you have to cut a hole in the metal to get to the chasie(sp)

and i wasnt in the right window.....wrong place sorry

sound_xtreme · 04-13-2003, 10:40 PM

my alternator has nothing wrong with it. i had it tested and it is BRAND new. capacitors just suck. (btw, everything i listed IS underrated). Trust me I have nothing wrong with my charging system.

If you are going to add another battery I would HIGHLY recommend having it isolated so it wont kill your alternator. I know lightning audio makes some(used to sell them dunno if i still do). And as far as the ground goes, find the thickest metal on the inside or your trunk sand down paint of there is any, drill a hole, and secure ground wire bolt and nut.

sound_xtreme · 04-13-2003, 10:41 PM

also, i have already went through my stock alternator(hence the duralast gold), so I know what a bad alternator is like.

Green99GT · 04-14-2003, 04:32 AM

so does that mean i would have to run a second power wire?

04-06-2003, 09:53 AM	#1
AaronGAGT Scrap scrap! AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westland, MI Age: 38 Posts: 1,804 Vehicle: 2000 Black GT Coupe	Capicitors go bad? I need to buy one, but i'm just curious if they lose their power after a while or not?

04-06-2003, 10:29 AM	#2
MattBatt I'm An Audio Monkey AKA: Matt Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Orlando FL Age: 41 Posts: 1,015 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE Coupe	I know small Electrolydic Caps can dry out the electrolytes evaporate and they can explod or burn up. I don't know If big Caps are electrolytic or not. __________________ My car is dieing My Website "Life's big problems include the words 'Indictment' or 'Inoperable'. Everything else is small stuff."

04-10-2003, 08:10 AM	#4
sound_xtreme Modalero Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 402 Vehicle: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero	pretty sure they cant explode or anything like that. they MAY be able to wear out and not hold a charge anymore, but from what I thought they should last forever. __________________ My Alero: http://www.cardomain.com/id/sound_xtreme http://www.aleroplanet.com/album Ohio Rides

04-10-2003, 12:42 PM	#5
MagiLLa Team S.M owns Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Winnipeg Age: 35 Posts: 711 Vehicle: '00 GASE	i've heard before of them leaking inside contents?? doesn't the inside have like gel or something like that? __________________ See My Body I have Kanji letters on the hood that release special dragon power above 3700 RPM's

04-10-2003, 02:43 PM	#6
sound_xtreme Modalero Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 402 Vehicle: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero	actually, yea it CAN leak. __________________ My Alero: http://www.cardomain.com/id/sound_xtreme http://www.aleroplanet.com/album Ohio Rides

04-10-2003, 07:32 AM	#3
AaronGAGT Scrap scrap! AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westland, MI Age: 38 Posts: 1,804 Vehicle: 2000 Black GT Coupe	Hmm... does anyone have a definite answer?

04-10-2003, 04:51 PM	#7
AmIGrand Car Audio Guy AKA: Jamin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Vegas, Baby! Age: 46 Posts: 993 Vehicle: '05 Ion Redline	They CAN leak, they CAN explode, but they won't do either if installed properly. As for wearing out - yes, but it takes a longer time than most people keep their systems. __________________ Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2200 ft): 15.922 @ 86.70 MPH, stock '98 2.4 / 5 speed coupe with a K&N drop in filter and crappy tires (2.3 60's). Gone now.... R.I.P. 1993 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX W41, parted out. 2005 Pacific Blue Ion Redline, competition package, set up for SCCA Stock class, Koni Yellows/Hawk pads/Powergrid endlinks/245/40/17 BFG R1's for race day...

04-12-2003, 11:46 PM	#9
AaronGAGT Scrap scrap! AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westland, MI Age: 38 Posts: 1,804 Vehicle: 2000 Black GT Coupe	Well I'm poor and ugly... if I buy just a capacitor, w/o a better alternator, will my lights stop dimming for a couple years?

04-13-2003, 07:11 AM	#10
Joey K Guest Posts: n/a	Your lights will dim w/ the best of alternators'. It's not the output of your alternater that determines whether or not your lights will dimm, It's the massive power surge the bass pulls from your electrical system that makes your lights dimm. A higher output alternator will not solve that problem. A capacitor is a buffer, a resivour for power, it you will. it'll smoothe out those surges so you don't notice lights dinning, etc. Ok, I'll correct myslef here,... If your pulling over600watts RMS, then I would recomend a high output alternator WITH a capacitor. So yes, your lights will quit dimming with a capacitor. If you buy a reputable brand, I'm sure it'll last more than a couple of years. I've seen Rockford Fosgates that are over 6 years old & still going. I have an R.F. that is close to 2 years old & it works like new. Last edited by Joey K; 04-13-2003 at 07:15 AM.

04-13-2003, 09:38 AM	#11
sound_xtreme Modalero Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 402 Vehicle: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero	Yea, i have seen caps on a stock charging system. 1000 watts or less with 2 1 farad caps and the lights still dim. And yes they were of a reputable brand. And, yea they should last a really long time. But, i have seen them work but they were running a good 5 farads. __________________ My Alero: http://www.cardomain.com/id/sound_xtreme http://www.aleroplanet.com/album Ohio Rides Last edited by sound_xtreme; 04-13-2003 at 09:43 AM.

04-13-2003, 09:59 AM	#12
Molson Admininadian! AKA: Jim Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Great White Norf Age: 45 Posts: 3,695 Vehicle: Duramax, C10, MKZ	I have a 1 farad cap, and still have lights dimming. Of course my batter is tit useless cause I drained it 1 too many times. __________________ Sig

04-13-2003, 10:32 AM	#13
Joey K Guest Posts: n/a	Usually, if your lights are still dimming, it's the diode in the alternator that regulates the voltage ouput. It might not be your battery.

04-13-2003, 04:26 PM	#14
AmIGrand Car Audio Guy AKA: Jamin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Vegas, Baby! Age: 46 Posts: 993 Vehicle: '05 Ion Redline	If your alternator is up to par with the current demands of the system and everything else in the vehicle, your lights will not dim. A cap will only solve the dimming problem for a few bass hits, after that it doesn't do squat if your charging system isn't providing enough power anyway. If you have a system pulling over 80 or so amps, upgrading the alternaotr should be the first step, adding an additional battery in back is an alternative that'll do more than a cap will, but the alt should come first. Read the "low voltage/dimming lights" sticky at the top of this forum! __________________ Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2200 ft): 15.922 @ 86.70 MPH, stock '98 2.4 / 5 speed coupe with a K&N drop in filter and crappy tires (2.3 60's). Gone now.... R.I.P. 1993 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX W41, parted out. 2005 Pacific Blue Ion Redline, competition package, set up for SCCA Stock class, Koni Yellows/Hawk pads/Powergrid endlinks/245/40/17 BFG R1's for race day...

04-13-2003, 07:06 PM	#15
sound_xtreme Modalero Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 402 Vehicle: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero	right now, i have a .5 farad cap on a 300 watt amp with a brand spankin new Duralast Gold alternator and my lights still dim with just a 300 watt. I also have a duralast gold 900 amp battery. __________________ My Alero: http://www.cardomain.com/id/sound_xtreme http://www.aleroplanet.com/album Ohio Rides

04-13-2003, 08:06 PM	#16
Joey K Guest Posts: n/a	You've got something wrong then. I'd start w/ the alternator.

04-13-2003, 08:49 PM	#17
Green99GT Worth The Trouble?? AKA: Justin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 825 Vehicle: 99gt	how do you add the second battery to the power wire you ae running now or do you have to run a second wire. My lights never dimmed last summer and they are now. I replaced the alt and added a 2Ga wire to the alt to batt. Ohh yeah where are you going to ground this battery? Does that mean you have to cut a hole in the metal to get to the chasie(sp) and i wasnt in the right window.....wrong place sorry __________________ 18" Chrome Kronix Virus, 1,500Watts(Focal/MTX),SLP & APOC, MSD,CAI,20/35% Tint,DRL, Underbodies (2), SVP Strobes(90watt), H&R, KYB,Blazers 100watt, ceramic pads, cross drilled/slotted rotors, debadged, custom HU Plate Last edited by Green99GT; 04-13-2003 at 08:57 PM.

04-13-2003, 10:40 PM	#18
sound_xtreme Modalero Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 402 Vehicle: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero	my alternator has nothing wrong with it. i had it tested and it is BRAND new. capacitors just suck. (btw, everything i listed IS underrated). Trust me I have nothing wrong with my charging system. If you are going to add another battery I would HIGHLY recommend having it isolated so it wont kill your alternator. I know lightning audio makes some(used to sell them dunno if i still do). And as far as the ground goes, find the thickest metal on the inside or your trunk sand down paint of there is any, drill a hole, and secure ground wire bolt and nut. __________________ My Alero: http://www.cardomain.com/id/sound_xtreme http://www.aleroplanet.com/album Ohio Rides

04-13-2003, 10:41 PM	#19
sound_xtreme Modalero Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 402 Vehicle: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero	also, i have already went through my stock alternator(hence the duralast gold), so I know what a bad alternator is like. __________________ My Alero: http://www.cardomain.com/id/sound_xtreme http://www.aleroplanet.com/album Ohio Rides

04-14-2003, 04:32 AM	#20
Green99GT Worth The Trouble?? AKA: Justin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 825 Vehicle: 99gt	so does that mean i would have to run a second power wire? __________________ 18" Chrome Kronix Virus, 1,500Watts(Focal/MTX),SLP & APOC, MSD,CAI,20/35% Tint,DRL, Underbodies (2), SVP Strobes(90watt), H&R, KYB,Blazers 100watt, ceramic pads, cross drilled/slotted rotors, debadged, custom HU Plate

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