Stiffening capacitors in boats?

(05mobiuslsv) · (05mobiuslsv) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 03-03-2007, 2:52 PM

Are they needed? Does anyone run them?

(audiopro74) · (audiopro74) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 03-03-2007, 3:26 PM

They can't hurt. I have put a few in, and they tend to help with spikes, and dips.

(tuneman) · (tuneman) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-05-2007, 9:24 AM

What amps do you have?

(clayton191) · (clayton191) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 03-05-2007, 9:33 AM

I'm trying to find a pro audio quality one... Anyone have brand suggestions?

(clubmyke) · (clubmyke) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 03-05-2007, 9:37 AM

good for tower speakers and demanding loads..

i run streetwires... in talking with the local high end shop, there is no difference between a alumapro/batcap/standard cap..like anyting ymmv

(05mobiuslsv) · (05mobiuslsv) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 03-05-2007, 9:41 AM

I've got a kicker 850.4, kicker 700.5, and a another class d mono amp.

(xaggie) · (xaggie) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 03-05-2007, 9:47 AM

I'm using a Memphis Audio Cap on my
non-regulated PS JL amps. Don't know if I can tell a difference but I don't imagine it can hurt, and it looks pretty sharp. I've got an extra one if anyone is interested.

(Message edited by xaggie on March 05, 2007)

(tparider) · (tparider) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 03-05-2007, 9:56 AM

Matt -

do you have any pics of the memphis cap? How much do you want for it?

(tuneman) · (tuneman) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 03-05-2007, 10:14 AM

I don't believe any Kicker amps have regulated power supplies, so the cap may help a little. However, a second battery will help WAAAY better than any cap can.

(norcalmalibu) · (norcalmalibu) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 03-05-2007, 11:25 AM

from what I have read on a couple different forms is that if your system is already lacking on power and having a problem keeping up adding a cap will only make it worse.

Most people say caps are a waste of money.

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 03-05-2007, 11:59 AM

I second that caps are not worth the money. See big 3

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152355

(05mobiuslsv) · (05mobiuslsv) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 03-05-2007, 12:50 PM

Well I've got 3 batteries on the boat (blue tops). Just wondering if anyone had/is using them.

(pickle311) · (pickle311) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 03-05-2007, 1:41 PM

I have a Stinger cap in my boat just because I had it sitting there collecting dust, but for the most part caps are a waste of money, you don't need it. Spend that money on another battery. Also, there's only 2 or 3 companies that make capacitors. They supply them to all the other companies that repackage and lable them.

(pjdave) · (pjdave) **Join Date: Oct 2002** 03-06-2007, 11:29 PM

We have 2, 1 farad stinger caps in our boat system. Watch the volt meter spike when the bass hits without them!

We only run two deep cycle marine batterys

(chas) · (chas) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 03-07-2007, 6:55 AM

Lots of $$$$$ but it works

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/product_details.asp?cat_id=5&series_id=40&family_i d=87&item_id=108311&locale=en_US&p_status=

(yosquire) · (yosquire) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 03-07-2007, 2:36 PM

$524.99 for a 10 farad Fosgate capacitor.

Why not spend an extra $524 on Amplifiers, you'll get more results putting your money there than in capacitors.

(jc245) · (jc245) **Join Date: Jan 2007** 03-07-2007, 3:29 PM

If you really want capacitors, go look at your local electronics surplus/junk shop (im sure there are some online as well) I picked up a grocery sack full of 900 microfarad (you want a couple farads? put a few in parallel!!) caps with a 5% toleance that had near zero leakage for $10. These were Mallory cap banks for some large computer power supply. Good place to look is in old commercial radio gear also. I have had a 900 across each amp and 2 900's across my big amp for several years now. Never a problem and cost me only the $10!! They don't have cool labels or LED's on top, but they work as well or better than those multi-hundred dollar caps!!