Will I need a capacitor?

GeoRXT

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
129
I just purchased a Sony radio, 4 infinity speakers and an Amplifier to power them up real nice. I have two brand new Interstate batteries. Its for a small 19' Angler.

Will I need a capacitor?
 

cpubud

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Messages
468
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

no it wont draw that much power to worry about needing a quick charge. the voltage drop wont be that quick.
 

GeoRXT

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
129
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

what do you need a capacitor for?
I have a capacitor in my vehicle with the system I have. Way bigger system though. Just want to make sure I wont get stranded in the middle of the ocean after thumping the radio for an hour or so with the engine off...
 

bigskiohio

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2008
Messages
882
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

capacitor in stereo system is for the stereo not car it stores power then releases it quickly to help with bass notes ,does no good in a boat unless lots of decibels is what you want. Wont help your battery.
 

bpmcl00

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
271
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

capicator is good for "crisper" bass due to the amp having immediate avaliable power, it will draw from the cap and not from the battery. caps are sometimes called "bass stiffeners" and are really only needed when power being drawn has over 500watts RMS.

they also help take the strain off the batter allowing the amp to draw from the cap and not directly from the batt.

having a cap will not help when you are listening to they system with the engine off. maybe for a short period

your best bet will be to buy a second battery and route an auxillary router switch to that to draw power from that one and save the other for cranking. both will be charged by the alternator when the engine is running.

Hope this helps
 

GeoRXT

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
129
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

capicator is good for "crisper" bass due to the amp having immediate avaliable power, it will draw from the cap and not from the battery. caps are sometimes called "bass stiffeners" and are really only needed when power being drawn has over 500watts RMS.

they also help take the strain off the batter allowing the amp to draw from the cap and not directly from the batt.

having a cap will not help when you are listening to they system with the engine off. maybe for a short period

your best bet will be to buy a second battery and route an auxillary router switch to that to draw power from that one and save the other for cranking. both will be charged by the alternator when the engine is running.

Hope this helps
Very helpful, thanks.

I have massive amps in my vehicle, maybe thats why they put it in.
 

superpop

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
869
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

You will need a Flux Capacitor. :)
 

beerfilter

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
305
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

I just purchased a Sony radio, 4 infinity speakers and an Amplifier to power them up real nice. I have two brand new Interstate batteries. Its for a small 19' Angler.

Will I need a capacitor?

No , you will not need a capacitor .

Capacitors serve to store a reserve charge , effectively giving you a little extra current when a load causes voltage draw .

For the system you have , 4 speakers ( probably 5 1/4 - 6 1/2" coaxials , you did not say..) it would be money best spent elsewhere .

IF you had a dedicated seperate amp , for powering a subwoofer or 4 , then a capacitor may help .

Keep in mind that they only store a small charge ( like a reserve tank of gas ) . They can help system output , but , only if your power supply system is allready borderline or completely inadequate for the amount of load you are drawing .

Big bass requires HUGE amounts of power , but is still a transient load .
THIS is where a cap can help , storing extra charge between these transients , holding it in reserve untill it is needed and supplying the reserve when it would otherwise cause severe voltage drop and reduced output from the system .

For most any other music in a normal listening environment , they are not a noticeable asset .

Better to spend the money on the P/S system ( alternator / batteries / wiring ..) , then spend money on a band aid , IME .

Upgrade your charging , storage , and , wiring , first . THIS is where you will reap the benefits for the current system , and , have capacity to upgrade in the future .
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

I...Just want to make sure I wont get stranded in the middle of the ocean after thumping the radio for an hour or so with the engine off...

Capacitor won't help this one bit. you need to isolate your batteries so that you are only drawing from one, leaving the other fully charged for starting.
 

Tabes117

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
181
Re: Will I need a capacitor?

I have a Kenwood stereo, 4x25 watt that runs the 4 - 6 1/2" speakers in the boat. I installed an amp, I believe 4 x 125 watt, that runs 4 Sony Exploded speakers on my tower. I run the system for hours parked on the beach and never had to switch to my second battery.
 
Top