I have a 1 farad capacitor that I want to install for voltage stabilization and for a future stereo ampilifer. My question is where should I phyiscally located the cap? I was thinking about the engine bay, but I'm worried the high heat will cause it to rupture. Then I thought about inside the car somehwhere,,,,like under the driver seat, but how would i get the wires from the battery to that location. Which leads me to bigger question...how does one get wires into the car from the engine bay?

Suggestions?

 

Not sure you should start off your stereo upgrade by installing a cap first. A cap is used next to last to beef up the power source if it causes voltage sag or spikes when the bass hits. The better option if that occurs is to upgrade the alternator and or use a larger battery.

Anyway, just use an existing gourment inthe fire wall to route wires or drill your own hole and use it.

 

You want your capacitor to be no more that one or two feet in cable away from your amp. So installing it in your engine bay should not be an option. You might also want to look into upgrading your big 3 if you haven't already done so.

Source: http://www.caraudiohelp.com/car_audi...stallation.htm

More info on big 3 here: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=250964

 

Thank you. I appreciate the information and links. After doing some reading, I'm going to do the big 3 instead and return the Cap.

Thanks

 

Do the Big 3 in 2 or 4 gauge if you're doing 750W or less, if you're doing more, go big and use 1/0. See my excellent write up: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=241097

 

Ive done the big 3 on 3 different cars and man, what a difference. My scion shifts smoother. My tacoma has brighter head lamps and improved throttle response, the xa I did the ground thing and it helped the radio, idle, throttle response.

I just bought 4 g pre terminal battery cables from the local auto store.

 

You say you want to install a cap.....in the engine bay.....not a good idea. If you're going for the hidden look, put it in your spare tire well.

 

Also to get some wires through the engine bay and inside ur car through the fire wal, there is a rubber type circular thing by ur gas pedal and brake pedal right above them. Just pull ur fingers through it and have someone outside the engine compartment pass u the wires and ur done, and for the position of the cap, should be somewere near the amp and prolly somewere were its ventilated but also hidden

 

I decided to nix the entire idea of using a capacitor at all. Instead I did the "big 3" grounding with some 6 gauge. (1 neg to the chassis, 1 neg to the engine block 1 pos to the alternator),

When I get my camera charged, I;ll post some pics.

Couple observations....I noticed after the project was completed. 1. Idle seems smoother and the shifting between 2nd & 3rd (Automatic Trans) is almost undectable now. 2 Headlights are brighter.

Used wire and ring connectors from Home Depot ...cost me about 10 bucks...not bad..Can't understand why official grounding kits are so expensive.