Help me hook up my car audio system...Please!

[speakerman39]

I might sound stupid but what is a stiffening cap? The longest I'd probably have my system up high would be around 2 hours maximum. Also, where would I get a battery isolator and how much do they usually cost?

Hi Kyle a stiffening cap helps your alternator out. It does this by storing energy and releasing it when the load demand is high. Thus, it takes more current to reproduce the low end and as such puts a strain on the alternator. Not really sure how much a battery isolator is BUT it seems they are not too expensive. Check w/Crutchfield and see how much an isolator is. Hope this helps. Have a good day Kyle.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

Hi Kyle a stiffening cap helps your alternator out. It does this by storing energy and releasing it when the load demand is high. Thus, it takes more current to reproduce the low end and as such puts a strain on the alternator. Not really sure how much a battery isolator is BUT it seems they are not too expensive. Check w/Crutchfield and see how much an isolator is. Hope this helps. Have a good day Kyle.

Is a stiffening cap a different way to name a capacitor? When I search siffening cap, thats what comes up. Also, I can't find an isolator on Crutchfield or anywhere for that matter.

 

[speakerman39]

Is a stiffening cap a different way to name a capacitor? When I search siffening cap, thats what comes up. Also, I can't find an isolator on Crutchfield or anywhere for that matter.

Yes, a stiffening cap is a capacitor. An isolator is not have to BUT it is good to have one so that you dont run both batteries down if you listen to your system by turning the key to accessory. That way when you listen w/o the vehicle running you can draw off of the dry cell battery instead of both. That way you wont need a jump.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

Yes, a stiffening cap is a capacitor. An isolator is not have to BUT it is good to have one so that you dont run both batteries down if you listen to your system by turning the key to accessory. That way when you listen w/o the vehicle running you can draw off of the dry cell battery instead of both. That way you wont need a jump.

What brand of capacitor would you recommend? I'm looking on ebay for one too...maybe I'll save a few bucks. Also, what exactly does a battery isolator do? I'm a tad confused about how it works.

 

[speakerman39]

What brand of capacitor would you recommend? I'm looking on ebay for one too...maybe I'll save a few bucks. Also, what exactly does a battery isolator do? I'm a tad confused about how it works.

Oh I suppose a Stinger Cap would be great. Basically, an isolator allows you to listen to your set-up when the engine is NOT running w/o running or draining the battery under the hood. Thus, by doing this you will be able to start your vehicle w/o needing a jump. The isolator allows you to do this otherwise when you listen to your set-up when the engine is not running you can easily run BOTH batteries down at the same time. This is why I recommend you use an isolator. Hope that you understand now. Sorry, if I confused you as at times I do myself. Have a good evening.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

My amp (finally) shipped in to my mailbox yesterday. I had a look at it and I noticed something different. It has 4-25A fuses instead of 4-20A. 25A is printed on the amp so I know it just doesn't have the wrong size of fuse. They must have just recently changed that or something.

 

[GlocksRock]

Your amp having higher rater fuses is a good thing, don't sweat it.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

I got it all hooked up and poundin' away, but theres just one problem. I bought this deck http://www.jvc.ca/en/consumer/product-detail.asp?model=KD-G430 and it wouldn't make the subs go loud even with the sub volume and volume on max with the gain on the amp on max. It seemed like the subs were at about half of what they should be. So, I borrowed a better deck http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4039_152014395_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_ProductDetailComponent from a friend and tried that. It worked like a charm with the gain on slightly over half and the sub volume at 2 out of 6 on the deck. Now, I'm thinking of taking the JVC back and getting an Alpine (as my amp is Alpine) My question is, which deck would work with keeping the lowest price in mind? Heres a list of head units to choose from http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/series-c.php?category=AV_HU

Thanks

 

[gus6464]

I got it all hooked up and poundin' away, but theres just one problem. I bought this deck http://www.jvc.ca/en/consumer/product-detail.asp?model=KD-G430 and it wouldn't make the subs go loud even with the sub volume and volume on max with the gain on the amp on max. It seemed like the subs were at about half of what they should be. So, I borrowed a better deck http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4039_152014395_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_ProductDetailComponent from a friend and tried that. It worked like a charm with the gain on slightly over half and the sub volume at 2 out of 6 on the deck. Now, I'm thinking of taking the JVC back and getting an Alpine (as my amp is Alpine) My question is, which deck would work with keeping the lowest price in mind? Heres a list of head units to choose from http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/series-c.php?category=AV_HU

Thanks

Alpine decks are great. I recently replaced my wife's kenwood excellon deck with an alpine because the ipod integration with the kenwood's just suck. You really can't go wrong with any alpine. How much you willing to spend? Any one with 2-3 preouts will work just fine. This is a nice one:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9885

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

Alpine decks are great. I recently replaced my wife's kenwood excellon deck with an alpine because the ipod integration with the kenwood's just suck. You really can't go wrong with any alpine. How much you willing to spend? Any one with 2-3 preouts will work just fine. This is a nice one:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9885

I want to spend as least as possible haha. I don't care much about all those Ipod and Bluetooth features. I just want the deck to be able to work with my subs unlike the JVC one i have right now. Would even this one work? http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDE-9881

 

[gus6464]

I want to spend as least as possible haha. I don't care much about all those Ipod and Bluetooth features. I just want the deck to be able to work with my subs unlike the JVC one i have right now. Would even this one work? http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDE-9881

It has 3 2v preouts so it will work just fine. For subs all you need is for the deck to have preouts so that you can hook up external amplifiers. Usually with decks that have 3 preouts they come with a mono preout designed specifically for the sub amp. Maybe that is why you were getting subpar sound on your JVC deck with your subs. Check to see if the deck has a mono preout. If it has 3 preouts they should be labeled front, rear, and mono/sub.

 

[Nestor]

What brand of capacitor would you recommend? I'm looking on ebay for one too...maybe I'll save a few bucks. Also, what exactly does a battery isolator do? I'm a tad confused about how it works.

Brand doesn't make a difference, as long as it has a low ESR (equivalent series resistance). All caps have an internal series resistance. In combination with the capacitance, they limit how fast it can charge/discharge during current transients. If the resistance is too high, it won't do squat for your stereo.

Don't bother with the fancy caps with lights and meters. All they do is look pretty.

A 1 farad with a sufficiently low ESR is all you need.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

Brand doesn't make a difference, as long as it has a low ESR (equivalent series resistance). All caps have an internal series resistance. In combination with the capacitance, they limit how fast it can charge/discharge during current transients. If the resistance is too high, it won't do squat for your stereo.

Don't bother with the fancy caps with lights and meters. All they do is look pretty.

A 1 farad with a sufficiently low ESR is all you need.

Thanks for the tips. I found this one on ebay. What do you guys think? http://cgi.ebay.ca/1-FARAD-20-VDC-STIFFENING-CAPACITOR-1-0-CAP-LS10-B_W0QQitemZ140145015510QQihZ004QQcategoryZ75387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[Dolby CP-200]

I’ve got an idea how about modifying the “Red Bull” cut a hole in the can fit or wield a new fitting on the top then load a large sub bass driver in it, is doable.

 

[speakerman39]

Brand doesn't make a difference, as long as it has a low ESR (equivalent series resistance). All caps have an internal series resistance. In combination with the capacitance, they limit how fast it can charge/discharge during current transients. If the resistance is too high, it won't do squat for your stereo.

Don't bother with the fancy caps with lights and meters. All they do is look pretty.

A 1 farad with a sufficiently low ESR is all you need.

Point well taken except that a digital readout will show if the load placed on the altenator is too much thus causing the voltage to dip below 12 volt. Names brands are NOT a big deal just as you said as long as it is within reason. In other words, one way or another you get what you pay for truth be told. The Alpine deck is fine BUT having a higher pre-out voltage does make a BIG difference especially where subs are concerned.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

Would this capacitor do the trick? http://cgi.ebay.ca/1-FARAD-20-VDC-STIFFENING-CAPACITOR-1-0-CAP-LS10-B_W0QQitemZ140126315496QQihZ004QQcategoryZ75387QQcmdZViewItem

$32 plus $27 for shipping isn't too bad.

 

[Wafflesomd]

Sigh... Car audio.

 

[gus6464]

Would this capacitor do the trick? http://cgi.ebay.ca/1-FARAD-20-VDC-STIFFENING-CAPACITOR-1-0-CAP-LS10-B_W0QQitemZ140126315496QQihZ004QQcategoryZ75387QQcmdZViewItem

$32 plus $27 for shipping isn't too bad.

I have a lightning audio cap. Has been working great for over 3 years now. It is also a 1 farad with a built-in distribution block.

 

[Kyle Lorenz]

I have a lightning audio cap. Has been working great for over 3 years now. It is also a 1 farad with a built-in distribution block.

How much did it cost you? Would I be saving money buying one of ebay as it'll cost me about 60 bucks?

 

[gus6464]

How much did it cost you? Would I be saving money buying one of ebay as it'll cost me about 60 bucks?

Well I paid $135 for it because it has an led screen plus the distribution block. I would say $60-$100 for a good quality cap is not bad at all.