I have a 1 Farad Monster cable Capacitor with a digital reader. I have it hooked up but the digital reader reads 0. Does that mean it is not working properly. But the ON light in ON????

 

If a meter that's supposed to indicate the voltage available to the cap, if it is showing 0 instead of, say, 13.2, I'd say that's a problem.

"Would you classify that as a launch problem or a design problem?" Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), Real Genius.

My guess is launch problem.

 

Dam if that is a problem and what is causing it??? Is it because the capacitor is dead or does it need to be re-charged??? I bought it from a member used and he said it is already charged up. But I have notice my power is not delivering on a consistant basis. I am running 1000watts into 2 12's.

 

First things first, check your ground connection. A multimeter comes in handy for this. While you're at it, use the multimeter to measure the voltage across the terminals. It could be that the digital meter is shot. Sweet ride by the way.

 

So how can I tell if the cap is working?? I don't have a multimeter to measure the voltage.

 

If it is reading 0 volts, then it is not working, meaning that there is an incomplete circuit. It is not getting power from the battery, or is not grounded properly. Get a voltmeter, I'm assuming that if your power wire was there before and you just added the cap, that your power is coming through, meaning that it's not grounded properly, try grounding to a better piece of metal. Also, how do you have the cap hooked up? Is the power run to there, then to the amp, or do you have them running in parallel?

 

Yeah the power wire from the battery and the amp power wire is all connected together to the power of the capacitor. Same goes with the ground. The funny thing is if the capacitor does not work then how come the amp is still working??? How long do caps last for anyways? I bought the cap of a member and he said it is used for only 3months so it should be still working? If the power of the cap does not work then the digi meter should not even light up and the power light is ON. So I am really confused now.

 

$10 at Harbor Freight! It's a must if you do any type of electrical work in your car. It might even be the best 10 bucks you ever spend! I keep one in each vehicle, the house and in the garage.

 

not sure how to answer your Q but your never supposed to ship a charged cap to begin with. once its charged they say you shouldnt move the thing around too much

 

If you don't have a multimeter just touch your tongue to it to see if there is any charge left.

 

 

Seriously though ed99, don't do that.
1 farad packs quite a punch, easily enough to kill you several times over. You can weld with that kind of power .

 

Awe man! You let the cat out of the bag! well, I guess we don't want anyone getting "Bundy'd" (Ted Bundy ref.)

 

Volt meter's are cheap, and VERY useful. If your cap doesn't work, PM me I have a WORKING 1.5 Farrad that i'm trying to sell for cheap, just replaced it with a 3 farrad w/ built in fuel cell

 

Thanks guys I will have it test out to see if the cap is working properly. I believe the Digitial reader is working since the light is on but at 0 Volts. So maybe the capacitor is not working. But even if the cap has not been used for around 3-4months would it be necessary to re-charge the cap before use???

 

I'd pay to see that!

 

I don't think this would cause it not to work, but I read in my cap's manual to not ground the cap at the same point as the amps. They typed it in a big bold menacing font. Find a hole nearby. Sand away the paint. Ground your cap there.

 

What happens if they are grounded together both the amp and cap??

 

At what point power wise (let's say in watts) before you need to get a cap? Or are there more variables then that?

Thansks,

Joe

 

I believe that it's 1 farrad per 500 watts. That's always been my rule. Some people say 1 farad, per 1000 watts, but I don't think it's enough. I have a 1400 watt, and when it hit real hard yesterday, I drained a 3 farad cap. So the more capacitor, the better, IMO. Optima yellow tops are a must as well.

 

Ive got 2 12s on a 1000 watt amp...no cap....absolutely no problems

 

i think it depends on the amplifiers

 

What amp are u running? And are you running 2ohms? Plus anyone know how many amps our TL alternator has?

 

RAA1000
its mono so they are 2 ohm subs in series so its running at 4 ohm...so it cuts the watts to the subs