Deciding on a car capacitor might not be as easy as one thinks it to be. To decide whether you need one or not, you first need to know what a capacitor does for your car audio. Even though it has many functionalities, the device is not without drawbacks. We have discussed both sides of the coin and given you an all-in-one view to find out the best for you.
There are many myths about the helpfulness of the capacitor. To debunk those myths, we will start by seeing what a capacitor is and what it does for a car audio system.
Table of Contents
What Is A Car Audio Capacitor?
The car capacitor is designed as a power buffer, and it can deliver current instantaneously. But compared to a battery, it holds a lesser amount of current and for a short period of time.
Playing power-hungry base notes and listening to music on loudspeakers require a tremendous amount of power. Even though the car battery supplies power for such activity, it can not keep up with the sudden rise in power demand. In such cases, a capacitor can better handle peak audio demands.
What Is Capacitance?
Capacitance is a measurement of a capacitor's power-holding capability. It measures how much electric charge a capacitor can store when a specific voltage is applied across its terminals. The unit for measuring capacitance is Farads (F). For car audio capacitors, you will find capacitors ranging from 1F and above.
When Do You Need A Capacitor?
The moment when you should go for a car audio capacitor really depends on your usage and electrical system. A capacitor complements your car's power source. Now, you have to understand how you can best complement your car's electrical energy using a capacitor.
If you are facing gradual voltage drops, it means your car is not producing or storing enough power. In such cases, you will see your headlight deeming and disturbance in audio while playing bass notes.
When the issue is in power generation, you should consider upgrading your alternator.
But, if your alternator is powerful, then you should upgrade either your battery or capacitor. We have a detailed guide on when you need a second battery for car audio. You can look up to that for step-by-step instructions. As for now, keep in mind that a second battery is only required if you run your car audio when the engine is off.
If you are still facing the same problems after having a decent alternator and battery setup, then you should go for a capacitor. The capacitor is placed near the amplifier so that it can rapidly power up your amplifier with minimum resistance. In this way, you can avoid voltage drops in your car audio.
Does Capacitor Improve Audio Performance?
It is a very common misconception that people think capacitors can magically increase their car's audio performance. But that is not the case.
Your car's audio performance depends on the audio components, but the capacitor is not one of them. The capacitor saves the amplifier from the impact of voltage drop. If you are facing a voltage drop, as we have already discussed, then installing a capacitor will help the amplifier to give its best performance.
But, without an external power issue, a capacitor is of no use, and adding it will not improve the quality of your audio performance. If your problem is audio quality, then you should upgrade your audio components like amplifier, speaker, subwoofer, equalizer, etc.
What to Look for in A Capacitor?
A car capacitor is crucial for your car's audio performance, and you should be careful in buying one. Now, have a look at the things you should keep in mind when buying a capacitor.
- LED Display and Voltage Monitoring: A capacitor with an LED display will show you the real-time voltage of the capacitor. You will be able to identify voltage drops without any additional gear.
- Warning Tones and Alerts: It can notify you with an alarm whenever the capacitor is about to see a low voltage or other issues. This is a useful feature in preventing damage due to voltage fluctuations.
- Quick Charging Feature: Typically, larger batteries take more time to recharge. But batteries with quick charging ability can charge your capacitor a lot faster.
- Quality and Brand Reputation: Before making your final purchase, do thorough market research to find out the reputed manufacturers of the market. A purchase from them will guarantee you longevity.
- Compatibility and Installation: The device should be compatible with your car and integrate seamlessly.
You may look out for other components and aesthetics according to your preference. But, they are the basic things you should obviously consider.
The Drawbacks of The Capacitor
When the engine is on, the alternator powers your car's electrical system along with the battery, amplifier, capacitor, etc. All of them are some sort of load that adds an extra burden on the alternator. This means the more load you have in your system, the more your alternator has to recharge.
While a battery and amplifier are a must for your audio system, the capacitor is not. The capacitor draws a significant amount of current from your alternator to recharge itself. It temporarily drops the voltage, reduces the amount of current available for the amplifier to function moderately, and affects its performance.
A capacitor can not supply power for an extended period of time. It can store only a limited amount of charge. If your system requires continuous high-power output, adding a capacitor is useless. Then, you should explore other options, like improving your alternator or adding a second battery.
Final Words
Not everyone needs a capacitor in their car audio system. Before purchasing one, see what it can do for your unique car audio setup. Rather than buying one, you can borrow one from your friends or neighbors to see if you really need one. This way, you can check if installing a capacitor solves your voltage drop issues.
And, if you buy one, look for the optimum size and type for the setup. Do not compromise with the quality, as a malfunctioning capacitor will grill your electrical setup. Hope this article mitigates your queries and helps you understand the need for a capacitor.