noob question about battery capacitors...
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noob question about battery capacitors...
ok well i am about to put my playstation 2 in my wrx and i am told by some to get a battery cap and some people say i am not pushing enough power to need one. The scenario of what i currently have in there is a Pyle 7in. Mechanical screen,Pyle DVDPlayer, 600 watt amp Acousonic (whatever the name is), two 10 inch subs in the trunk,stock speakers all around and soon will be the playstation 2 with the 400 watt ac converter. I want to make it a clean install so i dont want to use the cig lighter option cuz i dont need wires running around my console or having to unplug and plug it in everytime it will be in use. I dont think i understand the true use of the battery cap. Is it power which will allow a person more time to power stuff when the car is off and not using the alternater? I am just wondering cuz i would like to play it as i wait like 30 minutes or so in between college classes in my car without having to start my car and have it idle. Thanks for any help.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,646
From: NYC
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
The purpose of the capacitor is to help with peak current demands such as bass hits by storing some reserve power. It is not like a battery and can't run anything by itself, and won't be of any help when running your stuff with the engine off. A cap is not a substitute for an adequate electrical system, and you may be able to accomplish much of the same thing for less cost by upgrading the ground wiring and positive alternator cable.
As for batteries, if you plan to run your high-power system or accessories for long periods with the engine not running, you should consider replacing the stock battery with an Optima Yellow Top which can tolerate deep discharge without damage. Even an Optima Red Top is an option as it can also take some deep cycling, although not as much as a Yellow.
Adding a second battery is only an option if you install a higher output alternator as it will have to charge both batteries simultaneously. You also would need an isolator to electrically separate the starting/ignition battery from the auxiliary/accessory one. This is not worth the effort and expense in most cases.
As for batteries, if you plan to run your high-power system or accessories for long periods with the engine not running, you should consider replacing the stock battery with an Optima Yellow Top which can tolerate deep discharge without damage. Even an Optima Red Top is an option as it can also take some deep cycling, although not as much as a Yellow.
Adding a second battery is only an option if you install a higher output alternator as it will have to charge both batteries simultaneously. You also would need an isolator to electrically separate the starting/ignition battery from the auxiliary/accessory one. This is not worth the effort and expense in most cases.
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ok well just had the ps2 installed with a switch for the amp and the ac converter with a fuse. So i put the amp and the 400 watt converter side by side under passenger seat,it is a tight fit but was told it will be fine. I just need to shut the ps2 off by the converter switch so it doesnt drain my battery. I want to get a capacitor still but they told me dont worry about it cuz its not needed for a 600 watt amp and a ps2,just said to keep car running when playing. It works great though,had to test it out with some twisted metal. But being paranoid as i am,i want to know the output of the 2002 stock wrx alternator and how much all my devices r requesting from it. Can anyone help me on that?
Last edited by Vidiotgamer; Aug 27, 2004 at 08:47 PM.
you should be fine with the current setup.
unless you like the play with loud levels.
remember, a 600 watt amp, at theory, will pull 50 amps (600/12 volts). but that's at the max output and you are playing a sinewave through it.
what's the fuse on the amp. like a 30-40 amp one? then add the fuse on the ac/dc converter.
so add up all the fuses' values. then take about 50-60% and that's like your "running" total.
now add the circuits in the car that you are using. add those also...
but then, the output of your alternator, say 60-80 amps, that is also when you are optimum freeway enging speeds.
so when at idle, the alternator may be spitting out 1/3 to 1/4 of that...
it's all a balance act.
btw, here's my chart for deciding higher output alt or second batt:
if you like to run with the engine off, second batt.
if you like to run with the engine on, HO alt.
if you have more than 1000 watts, consider both.
btw, good upgrade is to get an optima battery...
unless you like the play with loud levels.
remember, a 600 watt amp, at theory, will pull 50 amps (600/12 volts). but that's at the max output and you are playing a sinewave through it.
what's the fuse on the amp. like a 30-40 amp one? then add the fuse on the ac/dc converter.
so add up all the fuses' values. then take about 50-60% and that's like your "running" total.
now add the circuits in the car that you are using. add those also...
but then, the output of your alternator, say 60-80 amps, that is also when you are optimum freeway enging speeds.
so when at idle, the alternator may be spitting out 1/3 to 1/4 of that...
it's all a balance act.
btw, here's my chart for deciding higher output alt or second batt:
if you like to run with the engine off, second batt.
if you like to run with the engine on, HO alt.
if you have more than 1000 watts, consider both.
btw, good upgrade is to get an optima battery...
lemme just add, adding a 2nd batt isnt as simple as bolting in a new batt and tying it into the system.
generally, you want to get 2 batts of the same age, same type, same everything. cause when you connect 2 batt together, one will always be lower than the other. and since they want to be equal, one will suck power from the other. then the other will wanna do the same.
soon, both batts will die of a slow death.
simplest way is to add a battery isolator, which is nothing but a big capacity DIODE. so both batts never 'see' each other.
better management is something like this:
http://hellroaring.com/bic75150.htm
generally, you want to get 2 batts of the same age, same type, same everything. cause when you connect 2 batt together, one will always be lower than the other. and since they want to be equal, one will suck power from the other. then the other will wanna do the same.
soon, both batts will die of a slow death.
simplest way is to add a battery isolator, which is nothing but a big capacity DIODE. so both batts never 'see' each other.
better management is something like this:
http://hellroaring.com/bic75150.htm
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hmm..
Well i am just going to orget the 2nd battery idea cuz to much trouble for what its worth. I guess i will have to leave my car idling for like 30 minutes to play ps2,lol. Mainly got it for waiting long boring inbetween moments of college classes. I dont think i really need a cap now that i think about it cuz i really dont listen to rap and my base speakers dont hit hard enough to even dim any lights. I had the suby idling for 5 minutes as i played some ps2 but like i said,i dont really kno if that is hurting my alternator or not. My friends that helps me isntalled it said dont even worry about it cuz a ps2 and the tv is not enough to even take the alts. resources even at idle,he just said dont be cranking the subs and ill be fine. Kind of sad though cuz its cool have a ps2 in there but kind of usless to the drive which is me 
. Ah well noneoftheless,still a cheap cool mod. OH, and reguarding the fuse thing,i bought the best fuse box and fuses money can buy. I got 2 fuses,one in the wire that is comign from the battery to the 600 watt amp and then one is in between the amp and the ac converter. Funny thing was my friend stress to me that ALWAYS turn the switch off on the ac converter or my car will be dead,lol.
. Ah well noneoftheless,still a cheap cool mod. OH, and reguarding the fuse thing,i bought the best fuse box and fuses money can buy. I got 2 fuses,one in the wire that is comign from the battery to the 600 watt amp and then one is in between the amp and the ac converter. Funny thing was my friend stress to me that ALWAYS turn the switch off on the ac converter or my car will be dead,lol.
Originally Posted by Gleb83
I am not sure about the playstation but the general consencus is 1000 watts need .5 farads. Also make sure to have good ground on all your equipment.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 361
From: ghettos of malibu, yo
You can save A LOT of power by ditching that DC/AC inverter. The PS2 converts AC to 12V DC anyways, so you could just hook it straight up to the power supply by modifying it. This is what I'm planning on doing (see thread below this), but I'm still trying to figure out where I should draw Power, ACC, etc, as well as wire gauges. I think ~14 AWG should be OK, no?
The playstation only draws about 3 amps, so not much if you go w/out the inverter. You'll need a linear voltage regulator to since car batteries actually get about 14.4V when turned on.
Here's a writeup I found on the net: http://asdffdsa.net
(go to projects/mods, then ps2 project)
One issue that this guy didn't really think about was that, when the car is off, it's hard to get 12V out of a 12V source, you'd end up with more like 11.5V. Apparently it doesn't cause any problems.
The playstation only draws about 3 amps, so not much if you go w/out the inverter. You'll need a linear voltage regulator to since car batteries actually get about 14.4V when turned on.
Here's a writeup I found on the net: http://asdffdsa.net
(go to projects/mods, then ps2 project)
One issue that this guy didn't really think about was that, when the car is off, it's hard to get 12V out of a 12V source, you'd end up with more like 11.5V. Apparently it doesn't cause any problems.
Last edited by dorrington; Aug 28, 2004 at 04:48 PM.
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ok well i did some testing and...
Ok well the i found a falw in the setup which gets me to think i need to go get a battery capacitor. I let my car idle for 30 minutes as i was playing ps2 for that time and everything was awesome BUT as i was playing a game and the car fan clicked on once again after many previous times that idle session and the ps2 died but not the inverter,it was quite odd but i checked to make sure everything was properly ventilated which was confirmed to be fine. I am thinking that it needs a battery capacitor because thereis just to much running and after 30 minutes, it was down to its last amps at an idle state and once the car fan clicked on,it took it from the ps2 and that was it. What do u guys think and which capacitor should i pick up?
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From: Knee deep in beer. subabrew crew, ca.
Car Info: MY04 aspen wrx wagon.
I run 800 total watts...two amps. 1 10 inch sub. PS2 and a screen.
I get flicker city. I mean when my system starts to hit...my lights dim...all of them...to an embarassing level.
I've never had my PS2 or xbox cut off.....son of a...just realized I left my xbox at my girlfriends house...or should I say..my buddies xbox...shoot.
anyways.... never had that much power soak...but I don't play the systems too often...i always have the car running when I do..i tried it out last night for like 15 minutes I played halo with the system on...bass and the whole bit...no problems at all. car not running.
if I were you I'd make sure that your system is set up right and the stuff is actually shutting down and not continuously draining your batter.
That and get a new battery.
I have a 1 farat cap that I'd like to get in soon. But I think I'm gonna get a yellow top first...see if that helps.
freakin bass distorts sometimes cause I don't have all the power I need.....and I usually listen to punk..with the bass **** at like...25%.
I get flicker city. I mean when my system starts to hit...my lights dim...all of them...to an embarassing level.
I've never had my PS2 or xbox cut off.....son of a...just realized I left my xbox at my girlfriends house...or should I say..my buddies xbox...shoot.
anyways.... never had that much power soak...but I don't play the systems too often...i always have the car running when I do..i tried it out last night for like 15 minutes I played halo with the system on...bass and the whole bit...no problems at all. car not running.
if I were you I'd make sure that your system is set up right and the stuff is actually shutting down and not continuously draining your batter.
That and get a new battery.
I have a 1 farat cap that I'd like to get in soon. But I think I'm gonna get a yellow top first...see if that helps.
freakin bass distorts sometimes cause I don't have all the power I need.....and I usually listen to punk..with the bass **** at like...25%.
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oh cool
well i did have the car idling when the ps2 shut off on me. Not sure if being under the seat would make the ps2 overheat or not but it has as much air as in my room so i dont c that being a problem, I have a bigger battery in my car but perhaps not big enough. The funny thing was when the ps2 died,i turned it back on and it came on no problem,very odd.