How do you know if you need a Capacitor?

[eguiyab]

Hey Guys,

As the title states... how do you know? Its a highly debated topic for sure, with many opinions.

I've run into some electrical gremlins lately and cant seem to pin it down to a single or actual cause. Been getting intermittent Battery Lights, and long story short ended up getting a new alternator and battery.

Mind you that both alternator and battery are only 6months old, as I had a total electrical shut down in February. Im sure the alternator was due, as it was still the original stock one, as was the battery (6years old)
Got a new(rebuilt) alternator and EXIDE Sub Zero battery.

Did fine till lately when the whole battery light issue started.

HOWEVER, I did add a new 4ch amp in May/June ish since the new alternator. - Could this be a cause of my latest issue?

Either way, I've got a new alternator. As far as I know its rebuilt also.... and a new battery. A Optima RedTop 35.
I dont wanna go down this road again, so I was curious if adding a Capacitor for the audio might ease the load on the electrical system. There is a high suspicion that it was the battery that crapped out, as we have had horrible experiences with Motomaster/CT or related batteries killing alternators in our vehicles.

The power components is as follows:
Pioneer AVH 4100DVD
JL 500/1
Focal Solid 4 4x75w RMS
- I run my iPhone off the deck for power and a garmin gps. Thats about all the power being drawn for A/V.

Anyway, just looking for suggestions as I dont wanna cause any damage again in the future and or deal with it again.

[Default User]

I would start with redoing the ground wires. Bump up to 8 or 10G and go from there. Be sure to ground the wires to BARE METAL. Take some sanding paper to scrape off paint, clearcoat, oils, etc.
Ground the motor, throttle body, alternator, and amp.

If that doesn't work - It's possible you have a voltage leak also.
If you are in the Markham area - I can reccomended a guy who is a wiz at electrical troubleshooting.

Warden and HWY7 Futureshop
Car Audio install shop
ask for Mo.

(normally I wouldn't recommend FS for shite, but I've known Mo for about 15-years, waaaay before he opened shop at FS.)

[sas]

No, the capacitor can’t help, capacitor is needed for stable work of amp’s voltage converter. These GEL batteries are very sensitive to charging voltage. On nuclear stations they are working tens years with right servicing and controlled level of discharge. On vehicles they need in a special charging controller and there is a problem how to combine this controller with alternator, because the alternator is managed by PJB.
Without controller these batteries, also , are very hungry for amperes, what can lead to alternator’s malfunction.
I don’t have answers on these problems , that is why I’m still running with lead-acid.