Hey all, need your opinion on how I should wire up my Cap. I have a fused distribution block that only has one input, so I can't run it off the block. Should I:

A. Run it inline with power BEFORE the distro block

or

B. Run it inline with the sub amp AFTER the distro block

Tell me what you think.
For more info on the setup, go to MY STEREO PAGE!

 

You should run it at the input of the distribution block. Just run the power cable from the battery into the positive terminal of the cap, and another cable stacked on top of that into the input of the distributon block. Just ground the negative terminal on the cap and you'll be fine.

 

You have a great question, I've been in the stereo game for a long time and get asked this alot.

The rule of thumb is that 1 Farad is enough for 1000W RMS. If your total system power is below 1000W, run it before your distribution block, if its over, run it to the sub amp only, so after the block.

The biggest effect that a cap has is to maintain a constant voltage to the amplifier power supply. The sub amp will have the biggest draw when you hit a bass note, bigger than any on the otehr amps, so put it in line with the sub amp if you don't have enough cap at the 1Farad per 1000W ratio.

System looks great, love the box. Is it fiberglassed, built right to the car or is it a baffle board?

 

If the capacitor is there to provide a supply of current to the sub amplifier (i.e. this is what is causing your voltage to sag) then the best place for it is right at the device that has the peak current draw. By keeping the wiring a short as possible to it the capacitor has the best ability to deliver the charge to the amp when it needs it.