Capacitor to save components? [carputer/audio set up]

[Nicelyphe]

I'm looking into doing audio and a carputer in my S13 chassis. Issue is i dont want to strain my bettery or alternator on my Sr. This is a quick idea ive thought of and was wondering if this set-up would even work correctly. I was wondering if i could run a good size capacitor and run devices from that rather then from the battery itself. NOTE - Battery is located in the trunk.

To start I wrote up a quick diagram below..Let me know.

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/9748/setupi.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/setupi.png/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[copmagnet]

Looks good to me. The capacitor will help keep a steady supply to everything and clear out small surges.

[usajdm]

I would definitely look into a dual battery setup.
Caps help to "hide" power drain, but do not actually correct the issues.
Neither the car or its electrical/engine system were designed to handle strains of todays "needs".
I dont think that a "Cap" could or even should, correct additional power strains as that.

[Nicelyphe]

I went to some audio installation place, they told me i can delete the rear speakers and just run the fronts and subs off of one amp. I dont know if i wanna go that route though, he also said im probably better off getting a special battery for this set-up, I forgot what he called it =\.

[copmagnet]

How big of an amp setup do you plan to use? If its not that big, the cap will help keep the voltage from spiking so much. If it IS that big, you need to do one of two things. Run a second battery with an isolator, or put the Quest alternator on there. Maybe even both. And a cap always helps, they will help smooth out the 12v signal in any system for a more steady input. I just noticed you had a 35 farad cap on your drawing, thats huge. If you need one that big, a second battery is in order.

[Nicelyphe]

I see, yea the quest alternator ill may have to just do anyways. I put a 35 cap just as an observation, i actually do not believe id need something that huge. I think I'm going to run like 250 watts to the door speakers, eliminate the hatch speakers, and just run like a single 1k watt sub or maybe dual with like 800 to each. I honestly have not got my audio set up yet, Havent planned on how many watts i wanna go with, but i want real nice quality audio for sure. Nothing that the sub should over power the sound to the point that its all terrible sounding..

[Kyle W.]

i really don't think you need to run a cap till your pushing at least 1500w to a sub.. just my 2 cents

Quest alt. is a must with subs in a 240.

[Nicelyphe]

I think I'm going to go down that route. So no cap in this situation? I just figured since im running an inverter and two amps it may help steady the power. What year quest alternator for the SR? Pretty much just drill out the mounting hole to 3/8 and im done correct?

[ZenkiKid]

Doesnt a voltage stabilizer do this?

[Nicelyphe]

Never worked with one honestly, would that be another alternate route to the set-up?

[inopsey]

arent capacitors used for ac systems and serve no purpose in dc electrical systems. arent capacitors used to even out/correct the alternating phases of alternating current?

[copmagnet]

capacitors resist a change in voltage. They are quick discharge, so they will help steady out the voltage signal to anything connected to them, and lessen the load on the alternator. Smooths out the spikes basically. Never a bad idea imo.