What Exactly is a Capacitor/what does it do?

[Patrick]

Under what circumstance would one be helpful?
This questions meant to Help more than to get real answers...
People like to say a capacitor will take strain off your alternator/battery... but how is this possible?
Its not simpily put a capacitor is another device needing charging.... how do you take strain off your alternator and battery when they have to now charge an additional source? Its added strain.... the Only time a capacitor would even be helpful was if you had a high AMP alternator... and a normal car battery...it would be basically to take a bit of strain off your car battery and keep you from having to add a second battery.

In Addition what most people dont know is Capactiors for the most part are junk... except namebrand ones, Any cheaper Cap is just a waste of money, and doesnt provide the power it says it does...its really for show


Next Point:
Its hilarious when people add capacitors to their car and then try and make them look all presentable wired to the amp using alot of extra wire...
Your wires contain resistance and one thing you want to do with a capacitor is wire it AS close to the amplfiier as humanly possible as you dont want to lose any of its power in the resistance of the wires....
If anyone has any corrections//Addons to this, It would be appreaciated!

 

[Vipassana]

So, if I read this correctly, and I read it a few times, to make sure I do....

You don't actually have a question.

Rather, you think you know the answer to a question people aren't asking, and have felt the need to rant about it and "correct" others.

Reported, for that.

On another note, placing a capacitor as close to possible to an amp, surely would decrease the amount of resistance.

It's a good thing that most people aren't running at full power all the time, and the amount of power lost, is so insignificant, as to not even matter or be noticeable. And therefore, who cares?

 

[Robinson]

well, i'm sorry, i did not read your "question" word for word. But the capacitor takes the strain of your electrical system because it holds a charge very similar to a battery, and when your amp wants an extra burst of power it takes it from the capacitor instead straight from the battery and then, the battery slowly recharges the capacitor for the next time it wants more power. But just from the amp taking power from the cap instead of the battery takes the strain off because your battery can still power gauges, radio, etc.... without having to also power a hungy amp. So the cap helps prevent lights and such from dimming and not getting all the power it really needs.