View Full Version : should i or should i not have system
kevxr2002
07-06-2008, 11:05 PM
hey guys I have a audio system in my car ccurrently and thinking that i may need to remove it.
first I have two Cadence 15" subs and a Cadence 2300W competition amp. Now I cant give u specific models due to the fact they dont sell them anymore and honestly i dont remeber. I have pics in the post your audio thread.
I have had them in the car for 5 years. I have changed the alternator one time about 2.5 years ago and now this week. Is this normal life span? Should I have anything along with the system to take any stress off the alt?
I realize this maybe hard to answer without know all the specs on the audio equipment but any sugguestion would be nice.
Honzo
07-06-2008, 11:06 PM
do you have a cap?
burton160w
07-06-2008, 11:14 PM
Yea with that much wattage you should definitely have a cap on it. There shouldn't be really a need to remove it (audio is the most important necessity in a car). Don't go for the cheap $30 Walmart junker, plan to spend at least $100 for a quality one.
2.5 years for an alternator isn't horrendous. Actually, if it takes that long, I wouldn't worry too much that it's your subs putting too much strain on it. Especially in our cars, where the alt is notorious for going. I just recently replaced mine actually.
But in short - no. That's stupid. Without subs your car won't be able to start, and if it does start you're going to look ridiculous down the street with all your bass-less audio.
Comando489
07-06-2008, 11:16 PM
a cap. is only a bandaid fix. it probably will not solve much IMO
iceberg65
07-06-2008, 11:52 PM
2.5 years isnt that bad a cap wouldt really take strain off the alt. Look into the big 3 wiring upgrade and see if that helps. you can also look into having the stock alt rebuilt to give more output.
Honzo
07-07-2008, 01:13 AM
well i was going to say if he does to throw it in the trash... according to E1, the best configuration leaves the cap in the trash :rofl:
kpeeks
07-07-2008, 03:18 AM
Power Accoustik sells a battery/cap combo thing strictly for the audio system. Might check it out.
i seriously doubt that amp is pushing 2300 watts but im sure its pushing our alt to the limit.
Best solution would be, a rewound or H O alternator (there are several choices available to you... you just have to search) and an isolator set up or a dual battery set up with a big three upgrade for our wiring system. (also do a search... or it may be stickied somewhere.)
kevxr2002
07-07-2008, 08:05 AM
Yea with that much wattage you should definitely have a cap on it. There shouldn't be really a need to remove it (audio is the most important necessity in a car). Don't go for the cheap $30 Walmart junker, plan to spend at least $100 for a quality one.
2.5 years for an alternator isn't horrendous. Actually, if it takes that long, I wouldn't worry too much that it's your subs putting too much strain on it. Especially in our cars, where the alt is notorious for going. I just recently replaced mine actually.
But in short - no. That's stupid. Without subs your car won't be able to start, and if it does start you're going to look ridiculous down the street with all your bass-less audio.
yes I hate looking ridiculous after looking so awesome with my bump for so long. :rofl:
bgred619
07-07-2008, 10:36 PM
if its the chrome series cadence amp then my vote would be to rip it all out and send me the amp. i loved that series of cadence amps but some1 decided to break into my car and take them all away from me. and there kinda hard to come by now.
20cougar01
07-07-2008, 11:12 PM
you could always replace your subs and amp with my L715s and Rockford Fosgate 1501BD amp.
kevxr2002
07-08-2008, 09:06 AM
you could always replace your subs and amp with my L715s and Rockford Fosgate 1501BD amp.
hehe if I was going to replace mine I would just use my 2 JL 10W7's I got laying around collecting dust.
if its the chrome series cadence amp then my vote would be to rip it all out and send me the amp. i loved that series of cadence amps but some1 decided to break into my car and take them all away from me. and there kinda hard to come by now.
I think it may be the Q series actually after looking at it. I really dont remeber its been about 4 years since i bought and i looked at a few different ones. I think its the Q2300.
kevxr2002
07-08-2008, 09:58 AM
if I get a cap how do I determine which one to get? is their certain brands I should look at or does amps determine size?
Honzo
07-08-2008, 03:09 PM
1 farad is good for 1000w, 2 farad is good for 2000w, etc.
thats how i've heard it... but IIRC, that only fixes dimming lights, but puts MORE strain on the alt...
kevxr2002
07-08-2008, 03:33 PM
i thought the dimming lights where just a problem on the 99-00 models? according to the big 3 wire upgrade threads its just for the 99-00 models.
20cougar01
07-08-2008, 03:40 PM
dimming lights occurs on 01s too haha. I know my lights dim when i have system going and hell my lights dim if i have the windows up and hit the switches for the windows. and i even have a cap but idk if it working right since the display is off on it (i think i broke it trying to take it apart) but its main purpose right now is to allow me to go from )gauage to 4 gauge.
Honzo
07-08-2008, 08:40 PM
i thought the dimming lights where just a problem on the 99-00 models? according to the big 3 wire upgrade threads its just for the 99-00 models.
dimming may occur in any car with a good amount of power draw for subs.. happens in my friends pt cruiser every time the bass hits. The simple solution is a cap to allow a steady flow of power to the amp, but the downside is it causes much more draw on the alt...
kevxr2002
07-09-2008, 08:35 AM
dimming may occur in any car with a good amount of power draw for subs.. happens in my friends pt cruiser every time the bass hits. The simple solution is a cap to allow a steady flow of power to the amp, but the downside is it causes much more draw on the alt...
Hmm I guess I dont see the point to even put one if its just gonna drain the alt more than what the system already does. :confused:
every time the word "cap" comes up, i want to shoot somebody.
Honzo
07-09-2008, 09:32 PM
hmm funny you mention that, i just finished installing my system
which has a 1 farad capacitor :biggrin:
:cover:
madgeo
07-10-2008, 12:04 AM
Like perviously stated: "You never want to use a cap, its like a bandaid fix"..
if you have done the Alt and doesn't fix you problem. try the Big 3. if your still having dimming issues the DEFENTLY put another
battery in :biggrin:. I have 2 4000 watt amps in my car. I did the Big 3, bigger alt and had 2 bigger batteries in the car:cool: If you need help just drop me a line. I'll help any who needs help. I might be down @ CougarFest
if any one who is going that might need help.
Its only 1 hr drive for me???:confused: