Proper Grounding? ATTN:E1

[Honzo]

So I'm trying to plan my system out as much as possible before it all gets here and a friend of mine told me something about grounding everything... I was thinking about possibly getting another distro block and running the grounds from the cap and both amps into it and out to a single 4 ga ground. But my friend says the cap and amps should be grounded seperately. Also, i just came up with another question... I have a 500w sub amp and a 200w speaker amp that will be hooked to a distro block. Should i put the cap before (giving both amps power to draw from the cap) or after (on the line with the sub amp so only it can draw from the cap) the distro block? Would it even work right with the first method?

I'm pretty sure E1 can answer this but anyone else feel free to chime in with any insight.

[michcougar]

On my system I have the power going to the cap, cap is grounded and I have 1 wire going from the negative side of the cap to the amp to ground it.

So for you I would say run the main power wire to the cap, from there hook up your distrobution block to your 2 amps. Ground off the cap and have 2 wires going from the negative on your cap to your ground on your amp. Make sure you sand down the paint to make sure you have a good ground.

[ice992]

Aparently you have a fetish for e1.. Next time pm him if you only want him to answer..

[EternalOne]

Originally Posted by ice992

Aparently you have a fetish for e1.. Next time pm him if you only want him to answer..

Or it could be the fact that I've been building competition systems for 17 years and have double degrees in the field of electronics. Not to mention the fact that I answer with facts and links, instead of my random insight with no backing. Oh, and maybe he wanted others to learn from the answer, instead of keeping it in a PM.

Either way, don't ask me about caps -- as they are nothing but a bandaid for a bigger problem. If you have to run a cap, you have other issues that should be addressed instead of buying a $100 paperweight that hurts your alt more than it helps your system. Do a search in this forum and you can see my full dissertation about why caps are not only useless, but dangerous.

E1

[LostRacer]

Originally Posted by EternalOne

Or it could be the fact that I've been building competition systems for 17 years and have double degrees in the field of electronics. Not to mention the fact that I answer with facts and links, instead of my random insight with no backing. Oh, and maybe he wanted others to learn from the answer, instead of keeping it in a PM.

Either way, don't ask me about caps -- as they are nothing but a bandaid for a bigger problem. If you have to run a cap, you have other issues that should be addressed instead of buying a $100 paperweight that hurts your alt more than it helps your system. Do a search in this forum and you can see my full dissertation about why caps are not only useless, but dangerous.

E1

You forgot to answer about the grounding

[EternalOne]

Originally Posted by LostRacer

You forgot to answer about the grounding

Because the grounding question was related to the cap.

Either way, run as short of grounds as possible, strip the paint around the mounting location and do NOT cop out on the ground. Use at LEAST the same guage wire as your power, and don't buy the cheap crap. Quality wire goes a long way...

Happy Ty? :P

[Excelcier]

Originally Posted by EternalOne

Or it could be the fact that I've been building competition systems for 17 years and have double degrees in the field of electronics. Not to mention the fact that I answer with facts and links, instead of my random insight with no backing. Oh, and maybe he wanted others to learn from the answer, instead of keeping it in a PM.
E1

Grin...

[LostRacer]

Thank you Sir.

My concern was the fact that he asked about grounding(even though including a cap) He never asked if He needed a cap and what others opinions on it were. We all know how you feel about it Rather than bust his balls for the use of the forbidden piece. Just asnwer his question at hand and maybe leave a quick blurb at the end (if you feel it necessary) about the use of a cap. Other than that..Thank you.

[Honzo]

well i got the cap super cheap from a friend so I'll try without it first, if the lights dim, i might as well add it... the alternator is brand new and warrantied through my mechanic for 5 years
I'll just put off the big 3 until I have more money, which is when i'll also relocate the battery to the rear and install and optima yellow top

[ice992]

Originally Posted by EternalOne

Or it could be the fact that I've been building competition systems for 17 years and have double degrees in the field of electronics. Not to mention the fact that I answer with facts and links, instead of my random insight with no backing. Oh, and maybe he wanted others to learn from the answer, instead of keeping it in a PM.

Either way, don't ask me about caps -- as they are nothing but a bandaid for a bigger problem. If you have to run a cap, you have other issues that should be addressed instead of buying a $100 paperweight that hurts your alt more than it helps your system. Do a search in this forum and you can see my full dissertation about why caps are not only useless, but dangerous.

E1

Want a cookie? Why are your panties all in a bunch... and we already know you know electronics... seriously relax... I was making a point, calling you out when their are numerous people who post in this section whom can answer his question quickly and accurately is not needed...

Anyone who is worth a damn knows caps are crap... and if they would just use the search button like we tell every noob who comes on here, this exact discussion has been had over and over and wouldn't have had to ask the same cap or grounding questions that countless before have asked...



Ive had enough