Ahhhh that's peace of mind
This is all making a lot more sense now, you have been great help ! I think I will order the Kenwood amp off ebay with the 1 year warranty and all basically same price as the ryda site.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190450399602?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Don't bother about the Farad capacitor unless you're running a very high powered system. I have 1 x 800WRMS and 1 x 400WRMS (at 12.5V) and don't run a Capacitor.

Thanks for clearing that up phongus

Sounds like a pretty good system Fordsrule174, how much did it set you back if you don't mind me asking?

HOW MUCH POWER DOES A CAPACITOR STORE?

1 Farad = 100 joules or 100W/second
850cca battery = ~2,200,000 farads

For storage purposes, you'd need ~2,200 1 Farad capacitors to equal the energy of your battery.

Due to its impedence (ESR & ESL), a cap's energy is only 50% available. What's worse, is that in order for a 1 Farad cap to discharge, first the alternator output must have maxed out, and the voltage must have dropped around 1.5 volts. But I thought a cap was supposed to prevent that (voltage drop)!!!!!????? Yep, you got the point.


IF A BATTERY = 2,200 CAPS, THEN WHY BUY A (PUNY) CAP?

My question exactly. Marketing is the reason why people buy caps. In many cases, upgrading wiring will help your system get the maximum transfer of current. Once that has been reached, adding a capacitor may have a minor effect on your system. 50W over the course of a second is not a lot of power considering an amplifier may draw 2000W to put out 1400 watts. Let's look at the situation from a resources standpoint.

Alternator 80 amps
Car accessories (minus stereo) 40 amps
A large Car Audio system (DRAWS ) ~200 amps AT FULL OUTPUT

In this case, you have 240 amps of draw, but only 80 amps of current from the alternator. In your case, you need 160 amps x 12 volts or or let's say 1920 watts of energy. Since a cap stores 50W, how much of a difference do you think it's going to make? A cap is basically a peashooter. W+e need a Howitzer cannon here, to do the job well.

Also, Once a cap is discharged, where does it get it's power from? The alternator, which is already overloaded. Once a cap is discharged, it's worthless. Like SWEZ says, ・.The cap already shot its wad, an does limp til recharged・ I知 not so certain I will allow him to babysit my kids, but you get the drift. (I never said it quiet like that... and oh...I'm great with kids!)

SO, WHAT IS A CAPACITOR GOOD FOR?

1. Audio Jewelry- impress chicks with large cylindrical shiny thingy
2. Extra weight in winter time
3. A very POOR... BUT expensive distribution block
4. A projectile in the event of a crash
5. Rolling pin--for cooking purposes
6. A neat thing to tell your friend, "..Hey man, lick the top of this..

Hey guys
I was thinking of updating some of my audio gear in the car and was looking for some suggestions. I would have roughly $500 to use for this.
At the moment I have some Sony 6" speakers for the front and some clarion 6x9 in the rear. I also have a 8" sub in the parcel shelf and 12" Cadence sub in the boot. The 8" is run by a basic 2 Channel Amp off eBay and the 12" run by a 4 channel Clarion amp.

I would like some more bass from the system as at the moment it is lacking even with two subs, I think the main issue is that the amps are pretty s**t for the job.

I was thinking perhaps running the 4 speakers with the clarion amp and then getting a mono block amp for the 2 sub and getting a different 12" Sub.

What do you guys think, even if you have other ideas I would love to hear them.

Cheers