How To Install A Car Audio Capacitor

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Learn how to install a capacitor in your car. Doing so will help your amplifier get the power that it needs to perform properly and reduce dimming headlights. Read more: knowledge.sonic...
In this video, we used a Install Bay IBCAP1F, a Stinger APV44 Battery, the MTX TC6004 amplifier, and Kicker Power/Ground Wire.
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[@SonicElectronix]

@marcusher You'll need to charge the capacitor when you first install it. The capacitor should come with a resistor to allow for charging. As far as installation, just remember to have a fuse in-line from your battery to the capacitor and you'll be good to go.

[@scottydntno]

Why not show how to charge the capacitor and show a full install on the table? Thumbs down.

[@biffy7]

Never handle the cap the way he does in the video. Keep your hands way from the terminals unless you have tested the cap and know that it has discharged. Hope this helps someone stay alive.

[@Ernestom5]

+biffy7 Most useful comment I've read in the whole thread...

[@shanemiller4108]

💯🙏

[@jrjr.6667]

Never knew or heard of anyone ever getting killed from 12 volts. I am not trying to be arrogant but it's like all these people stressing removing the neg from the battery. That's for people who make mistakes.

[@rellik187redrum]

Jr Jr. No kidding the guy must be a really scaredy cat type.

[@jamesbyworth9938]

12 volts won't kill you but 6 amps will and I've seen more than 6 amps coming out of one before

[@Jayhoyt32]

Absolutely the truth. This isnt the first clip ive seen from these guys that makes me question whether its helpful knowledge, or sales pitching.

[@SonicElectronix]

Realistically, a video will not show you how a system sounds. Nothing can replicate the potential of a system except the system itself.

[@S3N3CA86]

Peopel....if you have a prpblem with your cap not working well do this. Run another fuse from the cap to the amp. Second fuse helps s lot with big systems also make sure you install the grounds properly. Just make sure the ground you use is very good. After u scrape the paint off. Get a wet rag and pour rubbing alcohol on it and wipe it clean. It will take off left residue and oil from paint. I hope this helps

[@SonicElectronix]

As long as your wire supports it and you are connecting them to the right components in your system.

[@SonicElectronix]

@Merhivi There's no need to fuse the ground when installing a car audio capacitor. Just make sure to have a fuse in-line with your 12v power and you'll be protected and good to go!

[@SonicElectronix]

That is in all vehicles as the starter motor is given full power to start the engine and all other electrical devices are powered off and back on.

[@CoquiAudio]

the cap does work remember it will retain a charge and the larger the caps say 1 farad 2, 3, etc the amplifier will perform better at low frequencies output from them amp will be more precise and solid bass tones can be achieved, is a good alternative for low budged systems

[@SonicElectronix]

The cap isn't "on" or "off". It is simply the voltmeter on the cap that turns on and off. It will do this until the voltage in the cap stabilizes with that in the battery.

[@SonicElectronix]

You can connect it to the battery if the battery is close by to the cap and the amp. Most batteries are up front, so running a long ground wire all the way to the front is impractical. If your cap needs a REM wire, it should specify where it goes.

[@SonicElectronix]

@nastyku You wouldn't necessarily need the capacitor in-line since the Kinetik battery will basically be doing the same thing, but at a more efficient rate. If you do decide to go with the cap as well then no harm. You'll want to run 0 gauge from your battery to a battery isolator, and then run that to your Kinetik battery. This will prevent the Kinetik from continuously draining the main battery. I would recommend grounding the cap/battery separate from the amp to avoid noise issues.

[@navardominnis1850]

wow that exchange between thezuule1 and schackleford made me laugh til water came out my eyes

[@Thezuule1]

/bow

[@SonicElectronix]

@Jocktech Make sure your amplifier is providing enough power and that your battery can handle the power. Its always good to upgrade your battery when dealing with car audio installations, as well as doing the Big 3 upgrade. This will help your system run more efficiently because you will be providing the correct amount of power. Also make sure you are wiring the subs correctly and running them a proper impedance that is adequate for the amplifier. Basically don't run a 2 ohm load at 4 ohms.

[@SonicElectronix]

@ThatFreeThinker Not a dumb question at all. Simply put, a capacitor will hold a charge. This can benefit a car audio system because amplifiers sometimes demand large amounts of power very quickly. If your capacitor is constantly holding a charge closer to your amplifiers, this can help meet up with the demand. Also capacitors discharge quickly, faster than your battery can essentially. As far as batteries, I'll PM you details as there's too much info for the character limit.

[@SonicElectronix]

@Gunnedslingers1 If the gauge doesn't fit then you have two options. You can try ring terminals or just go with the 4 gauge. Just make sure you are protecting yourself from any blown fuses or possible blowouts.

[@SonicElectronix]

You can ground them together. However, if you hear increased noise or humming you should ground them separately.

[@SonicElectronix]

Make sure your amplifiers remote input wire is connected to the receivers remote amplifier output. Your amplifier is likely staying on because you have connected your remote wire to a 12v+ constant source, when it should be connected to a 12v+ ignition switched source, such as the remote output on the back of an aftermarket receiver.

[@SonicElectronix]

Capacitors only have a remote turn on wire if they have special digital displays or functions, at which point you can connect it to the remote wire going into the amplifier.

[@SonicElectronix]

Capacitors do not run amplifiers, they simply provide a little extra boost of power when needed. You should have one capacitor per amplifier for the best results and only if your charging system produces more power than your system needs.

[@SonicElectronix]

@MsiVip Capacitors are like a big storage container for energy. Essentially they store energy so that when your audio set up demands quick burst of energy draw, it draws from the capacitor and no the main battery. This helps your battery from being completely drained and also protects your alternator. If you have a more constant source of energy your system will perform better for this reason we recommend an upgraded battery for better results.

[@SonicElectronix]

@1kickass You're correct. A battery will pretty much do the same thing. Even better, consider an Absorbed Glass Mat Power Cell like a Kinetik HC600. The reason these are more beneficial are their high crank amps/amp hour ratings. A benefit of a capacitor is the high rate of discharge so they can provide your amp with voltage at high rates.

[@SonicElectronix]

They help to stabilize voltage, especially during intense bass notes. They are often used when headlights dim to try and prevent it, however if you have dimming lights, it means you need a larger alternator and secondary battery.

[@Mr.Bathelus832]

How do I maintain the capacitor if I store my car in the garage for 3 weeks or so? What should I do?

[@CarterEdison777]

Will this work in a hybrid? I dont have an alternator to upgrade

[@SonicElectronix]

A capacitor does not turn off, however the LED lighting or LED meter should turn off eventually. You may need to connect a remote turn on wire to it, you probably have a 12V constant to it instead of 12V accessory wire.

[@SonicElectronix]

@BMXRider267 That's one way, and it's the cheapest at the end of the day. If you just got a brand new battery or something then you can just add a battery near your amplifier and hook it up with a battery isolator to your main battery. The isolator will prevent the new battery from unnecessarily draining from your main battery while the vehicle isn't on. The HC1400 might fit as a starting battery for your vehicle, but check the dimensions before buying it. The SHURiKEN SK-BT60 will also work

[@SonicElectronix]

Capacitors are a band-aid to the problem. A Capacitor will probably not make your lows better, what it will do is "stabilize" the voltage in your electrical system. The problem is capacitors actually add to the electrical demands your amp is already creating. We recommend first upgrading your "Big 3" wires under the hood of your vehicle to get rid of the bottleneck in your electrical system. Second, we recommend upgrading your starting battery to Kinetik, XS Power or Optima.

[@SonicElectronix]

@harjitsd That Hifonics amplifier draws a bit more current at 1 Ohm that at 2 Ohm so you concern is understandable. Since your alternator is a little smaller than most it might be strained a bit. The short answer to your question is it will minimally effect your electrical system. It most likely won't be noticeable, but you might want to upgrade your cars alternator if you plan on expanding any further onto your system.

[@SonicElectronix]

Make sure you are grounding the amp to the chassis of the vehicle.

[@jcjv2010]

I just hooked up dual 10" subs to add to my other dual 10" subs in my car so know i got 4 10" subs and now the headlights dim so gunna need to hook up my capacitor. this video helped great.

[@SonicElectronix]

@doubleZeeZ We would recommend getting a capacitor that is at least 2 Farads.

[@SonicElectronix]

Place the cap as close to the amp as possible between the distribution block and amp.

[@SonicElectronix]

@TheKaufenberg Yes. You'll need to have a power and ground connection to your amplifier for it to properly operate. Brendan demonstrates that you'll need to have the ground from the capacitor on an unpainted metal surface, and the amplifier will require it's own separate ground on a stable unpainted metal surface. You can also use a ground distribution block for this as Brendan mentions in the video.

[@SonicElectronix]

@OfficialKFlum The general rule of thumb is for every 500 watts of RMS it should be 1 farad. So if you are doing 4,000 you would be looking at an 8 Farad Capacitor. Now if the amp is 4,000 watts peak then you will probably only get 2,000 watts RMS meaning you will only need a 4 farad capacitor. This also depends on the capacitor. Higher-end brands like Rockford Fosgate you can go with 1 farad for every 1,000 watts of RMS. To be safe go with 1 farad for every 500 watts.

[@SonicElectronix]

@BMXRider267 The added capacitor won't add any additional power to your vehicle, it will only help store and discharge power that already exists. It may help alleviate some of the dimming, but it will only minimally help. If anything, consider an HC1400, or an HC1800 power cell if you only want to use one, then you can even also add another battery in the future if you want to supplement it, but if you start with an AGM power cell, you can help store a much larger charge.

[@SonicElectronix]

@Jocktech An inline fuse provides over-current protection to your devices. Essentially its a fuse that protects your power wire from catching on fire in the case that the wire gets shorted. Any time you connect a power wire to your positive terminal on your batter you are going to want to use an inline fuse.

[@SonicElectronix]

@Jocktech No problem, gain is tricky and many people like to treat it as bass boost which is not always the best thing to do.

[@SonicElectronix]

@400exman02 You can get a capacitor. But, the best thing to do is get a power cell battery. Capacitors are a great addition to a power cell battery.

[@SonicElectronix]

@marcusher You don't need to have the amp connected yet. After charging you can unground everything and then connect it. You don't need to remove the in-line fuse or else you won't get power to the capacitor. Just connect the capacitor to the ground and power and put the charging bulb or resistor in-line with the battery line. After charging you can unground and reconnect everything. No problem at all. Let us know if you have any more questions.

[@SonicElectronix]

@crazyj06 You'll want to separately ground your amplifier and capacitor from each other. Not only will the capacitor be generating noise if grounded near the amp, but it will also require a separate ground purely for power demands.

[@SonicElectronix]

@xxxkhafanxxx 1) Yes it is alright to use more farads than you need. You will have an even larger power bank for your speakers to draw off of. 2) Yes you technically can connect both amplifiers, but we recommend using your capacitor for the subwoofer amplifier only. Your sub amp will draw much more current than your 600w amplifier. 3) Try it out with 1 run of 0awg first, if you are having electrical problems you will need to run a second 0awg power wire from the battery. Also, Big 3 is a must.

[@SonicElectronix]

A good rule of thumb is 1 farad per 1000 watts of total system output.

[@SonicElectronix]

@asiangunner901 The general rule of thumb is 1 Farad for every 500 watts of RMS power. Now some of the higher end capacitors will do 1000 watts RMS with 1 Farad. If you use your 1 Farad on the 1500 watts amp you might still experience power drainage because your system will still be drawing more than you battery can handle. We would recommend upgrading to a 2 or even 3 Farad capacitor or even better a second battery. A Kinetik KHC1800 should do the job just fine.

[@SonicElectronix]

@BMXRider267 I'd recommend a dual battery setup, or an upgraded alternator. Sounds like that amp draws quite a bit of power in order to function. So you'll want to consider adding two batteries to your vehicle. One to replace your current battery, and another to run your aftermarket audio system. You'll need to use a battery isolator to connect these batteries together. This will regulate the voltage your system will draw, and prevent dimming lights.

[@SonicElectronix]

@thatbastardson If you have a 12" W7 you might want to consider upgrading your battery since the W7 will be able to handle 1000W RMS. The most common way to wire a subwoofer to an amplifier is to wire the subwoofer directly to the amplifier. The W7 subwoofer has a single 3 ohm voice coil so when you need to make sure your amplifier is able to produce a sufficient amount of power so that the subwoofer runs properly. The JL Audio Slash v2 1000/1v2 is the recommended amp to use with a single W7.

[@SonicElectronix]

@xxxkhafanxxx The BOSS CAP is considered low-end and will perform at that level. It is isn't complete garbage but with Capacitors you get what you pay for. We would recommend upgrading your stock batter. This might cause a little more but in the long run will save you a bundle and will be more reliable than a capacitor. Also a capacitor simply stores energy while an upgraded battery will provide more power.

[@SonicElectronix]

@littlechrist1 You'll need to have the capacitor grounded. If the instructions do not state to ground the capacitor they may be incomplete, or the capacitor may have a specific design that prevents it from being grounded. Check to see if there are multiple posts to connect power and ground to. The capacitors we have worked with have all required to be grounded, as well as charged before functioning.

[@SonicElectronix]

@Jocktech It can be that the subs require too much power and the batteries are just draining out, or it can be that your alternator need an upgrade. If the total amount of RMS is more than 1000, you should really look into upgrading to a better battery not just a replacement of the existing battery but a full on upgrade.

[@Johny40Se7en]

Thanks, I'm getting my car on the weekend so I'll check it out when I get it =)

[@SonicElectronix]

@NewfiePaintballa Yes. The video doesn't show the positive wire from the battery clearly. It's also connected to the same post as the other positive.

[@ShamusOGrady2]

That tattoo is badass!

[@SonicElectronix]

@CvillediamondD We would recommend just upgrading your battery in order for your electrical system to handle this much wattage.

[@SonicElectronix]

@dustyonlive If you are replacing your factory battery then no you will not need an isolator, if however you are just adding a battery then yes you will need an isolator. With that kind of power output you will need to look into upgrading your alternator as well. Unfortunately we do not offer free amp kits with the purchase of an amp, we do have some combos that have an amp and amp kit bundled together. My other suggestion is upgrading your amp kit to 0 gauge due to the amount of power output.

[@SonicElectronix]

@ilikeCAitsfun Yes, this is not a problem. Just make sure that your are connecting to a paint and corrosion free surface.

[@SonicElectronix]

Yes, you can ground your capacitor and amplifier to the same location, so long as the ground is straight to the chassis with no paint covering the grounding surface. No remote turn on wire should be connected to the battery, as it will always be on. Connect your remote turn on wires to your headunit or to a 12V Accessory wire.

[@blazeaglory]

Why does the instructions to two of my batteries say not to? Just wondering

[@SonicElectronix]

@trujay2 Yeah it amounts to about the same thing, so yeah you can use two spv 44s or your original plan. If you are going to keep your original battery and then use two spv44s as additional batteries that would be just fine.

[@SonicElectronix]

@blodswetngearz You got it. Just use the same terminal for both the battery to the capacitor and capacitor to amplifier. Make sure to ground the capacitor separately from the amplifier.

[@SonicElectronix]

You want to put the capacitor in line between the battery and the amplifier. If you have multiple amps you'll need one cap for each amp and use a distribution block to route them back to the battery.

[@SonicElectronix]

@inkster69 You've got the idea. Find where you'll place the capacitor and cut the wire. Then connect the power from the battery and the power to the amplifier up to the capacitors terminals. Then run a ground wire from the capacitor to either a grounding distribution block or a unpainted metal surface.

[@SonicElectronix]

@SubZeroSkyLine Let us clear things up here. You are very correct in saying that a bigger battery combined with the big 3 is the best way to upgrade your electrical system in your vehicle. However, Capacitors are not completely usless. If used correctly they can aid your electrical system. You just have to make sure to have a capacitor that has the correct amounts of farads and has a proper ground. They will only SLIGHTLY fix light dimming or voltage drops.

[@SonicElectronix]

@johndread There shouldn't be any problems with using a 2 farad cap with your system. The reason we said that a 1 farad capacitor would suffice is because of general rule of thumb. Going above the rule of thumb is recommended, and you can usually alleviate stress on your amplifier or battery by adding a 2 farad capacitor. There's no negative effects.

[@SonicElectronix]

@chiddyxxbang This might cause you to have alternator whine and engine noise. It is recommend to have the ground of your amp connected to a paint and corrosion free surface of your vehicles chasis.

[@SonicElectronix]

@upthebum100 If installed incorrectly, or installed in an electrical system that is malfunctioning capacitors can be as dangerous as a battery. In some situations capacitors can explode, leak, or short out. It's highly recommended to have a professional install your capacitor along with the rest of your audio system.

[@SonicElectronix]

@VeryTucker I wouldn't recommend wiring it any way other than parallel. When you connect the wiring, you're just connecting positive to positive, negative to negative. I've head of car batteries being wired in series, however not with capacitors.

[@SonicElectronix]

@TheKaufenberg If it's a true RMS CEA-Compliant 4000 watt amplifier then you should use a power cell. A 4000 watt amplifier will draw quite a strain on your electrical system. Replace your battery with a power cell, and consider adding another in your trunk. If the amplifier is more like a 2000W amplifier than you may want to run just one power cell under your hood, and maybe supplement it with a capacitor, but that may not even be necessary.

[@SonicElectronix]

No, you would want to make sure you have separate grounding points.

[@SonicElectronix]

@EMata713 A capacitor is not measured in watts. It is measured is Farads . 1 Farad is equal to roughly 500 watts RMS. For example if you have a 2000 watt system, you are going to need at least a 4 farad cap.

[@SonicElectronix]

@mrlevi93 Yes the capacitor must be charged before it is used. Most capacitors will include a resistor that you will run inline with your main battery source. Once the resistor goes from bright to completely dim, then your capacitor will be completely charged. At that point remove the resistor and reconnect the capacitor to your main battery source. This is a little tricky if you have never done it before. Luckily you have many resources that you can use to diagram how to charge a capacitor.

[@vincebowling1778]

A capacitor is just something else for an alternator to charge. If you're having voltage issues, get a higher amperage alternator.

[@vincebowling1778]

+m0nchichi simple minded information? I've been in this game for almost 30 yrs. Look at all the other high end car audio installs. Do they have capacitors? No they don't...they have multiple, high amp alternators and lots of batteries. Do yourself a favor, study this subject a little deeper

[@elsey1976]

+m0nchichi Have you EVER been to a real audio competition? ? Obviously not. let me know how many caps you find at a USAC or IASCA event. NOOB

[@standbyme6395]

big 3

[@vincebowling1778]

Jonny Deth I've not been to college for that particular subject, but I was a heavy truck technician for many years specializing in engine/electrical troubleshooting and repair as well being a "do it yourself basshead" with excellent results. You're statement is exactly correct...if you're going beyond what your stock electrical system can provide, go bigger. High amperage alternator plus good batteries and upgraded wiring is the only way to go. Thanks for the comment

[@kalijasin]

Why do car audio amps have capacitors in them if capacitors are not needed?

[@SonicElectronix]

@97chevyZ71350 Yes that's correct. After reviewing the video it is tough to see that the power connection from the battery goes to the same terminal that the power cable to the amplifier is on.

[@Jayhoyt32]

If you study how a capacitor works, you will quickly start to question the need for one in the first place. Forget the cap. Just get an extra battery. "Kinetic" is a great way to go.

[@SonicElectronix]

@xxxkhafanxxx The general rule of thumb is 1 farad for every 500W RMS, so all you need if a a 4 Farad Capacitor. I would recommend the Massive Audio CAP 4. Its a solid capacitor. My honest opinion would be to upgrade your factory battery, this will take care of the capacitor issue and will provide more power. The capacitor will only store power and discharge it accordingly.

[@SonicElectronix]

You would not look for wattage, you would look for amperage. It is likely between 60-80A

[@SonicElectronix]

@Jocktech Gain measures the ability of the amplifier to increase the power of the signal from the input to the output. Essentially it regulates the signal from input to output. When installing a sub, you will set up your low-pass and subsonic filters, turn the gain all the way down and then turn the volume from your headunit all the way up. Then slowly start turning your gain up, once you hear distortion stop and back it up a notch and then you have your gain set.

[@SonicElectronix]

@MistahRoboto Yes this is common, essentially when your voltage drops the amplifier is then giving out a lower power rating. This means that the woofer are not receiving less power than they where when you had a higher voltage. It is the equivalent to having a14.4v battery to 12v battery. At higher voltage the amp will have higher rating and thus giving more power to the subs. Upgrading your battery and alternator will fix this problem.

[@Built_it_by-alex]

a capacitor or cap for short holdes a charge and lets it out whenever bass is being played in your car audio then recharges at very fast high speeds

[@SonicElectronix]

@Jocktech No your battery is probably dying because you require more power than it can give. Look at the magnet of the woofer it should tell you what ohms your woofers are. Based on the ohms and the number of woofers you have, this will determine the best final impedance in which to run your subwoofers. For example 2 Single 4 ohm woofers will run to a final impedance of 2 ohms once they are wired in parallel. You should really figure out what impedance your voice coils are to run them correctly

[@SonicElectronix]

The safest thing to do is to ground into the chassis. We do not recommend you ground into anything else.

[@SonicElectronix]

It would be better to ground it to the chassis. If your battery in in the back of your car, you can ground it to the battery. Sometimes grounding it to the battery can cause ground loops to form.

[@SonicElectronix]

@djchichi31 Power solutions depend on a lot of factors (i.e. your car alternator size, the amplifiers you are using and how efficient they are, and how much overall power your system is running). If you're totaling over 1000 watts of RMS power in your system (which you most likely are) go for a battery like the HC1800 by Kinetik. 35 Farad Stiffening Caps usually won't store as much power as stated, and they're only capable of storing power. If you choose a capacitor, use the HCAP-40.

[@SonicElectronix]

@TheNascarfan89 If your subwoofer is handling less than 800 watts RMS then you more than likely will not need a capacitor. The capacitor will store energy that can be used when then subwoofer requires quick burst of energy draw. This takes some of the stress off your main battery. If you are running a system with more than 1000 watts RMS we strongly suggest going with an additional battery. Capacitors store energy they do not provide more energy.

[@sparky3489]

The thing is, people get confused in the real purpose of a cap. A cap is not used to cure or prevent dimming lights, change the way the system sounds or save the battery/alternator (all are misconceptions). To undertsand the purpose you need to understand how they work. A cap does it's best to keep the voltage at a certain level, but if the overall voltage changes so will the cap voltage. The cap just makes the change smoother.

[@SonicElectronix]

@thirdgenguy17 Not without the turn on wire, the wire serves as as signal to the capacitor that let is know when the amplifier has shut off.

[@SonicElectronix]

It charges off of the vehicle battery, so you don't need an extra battery.

[@SonicElectronix]

A capacitor is there to provide more power, it should not messing with your headlights it might be an installation issue. If you look at the knowledge base page we have on our website on capacitors it should definitely help you decided what's best for your system.

[@SonicElectronix]

It should be within 12 inches of the amplifier for maximum performance.

[@SonicElectronix]

Yes you will, your system will work but you cannot give it enough power to bring out its full potential until you upgrade your alternator. It will work just fine, but you will likely have dimming lights and loss of current.

[@SonicElectronix]

The resistor is used to charge the capacitor before connecting it to your system. There are tutorials online explaining how to do this.

[@johnargue2977]

Battery positive to capacitor.positive of capacitor to amp positive. Ground the negative of capacitor.

[@SonicElectronix]

@hasnachos This is only for stereo applications. It is used in line between an after market amplifier and your battery. If you want to just increase the efficiency of your entire electrical system then do a big 3 upgrade.

[@SonicElectronix]

@DerrickT113 This definatly sounds like an issue with the capacitor. We would suggest taking a multimeter and checking the voltage of the remote turn on wire to see if there is any change as well. This may be the issue. Otherwise it could be a defctive capacitor.

[@SonicElectronix]

@BMXRider267 The upgraded alternator depends on your vehicle. You can get a great deal for specific vehicles and an upgraded alternator is your best bet to go with. The Dual battery setup can run around $200-$300 or so for each battery and the isolator.

[@SonicElectronix]

No this will not really prevent your amp from heating up. To decrease the chances of over heating, just make sure you have the amp in a ventilated location.

[@SonicElectronix]

That is excellent information and it is correct, however it does NOT tell the full story. Yes, a weak electrical system will suffer more if you add a capacitor. HOWEVER, if you have a very strong electrical system, a capacitor is beneficial in that it can fill up peaks in current and clean up the electrical signal. It will improve sound quality and lower your noise floor. So NO, they are not a waste of money if you know how to use them.

[@SonicElectronix]

@MrJames6216 Your capacitor should stay on. Make sure that you've charged your capacitor, and also check it's ground connection to ensure it ha 12 volt continuity.

[@SonicElectronix]

Then all you need is to put the capacitor in line with the power wire of the amplifier, no need for a "high performance" distribution block, whatever that means.

[@SonicElectronix]

@spezow1234 What gauge wire are you using? It may be a wiring size issue or ground, or a multitude of other potential problems. It's tough to diagnose over the web, obviously, but since the two most probable are either wire gauge and ground location just double check what size wire you're using. Make sure it's the same size as the ground wire, and ensure that the ground has a stable unpainted metal surface to grab onto. Changing your ground location might be a good idea for testing purposes

[@AussieBassKrew]

no, they dim because i don't have a cap lol!, gonna get one tho, just wanted to know a few things about them but its all good now, thanks :)

[@SonicElectronix]

@FanOfSubwoofers If you are running two subs and two speakers or even 4 speakers on 1 amplifier that probably isnt enough power to properly run you entire system. Even if you have a 5-channel amplifier the subwoofers are pretty strong. MTX only makes 2 models of square woofer so you are either running 1200W RMS total or 1500W RMS total. I recommend an amplifier for your subs and one for your speakers. If you want a battery go with the XS-Power D5100, that should be enough to power your system.

[@user-on5hb9tv5m]

Good job str8 to the point