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What happens when an audio cap (1 farad) can't hold its charge?

I have a *parasitic drain. I believe it is the 1 farad cap. I did some research on capacitors, and I found out when a capacitor can't hold it's charge it become a resistor. Is this true? I know a 1k ohm resistor is used to pre-charge and discharge the cap. If it is, this would explain the drain. When I disconnect the battery terminals (to do electrical needs), then reconnect the terminals there is a BIG SPARK. I had to go off Island (I live in Hawaii) for 3 days, and before I left the battery voltage was at 12.7 volts, and when I got home, it read 12.2 volts. The AGM battery is only 8 month old.

*Note...A parasitic drain…the battery is being drained slowly. Click on link below for more info…

http://www.flashoffroad.com/electrical/Batteries/B...

List of items for my ride:

Head Unit: Alpine DVA - 9861

Processor(s):

- EpiCenter (by: Audio Control)

- Apex (by: Kove Audio)

Amp: JL Audio 300/4 and 500/1 (constant 800 watts)

Cap: One Rockford Fosgate1 farad Cap

Front: MB Quart 216

Rear: Boston Acoustics (6x9) SX65

Sub: 1 Eclipse 12" Alum. Dual 4 ohm VC

Battery: Die-Hard AGM Battery, Platinum P-4 - Group Size 34/78DT

Alternator: 220amp by: PowerBastard.com

1/0 ga wire to D-block

Using a dual fused D-block in the engine bay

- ANL 100 amp fuse (used for H.O. Alternator)

- ANL 150 amp fuse (used as power wire to amp)

- “BIG 3” upgrade

Update:

Forgot...How long should/does a Capacitor last? I have had this cap for about 15 years. Is it time to get a new cap? Would a "BatCap be better?

2 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    The capacitor can become leaky but by the time it is enough leakage to be an important drain it will become noticeably warm to the touch. Whatever is causing the drain, the capacitor will produce the impressive spark, though. You can certainly measure the leakage of each device but in most modern cars the built-in security system is the main drain.

    Source(s): 35 years maintaining my own cars, 45 years in electronics
  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    sectrix, a greater valuable restoration to the electrical powered subject is doing the enormous 3 improve, that's needed to be performed in the past the alternator get upgraded, and a greater valuable battery is comprehensive in the past the alternator besides. in case you do no longer understand how plenty the HO alternator is i'm going to permit you realize, they start up at around $4 hundred and pass up from there, the HO alternator for my automobile is $seven-hundred. sandersd734, you somewhat need to learn proper to the product which you're advising somebody to get. A cap has no longer something to do with keeping a battery from draining in any respect. the only element it does is stiffen the voltage on your audio device, and not something greater. in an attempt to respond to the question handy, the a million farad cap is greater suitable than sufficient on your device. while you're experiencing dimming light fixtures look into the enormous 3 improve. you will choose approximately 10 - 15 feet of it. Battery adverse undergo chassis floor Battery effective undergo alternator Engine block to chassis floor

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