15F Powercore DOA

dBincognito · Post by **dBincognito** » Wed May 06, 2009 1:45 pm

stipud

But using a capacitor for power storage is like taking a hooker to the movies... that's not what you use them for

I think that's good enough to drop the whole discussion...that was good...I needed that

Good 1

Post by **ttocs** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:08 pm

stipud wrote:
ttocs wrote:I curious what the audible difference is in a properly tuned system with no cap, and that SAME system WITH a cap. What does filtering the ac ripple buy ya?
It make things easier on the powersupply, which allows it to create more power for the output section. Also, A/C ripple makes radiated noise... ergo alternator whine

So again, in an a-b comparison sonically what is the cap gonna buy ya? How will it sound different?

Post by **Eric D** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:15 pm

I wonder if all of you could come to the agreement that usage of a capacitor depends on the needs of the particular installation, so in some cases it is a benefit and in other cases it is not?

I know that personally I have seen caps hurt some installs, but I have also seen them benefit some installs as well.

For instance two weeks ago I sold my crazy break everything neighbor kid a Xenon 600.1. I had also sold him a 1 farad cap the week earlier. He has a 4 gauge power cable from the front to the back. Without the cap installed the amp would cut out and shut off on the heaviest of bass notes. With the cap it keeps playing just fine and is louder. In this case the cap was actually required for the performance he demanded from the amp. Now I suppose he could have just put in a 2ga or better yet a 0ga cable, but what would that cost? I sold him the cap for $25, and it fixed his problem.

Now as for me I have never used a cap in any of my own installs. I spend the extra cash for a bigger power wire and that seems to prevent any issues for me.

If you don't have the money for a big power wire, then a farad or two of capacitance is what I recommend, especially if you can get a good deal on the capacitors. If you have the money, then skip the caps and go with the bigger power wire.

dBincognito · Post by **dBincognito** » Wed May 06, 2009 2:59 pm

Eric D wrote:I wonder if all of you could come to the agreement that usage of a capacitor depends on the needs of the particular installation, so in some cases it is a benefit and in other cases it is not?

I know that personally I have seen caps hurt some installs, but I have also seen them benefit some installs as well.

For instance two weeks ago I sold my crazy break everything neighbor kid a Xenon 600.1. I had also sold him a 1 farad cap the week earlier. He has a 4 gauge power cable from the front to the back. Without the cap installed the amp would cut out and shut off on the heaviest of bass notes. With the cap it keeps playing just fine and is louder. In this case the cap was actually required for the performance he demanded from the amp. Now I suppose he could have just put in a 2ga or better yet a 0ga cable, but what would that cost? I sold him the cap for $25, and it fixed his problem.

Now as for me I have never used a cap in any of my own installs. I spend the extra cash for a bigger power wire and that seems to prevent any issues for me.

If you don't have the money for a big power wire, then a farad or two of capacitance is what I recommend, especially if you can get a good deal on the capacitors. If you have the money, then skip the caps and go with the bigger power wire.

IMO....the larger cable would have been the better choice...now he has "extra" power to put "extra" strain on the rest of his electrical system.

I think cap usage does depend on the installation.....some people need more cargo room....some people just like caps....but for most I think it's just the fact that they don't want to spend the money on big gauge wire and extra batteries

Post by **Eric D** » Wed May 06, 2009 3:10 pm

Well, in my opinion there are very few people who ever need extra batteries. If you run SPL that is one thing, but for a daily driver or SQ, extra batteries are a waste.

I ran my modded MS1000TA off a 2ga power wire, factory alternator, factory battery, and no caps. I did not even have any light dimming at night.

Post by **mr tibbs** » Wed May 06, 2009 5:26 pm

FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!!!! I'm sooooooo sorry guys. I feel bad, I guess I should have checked these better before sending them all over the world. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know, even if it is monetary. I feel somewhat responsible.

Post by **stipud** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:49 pm

mr tibbs wrote:FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!!!! I'm sooooooo sorry guys. I feel bad, I guess I should have checked these better before sending them all over the world. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know, even if it is monetary. I feel somewhat responsible.

Naaaawwwwwwwwww man. It's all good. Though if you still have the guy's contact you might bitch at him

I put it all back together without the actual capacitor in the AL case. It still looks real... and that's pretty much all that will matter under my bed

Maybe I will just make an array of Nichicons and hook it up to the rest of the guts. Hmmm

dBincognito · Post by **dBincognito** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:53 pm

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:57 pm

stipud wrote:Maybe I will just make an array of Nichicons and hook it up to the rest of the guts. Hmmm

You could easily make your own PCB, the circuit would be very simple.

Post by **stipud** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:07 pm

So here she is, all the guts swapped over, minus the cap.

Damage is much more obvious from the bottom.

Post by **Wakeup** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:58 pm

Thats one SEXY power core case there Tom....again so sorry for your misfortune. That does suck.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:45 pm

So here's the important questions that I'm wondering after all of this mess...How exactly does this happen to a capacitor? Is it due to abuse, or is there just a limited lifespan or number of charging cycles? How can you abuse a capacitor other than excessive heat build up? I don't imagine that excessive voltage is an issue in many installs, but what about voltage dips?

I figure something positive may as well come from this unfortunate situation so does anybody have any insight into the matter?

Post by **stipud** » Thu May 07, 2009 6:28 am

I'm not sure what to think. Judging that PG no longer repairs these, and some issues with Alumapro are now coming to the surface, it may be a known issue.

It's definitely corrosion that causes them to go like this. I wonder what causes it. A manufacturing defect? Some sort of chemical leak, which when combined with the copper buss bars starts a large chain reaction? Who knows...

vin78 · Post by **vin78** » Thu May 07, 2009 6:38 am

How about buying a alumapro 5 and stuffing it in the PC15 case?

Post by **Eric D** » Thu May 07, 2009 6:48 am

dedlyjedly wrote:So here's the important questions that I'm wondering after all of this mess...How exactly does this happen to a capacitor? Is it due to abuse, or is there just a limited lifespan or number of charging cycles? How can you abuse a capacitor other than excessive heat build up? I don't imagine that excessive voltage is an issue in many installs, but what about voltage dips?

I figure something positive may as well come from this unfortunate situation so does anybody have any insight into the matter?

Some of you guys will probably think I am nuts, but I am confident this damage is from lack of use. When caps, batteries and other storage devices sit idle unused, they start their own chemical reactions. Take a new AA battery and put it in a box for a year then check on it. Many will start leaking, some will grow crystals on their shell.

If you have a big cap like this and it is installed in your car and used regularly, my guess is it will last a very long time.

Post by **stipud** » Thu May 07, 2009 6:55 am

I think that's easily the most probable answer so far. Good call.

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:59 am

Look what happens to the batteries in your wifes/gf's TOYS when they arent used that much

gridracer · Post by **gridracer** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:05 am

oldskoolmseriesfan wrote:Look what happens to the batteries in your wifes/gf's TOYS when they arent used that much

If you do things right she shouldn't need them anyway.

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:07 am

How do you DP your wife without another man in the room...................

GX3 · Post by **GX3** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:32 am

oldskoolmseriesfan wrote:How do you DP your wife without another man in the room...................

WOW this thread just took one hell of a turn

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:33 am

oldskoolmseriesfan wrote:How do you DP your wife without another man in the room...................

You got 10 fingers, don't you?

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:34 am

GX3 wrote:
oldskoolmseriesfan wrote:How do you DP your wife without another man in the room...................

WOW this thread just took one hell of a turn

I was thinking that after I posted

Post by **mhyde71** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:05 am

what is dp?

dBincognito · Post by **dBincognito** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:07 am

mhyde71
Double Penetration Dude

oldskoolmseriesfan · Post by **oldskoolmseriesfan** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:16 am

mhyde71

your either really old or very sheltered