How to Hook up Subs with a Capacitor

If you're operating a high-powered car audio system with amplifiers and subwoofers, you should consider adding a capacitor into the system. A capacitor stores energy for quick release, ensuring that your amplifiers have enough power during peak demand to drive your speakers and subwoofers effectively, so you get loud, clean bass.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Amplifier
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Power cable rings
• Ground cable

1. Disconnect your amplifier's power line from the battery.

2. Choose a spot about 1 to 3 feet away from the amplifier and cut the power cable. Strip the insulation on the cable so each end of the cut has about 1/2 inch of bare wire exposed.

3. Twist a power line ring connector (see Resources) onto each end of the power cable.

4. Cut a length of ground cable long enough to reach from the power cable cut to a grounding point (use the same grounding point you used for your amplifier). Twist a power line ring connector onto each end of the ground cable.

5. Connect both ends of the cut power line onto the capacitor terminal marked "positive" or "+."

6. Connect one end of the ground cable onto the "negative" or "-" terminal of the capacitor and the other to the grounding point your amplifier uses.

7. Reconnect the amp power cable to your battery and charge the capacitor as directed in the capacitor's manual.

Resources

• Power cable rings