In my "old" civic, I had a terrible dimming problem when I was running the Z9000. At night, my headlights would dim, along with my console and deck. I imagine that my "new" civic will have the exact same problem. Can I buy a Cap to solve this problem?
IMO, upgrade the magic three and go from there. It's pretty cheap and really does help. Once I did it, I could tell my amps were getting more consistent power. Also make sure your amps' ground are nice and beefy. I run a Tantrum 1200.1 and a ZX400 off a stock AC Delco battery in my 1997 TL with upgraded magic 3, no cap and get no dimming at all.
A cap will help. Check Ikesound.com for that.. they've got round caps that are even less than $40 quite often. (with caps, brand name matters not... just be sure you buy a round electrolytic cap.. the square kind are bad, high ESL) I definitely would recommend upgrading the "magic 3' though. Buy some 4 gauge wire, maybe 10 feet of it... and at least six 4 gauge ring terminals. The magic 3: 1) wire going from your battery - to the chassis ground. Upgrade the wire, and also sand the paint away so it's actually a metal-on-metal connection (paint is an insulator). Paint over the connection, or grease it so it doesn't rust. 2) wire going from your alternator to your battery +. Upgrade the wire to the 4 gauge. 3) wire going from your engine to the chassis ground. Upgrade the wire, and also sand the paint away so it's actually a metal-on-metal connection. Paint or grease it too... this wire is essentially your alternator's ground wire, since the alternator is chassis grounded, is bolted to your engine, and this wire grounds the engine. Good luck!
The general rule is 1 farad for every 1000 watts. If you want a cap I would go with a 1 farad since your pushing 800W.
I'd guess 1F would be enough. It won't eliminate your dimming, but it'll minimize it, certainly minimize the drama. Coupled with the other cheap mods - the magic 3 - it should be effective enough. Let us know after you do it! B)
