How can I hook up a capacitor to my subwoofer amp?

If your total system power is 1000 watts RMS or more, you will need to: 1. Upgrade the alternator to a high output alternator 2. Upgrade to a heavy duty deep cycle battery 3. Upgrade the "Big 3" - that is to replace the power wire between the battery and alternator, the ground from the battery to the chassis and the ground strap from the engine/tranny to the chassis with at least 1/0 AWG wire. Failure to do this will result in you replacing them anyway as the alternator will eventually fail. Here is a guide that will calculate what size alternator and power wires you need http://www.datafilehost.com/download.php?file=6d26c621 A second battery is never a good idea as it's an added strain on the alternator to charge two batteries AND supply power for the car. The ONLY time a second battery is useful is if the audio system is to be used with the car off. A cap is only good so far as the audio system isn't trying to pull too much from the electrical system. A cap doesn't provide more power, it's designed to 'stiffen' the voltage to the amp, nothing esle. If the current isn't there, a cap won't help. The alternator must have at least 20% more amperage power than the entire vehicle and sound system combined for a cap to be of benefit which is ironically the same requirements for an amp to be efficient. A cap has to be charged just before you supply power to it. It's best to install it as close to the amp as possible. You may need to get addition power and ground wire the same size you have now. Otherwise, cut the ground and power wire leaving enough room to mount it. The overall length of the ground wire should as short as possible (18" or less if possible, not critical). Remove the fuse at the battery. If you don't have one, you need one that is rated the same as the total fuses that are on the amp. It must be no more than 18" from the battery. Connect the ground from the chassis to the cap then to the amp. Connect the the power wire (from fuse by the battery) to the cap then to the amp. To charge the cap, get a 12v light bulb with leads. Temporarily connect the power wire from the battery to one side of the bulb (at the fuse) and connect the other side of the bulb to the wire going to the cap. The bulb will light and over a period of time (10-20 seconds) it will get dimmer. When the bulb goes out, the cap is charged. Basically, your going to put the light bulb where the fuse was. Now you can re-install the fuse. _______________________ IMPORTANT: Make/print a sign/note that states: "WARNING: This vehicle employs a large electrolytic capacitor for the electrical/audio system. The capacitor holds a charge EVEN when disconnected. When changing the battery, remove this fuse. Take caution and charge the capacitor prior to replacing this fuse. SEVERE INJURY OR DAMAGE MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO COMPLY!" Have a big red arrow pointing to the fuse and one of those yellow triangles with the exclamation point in the center. Laminate this sign and place it near the fuse by the battery. Something like this: http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/sparky3489/CapWarning.jpg See my site for more info http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com

Lance is right. Henpeckedredneck is not. Wiring a capacitor in series in a DC circuit will block DC current flow and your amp will not work. The proper way to connect an electrolytic capacitor is in parallel with the DC source (Positive to Positive, Negative to Negative). In theory the capacitor increases the current capacity of your 12 volt supply, basically acting as a reservoir. The idea behind this is when a loud note hits, the amplifier draws more current as it tries to reproduce the note. When the amp has used all of the current available, the supply voltage drops until the current is available again- hence your dimming lights. The real cure for this problem is providing a higher current source. Your best bet is to ask an expert car stereo installer who has dealt with these issues before. Hope this helps.

cut the positive amps wire , the lead from the batt. hooks to one side and the lead from the amp hooks to the other.

Capacitor won't fix inadequate current (you need more 12V amperage).