Batboard

Ok, this is a new one that I have been asked about...

Our newer PD fleet guy (basically in charge of getting a car in for service....but makes some vehicle descions) is curious about using these audio capacitors with lighting and radio equipment. We have some non-police package vehicles that we have some good lighting packages etc, but the alternators and battery takes a beating with all the crap in them. He was thinking of throwing in an Optima deep cycle battery and maybe one of those capatiors in as an experiment to help off load some of the initial load.

Anyone seen or try this yet? Thoughts?

Just my 2 cents. The caps work best with audio amplifiers that draw large amounts of power for brief moments when the bass is thumping. The loads in your application are pretty much constant.

peak load devices aren't going to do much with a constant load like warning equipment.

It won't do a thing. These 1 Farad+ caps are for equipment that peaks briefly- like a stereo amp on a hard bass note.

You need a larger alternator and alternator B+ lead. You also need appropriate power feeds and circuit protection to the equipment.
The Optima battery is a good idea, but without a large alternator, it won't do that much good. Most standard batteries with a properly sized alternator will keep up with anything you can throw at them.