One month after the install, the system is doing fine.



Decided to add a stiffening capacitor to the setup. This one is a 2 farad unit.



A stiffening capacitor stores energy instantaneously and dispenses it when needed. Since I'm running a stock alternator, this was the trick way to get needed current to the amps during demanding musical passages.

I've seen these sell for upwards of $200. This one I picked up at a Fry's closeout for $20.



Install was simple...but you had to make sure the capacitor was discharged before installing and then charged up when ready to use. A light bulb was supplied with the kit for this purpose.



The digital voltage display was a nice feature. A quick test drive of the sound system revealed that the subwoofer output was much more controlled, translating to tighter bass.

What was considered a done deal has now become a work in progress...I found the speed sensor wire that will control volume, and I found a Honda to Alpine CD changer interface that looks to be the magic cable for the stock MB changer. But that install is down the road...

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car