charge a cap?

[esco97civicR]

are you supposed to charge up the cap befor hookin it up to the amp?

[DynamicSound]

Yes, that is correct.

[redgst97]

Most capacitors come with a resistor that you temporarily put inline between your power wire and the positive terminal of the cap. This will allow it to charge slowly.

You "can" do it without a resistor....when you touch the positive wire to the capacitor terminal you will get a small "spark".

Using the resistor is "right", not using it "works" just fine though.