SA 030
car hi-fi power capacitor
MAIN FEATURES:
• improves the car stereo’s sound quality • supplies high current demanded by music transients •
conserves battery power and protects the vehicle’s electric system • built-in voltmeter
THE PROBLEM
When high-powered car stereos are used at high volume, when dynamic musical peaks occur, they can sound
weak and compressed. This is because the vehicle’s electrical system is unable to meet the amplifier’s sudden
power demand since it was not designed for such extreme demands in the first place. Since the alternator is unable to
supply enough power, the battery itself is put to service. This is undesirable. On the one hand because its impedance is
high and it is slow to react, on the other hand because it should actually be charged during normal operation, not
discharged. During heavy bass content the terminal voltage can drop to as low as 12 Volts. In the long run, the battery can
be damaged, drained and – considering that it needs to continuously supply the rest of the vehicle’s electric devices – this
adversely affects the vehicle’s overall operational safety. This poses a particularly serious risk in the winter.
THE SOLUTION
The problem can be addressed in three ways:
- By converting the car’s electrical system: For the benefit of reducing the power supply system’s internal impedance,
the alternator and battery are replaced with higher capacity units;
- An external power supply is used with a 100-200 Ampere 230 Volt power supply unit, or additional batteries are installed
in parallel configuration and continuously charged. (Such methods only facilitate listening in a standing vehicle.)
- A high rated capacitor is installed in parallel with the amplifier.
Thanks to its low impedance, the capacitor is able to receive the necessary charge and discharge it remarkable fast, thus
satisfying the need for the additional power needed by dynamic musical peaks. Being much faster to react that the battery,
the capacitor constantly follows and meets the momentary power demand. It charges and discharges in a fraction of a
second. It is thus able to balance out any variations in power supply, providing the amplifier with a constant, balanced and
stable voltage.
INSTALLATION
1. Before beginning work, remove the main fuse of the audio system.
2. Connect the capacitor to the ground lead first then to the positive lead. Make sure the correct polarity shown on the
product is observed!
3. Replace the fuse. The digital power indicator with turn on and the capacitor will begin to charge. (On initial
installation, the positive lead should be connected via a resistor. This will slow down the charging process from zero,
so any sparking or high current drain caused by rapid charging can be prevented.) The current voltage will become
visible after the Voltmeter’s minimum measuring limit is reached. The resistor can be removed from the circuit once
it has been fully charged. Only fully charged capacitors may be connected to the circuit!
4. The Voltmeter only operates in a given measuring range. Below and above this range the system should be
immediately powered off and troubleshooting performed.
5. Once the current ripple in the car’s electrical system ceases, the capacitor’s electronics will revert to power-saving
mode in a few seconds. (e.g. when the stereo is turned off in a stationary vehicle, or when getting out.)
6. The capacitor’s electronics will switch on again in the event of any change in the current drain of the car’s electrical
system. (e.g. when the car stereo ort other devices are operated.)
The capacitor should ideally be located directly next to the amplifier, however, care should be taken not to subject it to
additional heat generated by the amplifier. The positive lead should be as short as possible for the best efficiency
(max. 35 cm). The negative supply lead should be short as well, and should be connected directly to the vehicle’s
conductive metal parts. Do not connect it to the amplifier’s ground cable!
The capacitor’s connecting leads should be of the same gauge as the amplifier’s power supply cables.
Note: Make sure that the connections are of proper polarity! The capacitor can be discharged by short-circuiting its
terminals with a resistor. Charging prior to installation should also be performed via the resistor! If necessary, use an
external Voltmeter to check the current charging level (if the built-in instrument fails to measure it as the voltage falls
outside its measuring limits).