Here is the instruction of how to make a voltage stabilizer for our cars. Although it has many names such as hypervoltage system, ground or volt stabilizer, they are all the same. Their prices range from $60-$220, but you can do it yourself for less than $40. . Personally, I don't know exactly what is inside the box. So what I describe below is based on my knowledge as an electrical engineer.
The voltage stabilizer is used as a filter and a secondary voltage storage for your car. Although the battery itself acts as a large capacitor, it doesn't respond to all current fluxuation in your car. Voltage stabilizer help supplying or absorbing transient current so that electrical inteference is suppressed and more energy from the alternator is stored.
As a result, the engine will run smoother and quiter. Its throttle response will improve. You also get more miles from your gas.
It consists of capacitors connected in parallel. High capacitor value should be use to maximize the filtering effect. Both electrolyict and ceramic capacitors should be use to cover broad frequency range. For battery protection, I add a 3-5A fuse. You can dress it up with some LED lights, but it will just drain up your battery a bit.
Here is the part list:
1. 3-foot 4 or 8AWG wire and 2 ring terminals
2. Plastic enclosure
3. 4 16V Electrolytic capacitors
4. 4 16V Ceramic capacitors
5. a fuse and a fuse holder
6. 2-side sticky tape
7. pre-drilled PCB board
First, Cut the wire and connect each wire with a ring terminal. Then drill 2 holes on the plastic box. Align capacitors in parallel on the PCB board and solder them. Be aware that the electrolytic capacitors have polarity. You should connect all the capacitor's negative terminals to the same point of the PCB board and similary for the positive terminal as shown in the schematic.
This is what inside the box. wires, PCB, CAPs, a fuse and a fuse holder:
Zoom in image of the caps
Then connect one of the fuse holder port to the positive terminal of the capacitors. Insert the positive wire though the box and solder it the PCB board at the other end of the fuse holder. Afterthat, insert the negative wire though the box and solder it the PCB board. Close the box's lid and your voltage stabilizer will look some thing like this:
Installation: Just connect its + terminal to the + battery terminal and then connect - terminal to the - battery terminal. You will see some spark :twisted: . It would be best to charge the unit with a power supply before you hook it up to the battery. I stick my voltage stabilizer on top of the fuse box using a piece of sticky tape. The ECU needs about 1-2 days to adjust itself once you install the your voltage stabilizer, but you should see some improvement immediately.
The system should last for at least 3-5 years.
IMPORTANT NOTE! improper connections may cause the fuse to break or it may drain your car's battery. Good luck!
man i need some better pics of how it is all connected to the board. i'm pretty sure id fry somethin or just make a really crappy looking plastic crap box.
The stuff inside doesn't look that pretty to show, that what the plastic box is for . Anyway, make sure that the wiring for the positive terminal is not connected to the wiring of th neganative both inside or outside of the box and you won't fry anything .
OK, I'm not a electrical engineer, but I would love to know what current four little electrolytic capacitors can supply that a full-size lead-acid starting battery cannot. I wasn't aware of any great current time-lag, or internal resistance losses in such a battery.
Now, I can see the advantage of a capacitor on the far end of a long wire run next to a device (like an audio amp) that has transient high current needs. It fills in the voltage drop caused by drawing large currents through the wire. Next to the battery, this advantage seems to be lost.
Also, wouldn't it be easier to use one larger capacitor instead of several smaller caps in parallel? I note that you didn't specify a value for the caps except for a voltage. 16V seems me to be cutting it a bit close on a system running ~14V. 25V would be safer,
I've seen these devices built for the Japanese market, housed in transparent boxes showing off the row of electrolytics, but frankly it seems like nicely-packaged snake oil to me.
OK, I'm not a electrical engineer, but I would love to know what current four little electrolytic capacitors can supply that a full-size lead-acid starting battery cannot. I wasn't aware of any great current time-lag, or internal resistance losses in such a battery.
It only help supplying transient current for less than <100ms, you will not notice it, but the computer will. It mostly acts as a filter. In electronic stuff, steady power supply in very important. Ripple in power supply also cause instability in some amplifier (I mean sensor stuffs, not audio). Let's say.. it makes a better environment for electronic systems to operate.
Quote:
Also, wouldn't it be easier to use one larger capacitor instead of several smaller caps in parallel?
Yes, and No. Typicall, a large cap has smaller ESR (equivalent series resistance) and has higher ripple current, which is good . It is bulkly and difficult to package. It's frequency response is limited. Also, its price (capacity/$) is more expensive than the small capacitor.
I use 16V caps because I can get higher capacitor values. It is more compact and cheaper ;) . Yes, the battery is running at 14V and It won't go above that, unless there is something wrong with the alternator and the battery will be damaged anyway. I was first thinking about using the 25V caps, then I find justifications to use the 16V caps instead. The capacitor can withstand voltage ripple of more than 16V, but it cannot withstand "steady" voltage of more than 16V, so it should be safe.
The main reason I make this myself is that I want to know if it works without spending too much money on it.
2010 VW GTI 2 Door in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic[6spd] 2002 Honda 919 Asphalt [6spd] (more info) 2009 Honda Civic Si Sedan Crystal Black Pearl [6spd] 2004 Scion xA Polar White [5spd] (more info)
They sell something like this on EBay and I couldn't imagine
what it was, though I do understand basic electronics.
Thanks for your description Kong. Seeing as how I'm teaching
myself to build Vacuum Tube Guitar amps, your ripple filter
makes much more sense now. All you need is a spiffy chrome
box to put it in!
Voltage Stabilizer DIY/Installation
. Personally, I don't know exactly what is inside the box. So what I describe below is based on my knowledge as an electrical engineer.
. Anyway, I will post the picture of the inside.
