capacitor and voltage stabilizer
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=94029
Printed Date: September 16, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Topic: capacitor and voltage stabilizer
Posted By: audioman2007
Subject: capacitor and voltage stabilizer
Date Posted: May 18, 2007 at 11:49 AM
I know this might be a stupid question, but what is the difference between a capacitor and a voltage stabilizer?
Replies:
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: May 18, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Well, really, it depends. A cap, in EVERY instance is a passive device, that can stabilize voltage.
Depending on the context, a voltage stabilizer COULD be a cap, sure, (as they CAN stabilize voltage, for very short periods of time) but I personally would more likely assume it is a "magic box" that takes any input voltage, within a specified voltage range, and outputs an exact voltage, that won't change, regardless of the load placed on it, within a specified CURRENT range... Does any of that make sense? :)
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: audioman2007
Date Posted: May 19, 2007 at 8:14 AM
eh alittle lol. I know that they are installed differently. A cap is run before the amp and grounded to the chassis. A voltage stabilizer is both powered directly off the battery and grounded to it. Im just looking for something that will help maintain a steady flow of voltage for instance when I am sitting Idle and have the defroster or A/C on. Would a voltage stabilizer be a good choice then?
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: May 19, 2007 at 8:43 PM
OK, in your description, I think you are referring to a "buck-boost" device. It will take whatever the voltage is on the input side, and regulate it to whatever you (or the manufacturer) specifies for the output voltage.
How much amplifier (or deck, or accessory, or whatever...) do you have, and why do you think you need such a device?
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: audioman2007
Date Posted: May 20, 2007 at 7:28 AM
Ok I have a voltage gauge and also my radar detector shows my voltage. When I am driving at normal speed, my voltage is anywhere from 13.8 to 14.3 depending on if I have my headlights on or not. When I sit at idle even with my headlights on, my voltage never drops below 13.6. If I have my A/C on low, it drops down to around 13.2 but if I have it on high, then it dips to 12.8. And I know my alternator is fine because i can play my sound system all I want and my voltage never dips below 13.6 unless ofcource I have the A/C on. So what I want to try and do is get my voltage to stay up higher. Would a voltage stabilizer work?
Posted By: audioman2007
Date Posted: May 24, 2007 at 7:06 PM
Does anyone have an opinion on them?
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 24, 2007 at 7:14 PM
A higher output alternator is probably your best investment. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: audioman2007
Date Posted: May 24, 2007 at 8:30 PM
I was thinking about that. My only concern is that I dont think my alternator is bad or too small. I mean my voltage never goes below 13.8 unless I use my A/C on max, which then it sometimes goes down to 13 volts. I just want to try and avoid paying alot of money for an ho alternator and go another route. Are voltage stabilizers even worth it?
Posted By: loosingmymind
Date Posted: May 27, 2007 at 8:42 PM
Without a new high output alt., I would try the KInetic HC600. It has the capabilities of an 100 farrad capacitor or 600 amps DC. That will help with your sound system at least.
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David Fancher
USACi World Finals 2006
4th Place SQ PRO 601+
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