AudioBahn ACAP100Q User manual

HIGH PERFORMANCE RACK MOUNT
POWER CAPACITOR BANK
ACAP100Q ACAP300Q ACAP500Q

The Audiobahn Way
To bring the product to market that excites the consumer through
sound and vision from an orientation of integrity and customer service. We
make you look as good as you sound. We strive to take car audio to an
extreme the world has never seen, and a world that never stops evolving.
Audiobahn was established in 1997 with one long-term goal in mind,
"Build it Bigger, Badder, & Better, and the people will take notice!" We
back this statement with an engineering team that has brought home several
Innovations, Design & Engineering Showcase Awards, and a marketing team
from around the world that spends countless hours developing our no
compromise products to satisfy the most discriminating enthusiasts.
Our global manufacturing facilities feature ISO9002 ratings (the highest
level of quality control awarded in the electronics manufacturing industry), fully
robotic assembly lines and a state of the art, California basedR&D
laboratory.
Due to overwhelming response from our competitors, and our goal to
participate in even more events this year, we created *"TEAM AUDIOBAHN."
This organization is designed to create a support network along with shirts and
perks for team members. "TEAM AUDIOBAHN" is not only for the diehard
competitor, but also for anyone that loves car audio as much as we do. With
four levels of play, one is right for you to get started in the Audiobahn family.
Our Technical Department and entire staff look to strive above and
beyond the rest of the pack by going that extra mile to help you out. Whether
you happen to be a veteran competitor, or a beginner car audio enthusiast that
does not know a voice coil from a spider. We are all here to help you get the
best system you can with what you have.
Judge for yourself, and remember what it's all about, "If it's not
Bigger, Badder & Better, it's not Audiobahn." If audio is your life,
Audiobahn is the brand for you! We make you look as good as you sound.
People never stop trying to get the best product, so we will never stop making
it.
*To learn more about "TEAM AUDIOBAHN" please give us a call, see our website at
www.audiobahninc.com, or email us at [email protected] to learn about all the details.

INTRODUCTION
CAPACITOR INTRODUCTION
SPECIFICATIONS
INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING
ADJUSTMENTS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
3
4
5-6
7
8
WARNING / DISCLAIMER 9
WARRANTY 10-11
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
2

Introduction
Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of the worlds finest brand of car audio products. Here at
Audiobahn Inc. we are devoted to making our musical reproduction the very best, and we are
pleased you have chosen our product. Through years of engineering expertise, hand
craftsmanship, and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products that
reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you deserve.
For maximum performance we recommend you have your Audiobahn product installed by an
Authorized Audiobahn Dealer, as we provide specialized training through our Audiobahn
Installer Training Programs. Please read your warranty, keep your receipt, and original carton
for possible future use.
Great products and proper installation are only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to
your system. Make sure that your installer is using only 100% authentic installation accessories
from the Audiobahn Connections. The Audiobahn Connections line has everything ranging
from the smallest terminal, to power wires up to 0 gauge, and 4 channel RCA cables.
To get a free brochure on Audiobahn products and Audiobahn Connections in the U.S. call
[phone] or e-mail us at [email protected].
WARNING
Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels over 100 dB may cause
permanent hearing loss. High powered autosound systems may produce sound
pressure levels well over 135dB. Need we say more! Use common sense.
If after reading this manual, you still have questions regarding your product, we
recommend that you see your nearest Audiobahn Dealer. A list of Authorized
Audiobahn Dealers can be found on our web page. If you need further assistance, feel
free to call us at [phone] and ask for the Technical Department. Be sure to have
the model number, date of purchase, and invoice number available when you call.
The model number can be located on the outside of the carton. Record this in the space
provided below along with the date of purchase. It is a good idea to keep your receipt
with this, as you will need it in the case of a warranty repair or exchange.
Model Number:___________________ Date of Purchase: _____________________
3

Specifications
4
MODEL: ACAP100Q
1 FARAD DIGITAL CAPACITOR WITH BANK WITH BLUE DIGITAL VOLTAGE
DISPLAY, POSITIVE / NEGATIVE POLE CONNECTING BLOCK
Capacitance--------------------------------------------------------------------1,000,000 micro farad (1 Farad)
Working Voltage---------------------------------------------------------------24V DC
Surge Voltage------------------------------------------------------------------30V DC
E.S.R. (Equivalent Series Resistance)----------------------------------0.0012 ohm @ 120Hz / 25 C
Capacitance Tolerance------------------------------------------------------+/- 5%
MODEL: ACAP300Q
3 FARAD DIGITAL CAPACITOR WITH BANK WITH BLUE DIGITAL VOLTAGE
DISPLAY, POSITIVE / NEGATIVE POLE CONNECTING BLOCK
Capacitance--------------------------------------------------------------------3,000,000 micro farad (3 Farad)
Working Voltage---------------------------------------------------------------24V DC
Surge Voltage------------------------------------------------------------------30V DC
E.S.R. (Equivalent Series Resistance)----------------------------------0.0012 ohm @ 120Hz / 25 C
Capacitance Tolerance------------------------------------------------------+/- 5%
MODEL: ACAP500Q
5 FARAD DIGITAL CAPACITOR WITH BANK WITH BLUE DIGITAL VOLTAGE
DISPLAY, POSITIVE / NEGATIVE POLE CONNECTING BLOCK
Capacitance--------------------------------------------------------------------5,000,000 micro farad (5 Farad)
Working Voltage---------------------------------------------------------------24V DC
Surge Voltage------------------------------------------------------------------30V DC
E.S.R. (Equivalent Series Resistance)----------------------------------0.0012 ohm @ 120Hz / 25 C
Capacitance Tolerance------------------------------------------------------+/- 5%

Capacitor Introduction
5
When installed properly, your new stiffening capacitor will provide years of dependable
service. There are many benefits of adding a stiffening capacitor. The most significant benefit is the
capacitors ability to improve bass performance in your sound system. This is possible due to the
voltage stabilizing effects of the capacitor.
When an audio system needs to deliver an instantaneous bass peak, the vehicle's
electrical system often cannot provide enough power. This means that the system voltage drops
substantially to a point that the amplifiers are unable to produce their rated power. This is referred to
as clipping. When an amplifier clips, it will cause distortion and can cause amplifier and / or speaker
damage.
Stiffening capacitors are able to store large amounts of energy in preparation of these
bass peaks. When a bass peak occurs, the stiffening capacitor delivers power to supplement the
system voltage and prevent amplifier clipping. This retains amplifier output power, thus improving
bass response and increases amplifier and speaker life span.
Another beneficial effect of capacitors is their ability to filter the current produced by the
vehicle's alternator. This alternator current, can cause noise (alternator whine) in the audio system.
A capacitor will help reduce or eliminate this "alternator whine" and popping.
We recommend using 1 farad of capacitance for every 1000 watts of amplifier output. This
is a general rule of thumb and may be adjusted up or down depending on the efficiency, current
draw, and design of the amplifiers being used.

Installation and Mounting
6
Please refer to the following drawing to install screws into the mounting tabs of the capacitor's side rails.
Use the lock screws to mount the capacitor brackets to the vehicle. Make sure the capacitor is securely
mounted using all four brackets. Brackets are supplied with all rack mount amplifiers.

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Troubleshooting
12
Should you encounter a problem with your capacitor, you can follow the steps below to
make sure that it is working properly.
1. Follow all power (+) and ground (-) connections to and from the capacitor. Make sure
there are no kinks in the wire and no cuts either. If there is a problem in the wiring, make sure to use
new wire and place the wire in a good location where it will not be roughed up and abused.
2. If using a capacitor with a digital display, you can visually check the capacitor to see if it
is functioning correctly. After charging the capacitor with the provided bulb, remove the bulb and
attach the power wire. If the volt-meter changes slowly, then the capacitor is properly holding the
charge. If the display rapidly decreases and shuts off, then the cap is not properly holding a charge.
3. In the case that you find that step 2 shows your capacitor is not holding a charge, you
may want to take the capacitor to an authorized dealer to have them run a capacitance test on the
capacitor.

The +12V DC power wire must be fused at the battery positive terminal connection.
Before making or breaking power connections at the system power terminals,
disconnect the +12V wire at the battery end. Confirm your radio/head unit and/or other
equiptment is turned off while connecting the input jacks and speaker terminals.
If you need to replace the power fuse, replace it only with a fuse identical to that
supplied with the system. Using a fuse of different type or rating may result in damage to
this system which is not covered by the warranty.
Disclaimer
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
For the most updated Specifications call Audiobahn,
or your local Authorized Audiobahn Dealer,
or check the Audiobahn website.
www.audiobahninc.com
Warning / Disclaimer
Technical Assistance(800)488-8595 /[e-mail]
13
WARNING
Investigate the layout of your automobile thoroughly before drilling or cutting any holes.
Take care when you work near the gas tanks, gas lines, hydraulic lines, and electrical
wiring. Attach the system securely to the automobile to prevent damage, particularly in
the event of an accident. Do not mount the system so that the wire connections are
unprotected or are subject to pinching or damage from nearby objects.

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