AudioBahn ACAP4P User manual

CYLINDER POWER CAPACITOR
ACAP4P
OPERATING INTSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE RETAIN MANUAL FOR FUTRE USE AND REFERENCE
QUALITY, RLIABILITY, & PURE BLISS

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
CHARGING / DISCHARGING
ADJUSTMENTS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
3
4
5
6
8
MOUNTING AND INSTALLATION 6
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

Capacitor Introduction
4
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.

Specifications

Capacitance
ACAP4P----------------------------------------------------------------------------1,000,000 microfarads (1 Farads)
Working Voltage
ACAP4P-----------------------------------------------------------------------------20V
Surge Voltage
ACAP4P-----------------------------------------------------------------------------24V
E.S.R. (Equivalent Series Resistance)----------------------------------0.0016 ohm @ 200 Hz / 25 C
Capacitance Tolerance------------------------------------------------------+/- 5%

Charging
6
WARNING!!!
Before making or breaking any electrical connections, please make sure
to read the following instructions on how to properly charge and discharge the
capacitor. Not following the charge / discharge instructions can lead to permanent
damage to the capacitor, which is not covered under the manufacturer warranty.
Charging
After mounting the capacitor in its final position, attach the ground to the
capacitor and the chassis grounding location. Next hold the supplied bulb between
the (+) positive battery lead and the (+) positive terminal of the capacitor. If using a
bulb, it should light up for a short time (normally 15-30 seconds or so) and then go
out. After waiting for the capacitor to charge, remove the bulb or resistor and
immediately attach the power (+) cable to the capacitor. The best way to ensure the
cap is charged best is to keep the bulb attached until you touch the main power (+)
wire to the capacitor, then remove it.

Discharging
7
Discharging
If you plan to store your vehicle or plan on not using the system for a long period
of time, we suggest to remove the capacitor. Anytime you disconnect the capacitor's power
wire from the battery, you need to properly discharge the capacitor. This is done by using
the same supplied bulb as you used for charging the capacitor. Take the bulb and place the
ends across the negative (-) and positive (+) terminals of the capacitor. This will cause the
capacitor to safely discharge so it can be stored away.

Installation and Mounting
8
For maximum performance, the capacitor should be installed as close to your amplifier(s)
as possible. The ideal location is one which allows for short wiring runs while keeping the capacitors
somewhat isolated from the heat created by the amplifier system. The positive (+) power wire should
be kept as short as possible and be connected to the amplifier's battery supply input. We
recommend that a high performance distribution block be used to create a splice into this cable (see
Fig. 1). You may also use the capacitor itself as a distribution block by adding multiple power wires
to the terminals located on the top of the capacitor.
No fuses should be installed in the wire between the capacitor and the amplifier system
(make sure there is an appropriate fuse at the battery in the main power supply cable). The
ground cable for the capacitor should also be made as short as possible and be connected directly
to the vehicle chassis at a bare metal location. Do not grounf the capacitor directly to the amplifier
ground terminal or ground cable. The capcitor and all other components in the system should be
grounded using separate ground cables. It is ok to ground them to the same point on the chassis or
frame, just not connected directly to eachother. (see Fig. 1) The positive (+) and negative (-) wires
for the capacitor should be the same gauge as the amplifier's power and ground cables.
Max24 inches to
amp reccomended
for power wire
Patent:DES423,503

Troubleshooting
9
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.

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.
Do not use the power amplifier unmounted. 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.
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]
10
WARNING

Audiobahn Consumer
Product Warranty Policy
Audiobahn products are manufactured with the highest quality components and some of
the most advanced technology available. Because of this, we recommend that you have
your new products installed by an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer.(A list of Authorized
Audiobahn Dealers can be found on our web page).
Warranty Period: One year from the original date of purchase.
Warranty Coverage:This warranty covers manufacturer defects only. The warranty is
applicable to the original purchaser, and is non-transferable. You must have a receipt from
an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer that shows the location of purchase, price paid, and
date of purchase.
(Products purchased by consumers from an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer outside the
United States, are covered only by that countries Distributor and not by Audiobahn).
Notes:
Complete subwoofer enclosures (Audiobahn will replace defective subwoofers,
plexiglass, or neon only. Do not send the entire enclosure, unless the enclosure is
defective itself. You must receive prior authorization and an RA# before sending in any
complete enclosure).
Audiobahn will only replace L.E.D.(s) found to be defective at the time of purchase.
Audiobahn warranties do not cover the following:
Any product not purchased from an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer (including Internet
dealers)
Damage caused by abuse, misuse, accident, water / flood, or theft (including any
cosmetic damage to the body of the product)
Damage caused by improper installation
Any cost or expense related to removal or reinstallation
Any unauthorized services
Any product that has the serial number removed, altered, or defaced
Subsequent damage to any other components
Pinched, cut, or stripped wires
Any product that is new, and/or found to be in working condition
L.E.D. indicators on electronics
Warranty
Technical Assistance [phone] /[e-mail]
11

How to receive warranty service:Contact your local Authorized Audiobahn Dealer, or call Audiobahn at
[phone] between the hours of 9:00 AMand 5:00 PMPST.
If you are having problems with your system, we recommend you check the product carefully and
thoroughly to confirm that the product truly has a manufacturer defect; as opposed to abuse, or other
components in the system causing the failure. This might include having an Authorized Audiobahn
Dealer look at the product to confirm the source of the problem. Any product found to have a
manufacturer defect will be replaced with a new piece of the same or similar model, or repaired at the
discretion of Audiobahn. Any product found to have no manufacturer defect will be returned to the sender
at their cost.
You must acquire a Return Authorization Number ( #) prior to returning ANY product to
Audiobahn. That Return Authorization Number (RA#) must be prominently and clearly marked on the
outside of the shipping carton, or product delivery will be refused (no exceptions will be made).
Please note:All shipping and handling (to and from) charges will be the sole responsibility of the
consumer.
Please record and keep your Return Authorization Number (RA#) in the event that further communication
is required.
Return Authorization Number (RA#):______________________________
Date product was sent:______________________________
Warranty Continued
4ECHNICAL!SSISTANCETECH AUDIOBAHNINCCOM
Brea, CA 92821
114 South Berry St.
Audiobahn Headquarters
Phone [phone] Fax. [phone]
Pacific Coast Time : 9am-5pm Mon. - Fri.
[email protected]
Contact Information
12