I think I opened a big old can of worms
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
I think I opened a big old can of worms
I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left them
after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out. After
3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
Where does the tac get its signal from?
What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
are between the fender and the battery?
Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
Scott
90YJ
4.2L AX15
CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left them
after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out. After
3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
Where does the tac get its signal from?
What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
are between the fender and the battery?
Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
Scott
90YJ
4.2L AX15
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
The tach on a YJ 258 gets it's signal from the computer.
I was told you can just move the tach pickup wire to the coil to finish
dumping the computer in the garbage.
On a CJ7 258, the tach is inline with the ignition module power.
One of those relays powers up the manifold heater and tags the electric
choke via the oil pressure switch. The other one 'might' be an idle
relay to turn on the sol-vac for an auto or air. It would need the
computer working to fire.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Foot Loose wrote:
>
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out. After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
I was told you can just move the tach pickup wire to the coil to finish
dumping the computer in the garbage.
On a CJ7 258, the tach is inline with the ignition module power.
One of those relays powers up the manifold heater and tags the electric
choke via the oil pressure switch. The other one 'might' be an idle
relay to turn on the sol-vac for an auto or air. It would need the
computer working to fire.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Foot Loose wrote:
>
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out. After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
The tach on a YJ 258 gets it's signal from the computer.
I was told you can just move the tach pickup wire to the coil to finish
dumping the computer in the garbage.
On a CJ7 258, the tach is inline with the ignition module power.
One of those relays powers up the manifold heater and tags the electric
choke via the oil pressure switch. The other one 'might' be an idle
relay to turn on the sol-vac for an auto or air. It would need the
computer working to fire.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Foot Loose wrote:
>
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out. After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
I was told you can just move the tach pickup wire to the coil to finish
dumping the computer in the garbage.
On a CJ7 258, the tach is inline with the ignition module power.
One of those relays powers up the manifold heater and tags the electric
choke via the oil pressure switch. The other one 'might' be an idle
relay to turn on the sol-vac for an auto or air. It would need the
computer working to fire.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Foot Loose wrote:
>
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out. After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
Easiest way to eliminate non-RF electrical noise (at least that I have
found) is to use a .1uf mylar cap to ground from the B+ line. It helps to
add one at the closest practical point to the radio, and others at the
offending devices (motors/alternators) be sure to restrain the cap properly,
and insulate the leads.
Not perfect, but simple, and eliminates most noise sources.
tach picks up signal from switched side of coil.
"Foot Loose" <footloose61@ NOSPAM hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:NGw7b.7831$cQ1.2249605@kent.svc.tds.net...
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left
them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out.
After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
>
>
found) is to use a .1uf mylar cap to ground from the B+ line. It helps to
add one at the closest practical point to the radio, and others at the
offending devices (motors/alternators) be sure to restrain the cap properly,
and insulate the leads.
Not perfect, but simple, and eliminates most noise sources.
tach picks up signal from switched side of coil.
"Foot Loose" <footloose61@ NOSPAM hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:NGw7b.7831$cQ1.2249605@kent.svc.tds.net...
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left
them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out.
After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
>
>
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
Easiest way to eliminate non-RF electrical noise (at least that I have
found) is to use a .1uf mylar cap to ground from the B+ line. It helps to
add one at the closest practical point to the radio, and others at the
offending devices (motors/alternators) be sure to restrain the cap properly,
and insulate the leads.
Not perfect, but simple, and eliminates most noise sources.
tach picks up signal from switched side of coil.
"Foot Loose" <footloose61@ NOSPAM hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:NGw7b.7831$cQ1.2249605@kent.svc.tds.net...
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left
them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out.
After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
>
>
found) is to use a .1uf mylar cap to ground from the B+ line. It helps to
add one at the closest practical point to the radio, and others at the
offending devices (motors/alternators) be sure to restrain the cap properly,
and insulate the leads.
Not perfect, but simple, and eliminates most noise sources.
tach picks up signal from switched side of coil.
"Foot Loose" <footloose61@ NOSPAM hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:NGw7b.7831$cQ1.2249605@kent.svc.tds.net...
> I have been having a lot of problems with a whining noise in my radio and
> CB. I've put a filter on the power lines and hooked it directly to the
> battery with no luck. So being the "I want to fix it all" type of guy, I
> started looking under the hood for a bad ground. Well I have replaced the
> engine, carb, distributor, and gotten rid of all the emissions stuff and
> there were a lot of connectors tie rapped to the fire wall where I left
them
> after disconnecting them. Well I started to pull the unused wires out.
After
> 3 hours and a couple of dozen wires the Jeep started. The only problem is
> the Tac will not work, so here are my questions:
>
> Where does the tac get its signal from?
>
> What are the 2 relays, 2 capped connectors, and 4 wire circuit board that
> are between the fender and the battery?
>
> Next I want to go under the dash and remove the computer and all the crap
> under there, what is the easiest way to get it out??
>
> Well I'm back to it tomorrow, thanks in advance for all advice.
>
> Scott
> 90YJ
> 4.2L AX15
>
>
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:nXP7b.48498$Qy4.27613@fed1read05...
> Electrical noise or sound is AC (alternating current) and a capacitor
passes
> AC and blocks DC. So if you connect a capacitor between the + power lead
> and ground, the capacitor will pass the AC noise component riding on the
DC
> voltage to ground.
>
> A capacitor with a rating of 25 volts or higher will be fine.
Electrolytic
> capacitors are the best type for this application... you can tell an
> electrolytic capacitor by the leads being marked + and -. The bigger the
> capacitor, the better filtration it provides.
An electrolytic cap may not have a low enough ESR (equivalent series
resistance) at the frequency of interest... they are also polarized, so
if you hook one up backwards, you will either have not much capacitance
(best case) or it will explode like a firecracker (what usually happens).
Best thing to do is to put *both* a big e-lytic and a small (.1uF) cap
across the alternator output (big red wire) and ground. There are special
caps called 'feedthrough' that can be spliced into the big wire and
grounded.
You really should first determine whether the noise is coming in the antenna
lead, or the power supply wire. This is easily done by disconnecting the
antenna and seeing if any improvement is noticed. If this helps, you need
to address the noise at the source, usually the alternator or
distributor/coil.
If the noise is coming in the power lead, you can install a noise
suppressor,
available at Rat Shak. This consists of an inductor (like a transformer, a
coil of wire around a piece of iron) that will allow DC to pass but blocks
AC. You put it in series with the power lead going to the radio, follow
the directions.
__
Steve
..
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:nXP7b.48498$Qy4.27613@fed1read05...
> Electrical noise or sound is AC (alternating current) and a capacitor
passes
> AC and blocks DC. So if you connect a capacitor between the + power lead
> and ground, the capacitor will pass the AC noise component riding on the
DC
> voltage to ground.
>
> A capacitor with a rating of 25 volts or higher will be fine.
Electrolytic
> capacitors are the best type for this application... you can tell an
> electrolytic capacitor by the leads being marked + and -. The bigger the
> capacitor, the better filtration it provides.
An electrolytic cap may not have a low enough ESR (equivalent series
resistance) at the frequency of interest... they are also polarized, so
if you hook one up backwards, you will either have not much capacitance
(best case) or it will explode like a firecracker (what usually happens).
Best thing to do is to put *both* a big e-lytic and a small (.1uF) cap
across the alternator output (big red wire) and ground. There are special
caps called 'feedthrough' that can be spliced into the big wire and
grounded.
You really should first determine whether the noise is coming in the antenna
lead, or the power supply wire. This is easily done by disconnecting the
antenna and seeing if any improvement is noticed. If this helps, you need
to address the noise at the source, usually the alternator or
distributor/coil.
If the noise is coming in the power lead, you can install a noise
suppressor,
available at Rat Shak. This consists of an inductor (like a transformer, a
coil of wire around a piece of iron) that will allow DC to pass but blocks
AC. You put it in series with the power lead going to the radio, follow
the directions.
__
Steve
..
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
Approximately 9/10/03 18:00, Michael Vincenty uttered for posterity:
> Hey, maybe you can offer me a bit of assistance on a similar problem (not a
> Jeep - sorry). I too have been trouble-shooting a similar problem with an
> 89 GMC C1500 which has an alternator whine coming from the radio (changes
> with engine RPMs).
>
> The factory service manual says to try and install a 250 MFD (100 V)
> capacitor on the alternator output lead and/or brown field wire to the
> ground. I tried this and it did not work. If I am reading your post
> correctly, you are recommending installing a .1 microfarad capacitor on the
> battery postive lead into the radio and ground (as close as possible to the
> radio as possible). Is that correct? Does voltage matter as long as it is
> at least 12 volts? Do you know how installing a capacitor works to
> eliminate the whine (just was wondering)?
Two problems with a capacitor as big as 250 mfd. One is that unless
it is non-polarized [as in an audio specialty capacitor] it is too
easy to put in backwards... which is no biggie as unless it is
a non-polarized one, it acts as a rectifier and not a capacitor
for roughly one-half the noise. It is also a bit large, but I
doubt if it presents much of a load on the alternator. The other
problem with large caps like this is that they tend to be bothered
by heat more... and even worse, if it is a Tantalum cap, if it
ever fails it has roughly as good odds failing to a short
as it does to an open. Knock wood if it fails to a short it
is wimpy enough the alternator/battery combination turns it
into a flashbulb for a few seconds, then it is out of the
circuit.
The only cost effective way to make really big capacitor values
is to make electrolytic types. Normal ones are polarized and
not particularly good under heat. If you have an audio specialty
shop in the area, swap that cap with a 250 Microfarad Non-polarized
capacitor with at least a 50 volt rating. These are often found
in speaker crossover networks.
And with a cap that large, you then need to bypass the cap with
an RF passing cap.... a .1 to .01 microfarad plastic works reasonably
well, again get at least a 50 volter. Mylar, polystyrene, etc.
For alternator whine, it usually works better to tie several .1
or even .01 mfd mylars from +12 to ground along the power path
to the radio. SOMETIMES you can use very short jumpers to try
spots to mount them, just stick one lead on the +12 and the
other to a nice clean ground. The good news about these is
that they are non-polarized.
Warning that sometimes you also get RF from the alternator
radiated to the antenna wiring if that antenna wiring is at
all loose and/or poorly grounded. You can safely bypass
the *outer* conductor of a coax antenna lead to ground,
but don't try it with the center lead.
Warning that bypassing audio noise is as much black magic
and luck as science.
> Hey, maybe you can offer me a bit of assistance on a similar problem (not a
> Jeep - sorry). I too have been trouble-shooting a similar problem with an
> 89 GMC C1500 which has an alternator whine coming from the radio (changes
> with engine RPMs).
>
> The factory service manual says to try and install a 250 MFD (100 V)
> capacitor on the alternator output lead and/or brown field wire to the
> ground. I tried this and it did not work. If I am reading your post
> correctly, you are recommending installing a .1 microfarad capacitor on the
> battery postive lead into the radio and ground (as close as possible to the
> radio as possible). Is that correct? Does voltage matter as long as it is
> at least 12 volts? Do you know how installing a capacitor works to
> eliminate the whine (just was wondering)?
Two problems with a capacitor as big as 250 mfd. One is that unless
it is non-polarized [as in an audio specialty capacitor] it is too
easy to put in backwards... which is no biggie as unless it is
a non-polarized one, it acts as a rectifier and not a capacitor
for roughly one-half the noise. It is also a bit large, but I
doubt if it presents much of a load on the alternator. The other
problem with large caps like this is that they tend to be bothered
by heat more... and even worse, if it is a Tantalum cap, if it
ever fails it has roughly as good odds failing to a short
as it does to an open. Knock wood if it fails to a short it
is wimpy enough the alternator/battery combination turns it
into a flashbulb for a few seconds, then it is out of the
circuit.
The only cost effective way to make really big capacitor values
is to make electrolytic types. Normal ones are polarized and
not particularly good under heat. If you have an audio specialty
shop in the area, swap that cap with a 250 Microfarad Non-polarized
capacitor with at least a 50 volt rating. These are often found
in speaker crossover networks.
And with a cap that large, you then need to bypass the cap with
an RF passing cap.... a .1 to .01 microfarad plastic works reasonably
well, again get at least a 50 volter. Mylar, polystyrene, etc.
For alternator whine, it usually works better to tie several .1
or even .01 mfd mylars from +12 to ground along the power path
to the radio. SOMETIMES you can use very short jumpers to try
spots to mount them, just stick one lead on the +12 and the
other to a nice clean ground. The good news about these is
that they are non-polarized.
Warning that sometimes you also get RF from the alternator
radiated to the antenna wiring if that antenna wiring is at
all loose and/or poorly grounded. You can safely bypass
the *outer* conductor of a coax antenna lead to ground,
but don't try it with the center lead.
Warning that bypassing audio noise is as much black magic
and luck as science.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
Approximately 9/10/03 18:00, Michael Vincenty uttered for posterity:
> Hey, maybe you can offer me a bit of assistance on a similar problem (not a
> Jeep - sorry). I too have been trouble-shooting a similar problem with an
> 89 GMC C1500 which has an alternator whine coming from the radio (changes
> with engine RPMs).
>
> The factory service manual says to try and install a 250 MFD (100 V)
> capacitor on the alternator output lead and/or brown field wire to the
> ground. I tried this and it did not work. If I am reading your post
> correctly, you are recommending installing a .1 microfarad capacitor on the
> battery postive lead into the radio and ground (as close as possible to the
> radio as possible). Is that correct? Does voltage matter as long as it is
> at least 12 volts? Do you know how installing a capacitor works to
> eliminate the whine (just was wondering)?
Two problems with a capacitor as big as 250 mfd. One is that unless
it is non-polarized [as in an audio specialty capacitor] it is too
easy to put in backwards... which is no biggie as unless it is
a non-polarized one, it acts as a rectifier and not a capacitor
for roughly one-half the noise. It is also a bit large, but I
doubt if it presents much of a load on the alternator. The other
problem with large caps like this is that they tend to be bothered
by heat more... and even worse, if it is a Tantalum cap, if it
ever fails it has roughly as good odds failing to a short
as it does to an open. Knock wood if it fails to a short it
is wimpy enough the alternator/battery combination turns it
into a flashbulb for a few seconds, then it is out of the
circuit.
The only cost effective way to make really big capacitor values
is to make electrolytic types. Normal ones are polarized and
not particularly good under heat. If you have an audio specialty
shop in the area, swap that cap with a 250 Microfarad Non-polarized
capacitor with at least a 50 volt rating. These are often found
in speaker crossover networks.
And with a cap that large, you then need to bypass the cap with
an RF passing cap.... a .1 to .01 microfarad plastic works reasonably
well, again get at least a 50 volter. Mylar, polystyrene, etc.
For alternator whine, it usually works better to tie several .1
or even .01 mfd mylars from +12 to ground along the power path
to the radio. SOMETIMES you can use very short jumpers to try
spots to mount them, just stick one lead on the +12 and the
other to a nice clean ground. The good news about these is
that they are non-polarized.
Warning that sometimes you also get RF from the alternator
radiated to the antenna wiring if that antenna wiring is at
all loose and/or poorly grounded. You can safely bypass
the *outer* conductor of a coax antenna lead to ground,
but don't try it with the center lead.
Warning that bypassing audio noise is as much black magic
and luck as science.
> Hey, maybe you can offer me a bit of assistance on a similar problem (not a
> Jeep - sorry). I too have been trouble-shooting a similar problem with an
> 89 GMC C1500 which has an alternator whine coming from the radio (changes
> with engine RPMs).
>
> The factory service manual says to try and install a 250 MFD (100 V)
> capacitor on the alternator output lead and/or brown field wire to the
> ground. I tried this and it did not work. If I am reading your post
> correctly, you are recommending installing a .1 microfarad capacitor on the
> battery postive lead into the radio and ground (as close as possible to the
> radio as possible). Is that correct? Does voltage matter as long as it is
> at least 12 volts? Do you know how installing a capacitor works to
> eliminate the whine (just was wondering)?
Two problems with a capacitor as big as 250 mfd. One is that unless
it is non-polarized [as in an audio specialty capacitor] it is too
easy to put in backwards... which is no biggie as unless it is
a non-polarized one, it acts as a rectifier and not a capacitor
for roughly one-half the noise. It is also a bit large, but I
doubt if it presents much of a load on the alternator. The other
problem with large caps like this is that they tend to be bothered
by heat more... and even worse, if it is a Tantalum cap, if it
ever fails it has roughly as good odds failing to a short
as it does to an open. Knock wood if it fails to a short it
is wimpy enough the alternator/battery combination turns it
into a flashbulb for a few seconds, then it is out of the
circuit.
The only cost effective way to make really big capacitor values
is to make electrolytic types. Normal ones are polarized and
not particularly good under heat. If you have an audio specialty
shop in the area, swap that cap with a 250 Microfarad Non-polarized
capacitor with at least a 50 volt rating. These are often found
in speaker crossover networks.
And with a cap that large, you then need to bypass the cap with
an RF passing cap.... a .1 to .01 microfarad plastic works reasonably
well, again get at least a 50 volter. Mylar, polystyrene, etc.
For alternator whine, it usually works better to tie several .1
or even .01 mfd mylars from +12 to ground along the power path
to the radio. SOMETIMES you can use very short jumpers to try
spots to mount them, just stick one lead on the +12 and the
other to a nice clean ground. The good news about these is
that they are non-polarized.
Warning that sometimes you also get RF from the alternator
radiated to the antenna wiring if that antenna wiring is at
all loose and/or poorly grounded. You can safely bypass
the *outer* conductor of a coax antenna lead to ground,
but don't try it with the center lead.
Warning that bypassing audio noise is as much black magic
and luck as science.
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: I think I opened a big old can of worms
Approximately 9/10/03 18:09, Jerry Bransford uttered for posterity:
> Electrical noise or sound is AC (alternating current) and a capacitor passes
> AC and blocks DC. So if you connect a capacitor between the + power lead
> and ground, the capacitor will pass the AC noise component riding on the DC
> voltage to ground.
>
> A capacitor with a rating of 25 volts or higher will be fine. Electrolytic
> capacitors are the best type for this application... you can tell an
> electrolytic capacitor by the leads being marked + and -. The bigger the
> capacitor, the better filtration it provides.
>
Polarized electrolytics are bypass caps for one direction of flow
and rectifiers in the other. A quick and dirty way to solve this
is to parallel two with leads reversed... and oddly enough you can
also series connect them with the two negative leads, but you get
half the capacitance. Personally I'd go for 2.5 times max voltage
which gets closer to 50 volt than 24, with 100 volts not being
overkill. And normally recommend bypassing any electrolytic
with a .01 or so mylar, etc.
> Electrical noise or sound is AC (alternating current) and a capacitor passes
> AC and blocks DC. So if you connect a capacitor between the + power lead
> and ground, the capacitor will pass the AC noise component riding on the DC
> voltage to ground.
>
> A capacitor with a rating of 25 volts or higher will be fine. Electrolytic
> capacitors are the best type for this application... you can tell an
> electrolytic capacitor by the leads being marked + and -. The bigger the
> capacitor, the better filtration it provides.
>
Polarized electrolytics are bypass caps for one direction of flow
and rectifiers in the other. A quick and dirty way to solve this
is to parallel two with leads reversed... and oddly enough you can
also series connect them with the two negative leads, but you get
half the capacitance. Personally I'd go for 2.5 times max voltage
which gets closer to 50 volt than 24, with 100 volts not being
overkill. And normally recommend bypassing any electrolytic
with a .01 or so mylar, etc.