cackshifter Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Could you not feed through a diode, into a large capacitor, and on to your radio. There are I believe 1farad capacitors about. As the current is small, it would bridge the gap while you start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 Never thought of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 7 hours ago, cackshifter said: Could you not feed through a diode, into a large capacitor, and on to your radio. There are I believe 1farad capacitors about. As the current is small, it would bridge the gap while you start. I think I understand that. One way valve into a tank? If I knew I could see the display from the drivers seat, I'd get one of these: https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-stereos/alpine-ute-200bte-747174.html I think the Chinese units, though better in some respects, wouldn't last, nor produce enough sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 You shouldn't need the diode if you put the cap as close as possible to the radio. Any diode will need to be rated to handle the maximum current the radio can take regardless. I don't think you need to worry about visibility Gary. My experience is most of the time the problem is actually dimming them down enough for night time use. I think Mud sell a decent quality low profile radio with everything you want. It's cheaper elsewhere but you can find the part number from their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 Yes, I think a big 12v capacitor at the plug, and a new head unit, I should be sorted. Then I'll wire up the CB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 14 minutes ago, Gazzar said: Yes, I think a big 12v capacitor at the plug, and a new head unit, I should be sorted. Then I'll wire up the CB. The diode would just be to stop the cap from feeding other circuits, if there are none, as Ed says you don't need it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 41 minutes ago, Ed Poore said: You shouldn't need the diode if you put the cap as close as possible to the radio. Any diode will need to be rated to handle the maximum current the radio can take regardless. I don't think you need to worry about visibility Gary. My experience is most of the time the problem is actually dimming them down enough for night time use. I think Mud sell a decent quality low profile radio with everything you want. It's cheaper elsewhere but you can find the part number from their website. They've a JVC unit. £180 ish. More than I'll spend, to be honest. Does look nice, and the hitch camera idea appeals. The website doesn't like my phone, so I might have missed summit. I think I'll try the alpine unit. If I can see the display I'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 3 minutes ago, cackshifter said: The diode would just be to stop the cap from feeding other circuits, if there are none, as Ed says you don't need it The permanent live feeds from the battery/starter/alternator. Would the capacitor break any of those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 48 minutes ago, Gazzar said: Would the capacitor break any of those? Not a chance! On second thoughts - how old is your battery. The battery is a massive capacitor but they do drop quite low when cranking in order to deliver the currents required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 It's fairly new, only a decade old. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 The diode stops the cap being discharged back into the battery when you're cranking too - if it can pull the battery down to 9v it can pull the cap down to meet it without noticing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 Ah. Yes. That makes sense. What specification would do, and what can I cannibalise to find one? PC power supply? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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