How to possibly increase the Usefullness and/or Accuracy of electronics

After extensive research, design, and many years of use and operation, ZRD has developed a knowledge that not all instruments may be used or taken at face value. The two examples below show how simple and inexpensive ($1 - $15) user modifications (should be done by manufacturers, or suggested in installation instructions) will result in more usefulness of a piece of equipment or a more accurate instrument reading. In both examples, beneficial and proper results were obtained by simply adding a proper capacitor to the circuitry. Adding a capacitor(s) is a very common remedy for problematic AC circuitry.


Genset capacitors Pictured at left is a custom installation option we performed to increase net output (155%) of the inverter/charger when operating off of the genset vs extremely stable, mega-$, pure sine-wave shore power. The net result is that charging capacity is almost identical (~ 85-90%) whether 120vac is being provided by shore or genset power. This feature is beneficial to all items using 120 vac, but is most noticeable on sensitive electronic components.

In simple terms - The charger went from averaging 140 amps/hour when running on shore power down to 80 A/H when running on the genset supplied 120vac back up to 130 A/H after adding the capacitors and running on the genset supplied "new" 120vac!


Blue Seas capacitor Pictured at left is another custom installation option we performed to reduce inaccurate displays (seen as much as 35%) on a Blue Seas 8247 AC Multimeter. Before the modification, the instrument would pick up (via 8247's current transformer) useless harmonics that exist in lines (most common when using a battery charger) and exaggerates the actual usefull load (amps). After the modification, the 8247's readings were within (agreed) 5-15% (situation dependent) of accurate clamp on current reading instruments.