What is a "voltage Damper"
 

Hello, does any know what a "voltage damper" is?

What does it do?

Can it go bad?

Is it part of the charging system? Intricate to it?

I think the part # is LJB3743B or AB
but that says lead Link, is that the same as a voltage damper?
This part (voltage damper) is part of the alternator wire harness. Between alternator and the main fuse box.

Thanks for replies and
Happy Motoring...

Sounds like another description of the term "voltage regulator", which would serve to avoid excessive current/voltage from the alternator to the car's electrical systems, especially where the alternator (and car) are running at speed.

If that's the case, it would be both intricate and essential to the charging, and all other electrical systems.

Hopefully others will give you better information.

Hi, I think the voltage regulator is built into the alternator. I think when you get a new alternator you get a new regulator built into the alternator.
Please correct me if I am wrong!

The voltage damper is listed as a separate part from the alternator.

So I think it may be a different part.
Thanks for the reply.

Happy Motoring...

LJB3743AB is the lead link (a.k.a. wire) to the alternator suppression module (a.k.a. voltage damper) part number LJA1820AA .

From JTIS:
"Although the output from the generator is finely controlled and relatively smooth, it is still a pulsed DC output at a varying frequency proportional to engine speed.The suppression module damps out any ripple which may be sensed on the main output of the generator. This prevents possible interference via the power supply, affecting the radio reception or, where fitted, the telephone.The module is located on the right hand side of the engine compartment adjacent to the generator. It is secured to a mounting bracket by three bolts. The mounting bracket is bolted to the inner panel, just above the chassis leg. The illustration shows the suppression module viewed from below the vehicle.A fuse is fitted internally to the suppression module to protect the generator output in the event of a short circuit within the suppression module."

Originally posted by WhiteXKR
That was the only other thing i could find.

But he says it's part of the alternator wiring harness, which threw me.

Now your on the case i will happily defer to your superior knowledge WhiteXKR (since i couldn't even get my cam covers off without your help :D)

Superior knowledge only comes from making superior errors first.:icon_doh:

I'm still going through the superior errors stage, and don't hold your breath for the superior knowledge to surface :D

+1 :icon_doh: :icon_ditto:

Damper/condensor/capacitor

Aaaaah, obviously an expert. :D

I'm thinking of changing my user name to OOflungdung.

Since i know zilch, can't do the simplest things without help, and talk so much of the last bit of my desired username.

Howdy Folks:
As I remember from the sixties, when aftermarket car stereos started getting popular, I rigged some homebrew dampers (line filters) that incorporated both voltage dampers (condensers from line to ground) and current dampers (chokes/coils in line ) that actually did reduce or eliminate noise.

Indeed they do. I'm more used to names like "low pass filter" or "noise filter" for such stuff, but if Jaguar prefes "damper", hey, they could call it Shirley if they wanted to ...

Pyramid and others still make such coil+capacitor filters. A little OT, but my MGA has -- I'm not making this up -- a mechanical voltage regulator. A relay sits there vibrating with its on/off times creating the regulation. A very dirty voltage source is what you get. Without a noise filter, a modern radio in this car gets in trouble in a hurry.

Well, having spent half an hour looking at the electrics I believe this is a figment.
There's nothing in the JTIS electrical called 'supression' and the only ref. to 'damper' is the active shock absorbers.
The output from the alternator goes to the starter motor and then through a 250 A fuse to the battery.
I'd guess each module has its own internal filtering which needn't be much more than a capacitor.
'Generator Hash' was a real problem on vehicles fitted with a dynamo which generated all sorts of nasty harmonics. It was a particular problem for vehicle using high power transmitters but seems to have gone away with alternators.

Post #4, this thread, gives the JTIS info.

This component does not appear to be in 4.2 cars, maybe the alternator is a better design or more likely economics!

See diagram for 2002 4.0 below:

Aaah, that explains it - I looked in the JTIS for my car.

Voltage Damper LJA-1820AA is 22000uF Condenser
 

I got my hands to one and opened it

Phillips Condensator 22000uF and 50 volts :)

It can be found from JTIS "Electrical - 415-01 Audio Unit - Removal and Installation - Capacitor " Articale 86.10.33

Might my Harman Kardon Premium Audio bass distortion problems (on high volume) be caused by this (if my 98 car has bad one)?

Part is engine bay right front next to air Condencer Drier

For images check
http://1drv.ms/1qq4xqw
http://1drv.ms/1qq4GtV

Br,
T

Only if the distortion changes with the changes in the throttle application.

That's a big capacitor and can store quite a bit of energy. The audio output can draw a large current during high volume peaks - for those events this capacitor will supply enough current for a few milliseconds.
It's possible that a failed (open-circuit, they can literally dry out) capacitor could cause distortion - possibly :icon_smile: .