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Basic Car Audio

Basic car audio electronics.

Overview:
This site will help you to understand basic electronics and some electronic devices. It will, of course, also touch on car audio acoustics and car audio equipment. To make the lessons as painless as possible, you'll find hundreds of diagrams and pictures, .wav files and more than 50 javascript calculators on the 125+ individual web pages. If you make even a modest effort, you'll learn more about car audio electronics than you ever thought possible.
Help Keep This Site Banner and Pop-Up Free

Number of Copies Price each $USD
1-25 $8
26-50 $5
50+ $3

Contributions:
Due to allegations of credit card fraud, I will no longer accept donations. I'm sorry about this but I can't defend myself from allegations of fraud if I don't actually ship something to the buyer.

NEWBIES:
If you're new to this site, please read everything on this page before venturing into the rest of the site.
Flash Demos and Javascript Calculators for YOUR Site:
If you want original calculators or Flash animations/demos for your site, Email me. The price will depend on complexity. It doesn't have to be related to electronics. All Flash material will be submitted for your approval before you pay anything. The only exception would be for very complex projects where I would require some sort of deposit.

Email:
If you email me for more specific information, Please do the following:
  • Do a search to see if the question is answered on the site.
  • Use proper grammar and punctuation (question marks). If you expect me to take time to answer your questions, the least you can do is make an effort to make the questions clear. Of course, if you're not from the 'states' and are not from a native english speaking country, just do your best. It's a shame that the email I get from outside the US has better grammar and sentence structure than the email I get from inside the US. :- (
  • Leave a blank line between the end of one question and the beginning of the next question. It makes it easier to read. It also makes sure that I see all of the questions.
  • If you email me multiple times and have a question about your system, list the equipment every time. I get a lot of email and can't always remember what you have.

Removing AD Banner:
If there's an advertising frame on the bottom of this page (there shouldn't be) and you want to remove it (recommended), click here. Bookmark the upcoming page for future reference.

Navigation:
To navigate the site you can either click on the links in the directory to the right or use the forward and back buttons on each page. If you found this page with a search engine and there is no directory to the right of this page, click here to go to the site's home page.

Sending Links:
If you want to send someone a link to one of the pages in the directory, right click on the desired link and left click on 'copy link location' or 'copy shortcut' in the drop down menu. This will copy the link to the windoze clipboard. You can use the 'paste' command or 'ctrl V' to paste the link into your outgoing message. This will provide a direct link to the appropriate page.

Changing Frame Width:
If you decide to use the forward and back buttons, put your mouse over the right border of this frame, click and drag the frame's border to the right to make this window larger.

Using 'ctrl-f':
If I sent you Email telling you to read certain pages, click in the 'directory's' frame to the right (but not on a link). This will set that frame as the active frame. Bring up the 'find' window by using 'ctrl f'. Then simply type in part of the name of the page that you need to read. You may not find the correct page the first time so just keep hitting the 'find next' button until you locate to the correct page.

Printing Pages of the Site:
To print pages of this site with Internet Explorer go to the toolbar (at the top of the page) and select... TOOLS, INTERNET OPTIONS, ADVANCED TAB, PRINTING and deselect the print backgrounds option. Then click inside the window with the content that you want to print to make the browser focus on the proper frame. The page should print with dark gray text and no background color. If you're using Netscape... Good luck. I use Netscape for browsing, but for some reason, I can't make it print right so I use IE for printing.

Flash Graphics:
Flash graphics have a few additional options when compared to static graphics. If you right click on any part of the graphic (not the transparent background), you will see a special menu. If you uncheck the 'play' command, the motion will stop. If you select 'zoom', you can zoom in on the image. When zoomed in, the standard cursor will change to a hand cursor when over the graphic. The hand allows you move the graphic around in the window.

Don't Cheat Yourself:
If you don't fully understand something, reread it. I don't believe that anyone (especially those who are new to car audio) will be able to fully understand everything here without having to reread more than a few pages. This information is based on my experience and should NOT be your only source of information. As a matter of fact, you should read everything that you can find on as many different sites as you can find. We all have slightly different perspectives and will explain things in different ways.

DISCLAIMER:
After reading this, it does NOT qualify you to install any audio or electronic equipment. This is only a VERY basic introduction into car audio electronics. I make every effort to insure that the information contained herein is accurate but I cannot be held responsible for any errors in text, calculators or graphics. Use the information provided at your own risk.
Try to follow the tutorial in order from top to bottom, I have tried to put everything in the most efficient order possible.

Guestbook
Use the guestbook for comments.
Use Email for questions. Questions Posted to the Guestbook will NOT be answered.


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If you want a topic added or have a question, E-mail me.
You can also contact me at: ICQ# 926828

Legend for Directory:
Graphics Page contains graphics
Calculator Page contains a javascript program
Search Engine Page contains a search engine
Test Questions Page contains test questions
Electronic Circuits Page contains electronics schematics
.wav files Page contains .wav files
Graphics Page contains a Flash demo
Importance:
1 dot... Important
5 dots... Extreeeeemely Important
Notice that the FUSES page has 6 dots.
 

© 1998-2003 Perry Babin All rights reserved
Site last updated: Today


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Basic Car Audio Electronics
  1. If there is no page to the left of this directory, CLICK HERE
  1. For ICON definitions, see the legend on the front page of the site.
  1. Directory

  1. Graphics Graphics
    Now Available
    Amplifier Repair Tutorial

  2. Graphics Graphics
    Electrons

  3. Graphics
    Voltage
    •••

  4. Graphics
    Volt
    •••

  5. Graphics
    Current
    •••

  6. Graphics
    Ampere
    •••

  7. Graphics Graphics
    Resistance
    ••••

  8. Calculator
    Ohm
    •••

  9. Graphics Graphics
    Circuit
    ••

  10. Graphics
    Power
    ••

  11. Calculator
    Watt
    ••

  12. Calculator Graphics Graphics
    Ohm's law
    ••••

  13. Graphics
    Ohm's Law with Basic Algebra
    ••••

  14. Graphics
    Fuses
    ••••••

  15. Graphics Graphics
    Circuit
    Breaker

  16. Calculator
    Wire
    ••••

  17. Graphics
    AC-DC
    ••

  18. Search Engine
    On-Site
    Search Engine

  19. Graphics Graphics
    Installation Primer
    •••••

  20. New Guestbook
    Use Email for questions. Questions Posted to the Guestbook will NOT be answered.

  21. Graphics
    Audio Output

  22. Graphics Graphics
    Head Unit

  23. Graphics Graphics
    Amplifiers

  24. Graphics Graphics
    Now Available
    Amplifier Repair Tutorial

  25. Graphics
    Amp Racks

  26. .wav files Graphics
    Frequency

  27. Graphics
    Crossover
    Slope Basics

  28. Graphics
    Equalizers

  29. Graphics .wav files
    Too Little
    Power

  30. Graphics
    Electronic Crossovers

  31. Calculator Graphics .wav files Graphics
    Speakers

  32. Graphics
    AUDIO REVIEW
    ••

  33. Graphics Graphics
    Diodes

  34. Calculator
    Milli-?

  35. Graphics Graphics
    Light
    Emitting
    Diodes

  36. Graphics Graphics
    Relays
    •••

  37. Graphics Graphics
    Volt-Ohm
    Milliammeter

  38. Calculator Graphics
    Series/Parallel
    Basics
    ••

  39. Calculator Graphics
    Resistors

  40. Graphics
    Potentiometers

  41. Graphics Graphics
    Switches

  42. Graphics
    Charging
    System
    Basics

  43. Graphics
    Speaker Resistance
    vs
    Speaker Impedance

  44. Graphics Graphics
    Spectrum Analyzer

  45. Graphics
    Tuning with RTA

  46. Calculator Graphics
    Capacitor

  47. Graphics
    Inductor

  48. Calculator
    Reactance

  49. Graphics
    Capacitor & Speaker

  50. Graphics
    Inductor & Speaker

  51. Graphics
    Amplifier Bridging

  52. Graphics
    Stereo
    vs
    Mono

  53. Graphics
    Tri-Mode
    Speaker
    Connection

  54. Calculator Graphics Graphics
    Passive
    Crossover

  55. Graphics
    Measuring
    AC Voltage

  56. Speaker Ratings

  57. Graphics
    Speaker
    Impedance
    vs
    Power
    Output

  58. Calculator Graphics
    Series/
    Parallel
    Impedance

  59. .wav files
    Total Harmonic Distortion

  60. Graphics
    Head Unit
    Bridged?

  61. Graphics
    RCA Cable

  62. Vehicle
    Chassis
    Ground

  63. Calculator Graphics Graphics
    Gain Controls

  64. Amplifier
    Heat Sink

  65. Graphics Graphics
    Cooling
    Fans

  66. PWM Fan
    Controller
    NEW

  67. Graphics
    Switching
    Power
    Supply

  68. Graphics
    Audio
    Reference
    Isolation

  69. Calculator
    Decibel

  70. Octave

  71. Graphics
    Bass & Treble

  72. Calculator Graphics
    Loudness Contour

  73. Graphics Graphics
    Oscilloscope

  74. Graphics
    Printed Circuits

  75. Graphics
    Tape Transport

  76. Graphics
    Cassette
    Tape Head

  77. Graphics
    Bipolar Transistor

  78. Graphics Graphics
    Transistor
    Example

  79. Graphics Graphics
    Field
    Effect
    Transistor
    (MOSFET)

  80. Soldering
    Technique

  81. Graphics Graphics
    Servo Loops

  82. Calculator Graphics Graphics
    Operational
    Amplifiers

  83. Graphics Graphics
    Transformer
    Ratio

  84. Graphics
    Electronic XO
    vs
    Passive XO
    ••

  85. Graphics
    PWM
    Power Supplies

  86. Graphics
    CD Player
    Operation

  87. Graphics
    Integrated
    Circuits

  88. Graphics
    Making Prototype Circuit Boards

  89. Graphics Graphics
    Rectification &
    Filtering

  90. Graphics
    Pre-amp Output
    Voltage

  91. Calculator Graphics
    Passive
    Crossover
    Slope II
    ••

  92. Calculator Graphics
    Impedance
    Calculations
    (advanced)

  93. Graphics
    Tri-mode
    Power

  94. Graphics
    Basic Audio
    Trouble-
    shooting
    ••

  95. Mechanical
    Noise

  96. Graphics
    Output Transistor
    Failure

  97. Output Impedance

  98. Calculator Graphics
    Damping Factor

  99. Graphics Graphics
    Amplifier
    Classes

  100. Graphics Graphics
    Regulated
    vs
    Unregulated
    Power Supplies

  101. Measuring
    Amplifier
    Output
    Power

  102. Graphics
    Controlling
    A Relay With
    A Switch

  103. Graphics
    Trouble-
    shooting
    With A
    Test Light

  104. High Current
    vs
    Non High Current

  105. Graphics
    Y-Cables

  106. Graphics
    System Diagrams

  107. Graphics
    Linear
    Actuators


  108. Details on Front Page of Site

  109. Calculator Graphics
    Basic Enclosure Calculations
    •••

  110. Graphics Graphics
    Covering Your Enclosure

  111. Graphics
    Working With Acrylic

  112. Graphics
    Fiberglass Enclosures

  113. Graphics
    High Pressure
    Laminate

  114. Graphics

    Speaker
    Response
    Curves

  115. Calculator Graphics
    Speaker
    Enclosure
    Calculations

  116. Calculator Graphics

    Speaker
    Parameter
    Calculations

  117. Graphics
    Battery
    Isolators

  118. Graphics
    Balanced
    Line Drivers

  119. Graphics
    Setting Gains With 'Scope

  120. Graphics
    DC Power Supplies

  121. Calculator Graphics
    L-pads

  122. Charging
    System Upgrades

  123. Calculator .wav files
    Signal To Noise
    Ratio

  124. Graphics
    Line Output
    Converters

  125. Graphics
    Ground Loop Isolators

  126. Graphics
    D/A Conversion
    Basics

  127. Graphics
    MP3 Basics

  128. Calculator Graphics
    Impedance
    Matching
    Transformers

  129. Test Questions Graphics
    Exit Exam :-)

  130. Links Page
    Links

  131. Electronic Circuits Graphics
    Circuits

  132. Graphics
    Home Theater Primer

  133. Graphics
    Home Theater Subwoofers

  134. Graphics
    Information Transfer

  135. Graphics
    DVD Player

  136. Graphics
    Home Theater Receivers

  137. Suggestions for
    getting equipment
    serviced

  1. If there is no page to the left of this directory, CLICK HERE