Vehicle Voltage Stabilizing Module Using Supercapacitors

The performance of a passenger vehicle has been greatly improved recently owing to the intensive use of electronic controllers. Many components of a vehicle, including the engine, are controlled by electronic systems installed in the vehicle. Therefore, the electrical power required for such electronics has increased significantly. However, the electrical power generated by the vehicle`s alternator, operated by the engine, is limited, and when the vehicle is started, a large instantaneous current is required. The voltage of the vehicle electrical system fluctuates to a very low level, then, it is gradually recovered. This case is very severe and can even cause damage to electronic systems. In this study, a voltage-stabilizing module comprising electric double layer supercapacitors, which could alleviate the voltage variation, was developed and tested.