Caps (in general) have the capacity (hence the name) to, however briefly (literally, in nsec and less), store energy, and then, as a circuit dictates, release that energy. Others types can store energy for much longer. None can pass DC.
In a nutshell, these attributes can be exploited in a variety of ways.
For instance, if you want to pass an AC signal (say, that from a microphone) to an amplifying circuit, but you DO NOT want to pass a DC component with it (since that would alter biasing of the component receiving the signal) you place a cap in between the two. For this you would use a "non-polarized" cap.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor
On the other hand, some caps can store energy for quite some time (months, even). The are generally referred as
electrolytics).
Also defined in the above link.
In this case, i.e., the adapter we've been working on, which has two electrolytics (as evidenced by the + and - designations on the ends), are used to "fill in" minor fluctuations in DC levels, known as
ripple (low frequency AC "noise") that can occur on that DC voltage. In this case, that noise might come from the alternator (or the DC to AC to DC conversion element of the circuit), and work its way through to, for instance, an iPod such that there would be an annoying "hum" in the earphone. The cap would help eliminate that "noise".
This is by no means all that caps are useful for.
They're a device (and a concept) that pervades practically ALL aspects of electronic design.
Muddy enough??
I notice you have Z1 where the In5819silver/black diode was, how come thats changed?
How did you get the value in C1, I don't know how to alter it
Same again for L2
IN4007 rec has changed to IN1183?
1. KISS noticed that it needed to be a zener
2. From you, I thought
3. same a 2.
4. Again, KISS. He pointed out that the 1N1183 was a better choice. I don't know what's in the acutual circuit. Diode type, I don't think, made a significant change to the circuit. I'll check the sim. (EDIT: changing the 1N1183 to 1N4007 made no
apparent difference in the circuit. Have yet to put a 'scope on the whole thing. Do that later.)
You can alter component values in TINA TI by double clicking on the component and changing the number in the "Capacitance" section (same with resistors, etc.)
BTW, notice the addition of symbols (for this site, not TINA),
Ω (my fav),
μ,
κ,
≈,
±, etc. next to the "Reply" window. Very handy.