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20dcv capacitor blowing fuses


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c3d 
Copper - Posts: 45
Copper spacespace
Joined: February 05, 2005
Location: Canada
Posted: October 26, 2011 at 5:44 PM / IP Logged  
Im installing a capacitor in my 2002 audi s4. Ive had a sub and amp working for over a year. I just picked up a capacitor to help out a little. but when I installed it, it keeps blowing fuses!
Current setup:
8 gauge wire from batter (with 60 amp inline fuse) to trunk connects to positive of capacitor
4 gauge wire from positive of capacitor to positive of amp
8 gauge wire from amp negative to capacitor negative
4 gauge wire from capacitor negative to ground in trunk (that ive been using for over a year)
Yet every time i reconnect the negative on the battery, the fuse blows. Anyone have any ideas?
**edit: also remember, as the title says, the capacitor says 20dcv. Which im beginning to think may not be suitable for my car?
1987 Nissan 300ZX N/A
1994 Audi 90 Quattro CS
oldspark 
Gold - Posts: 4,913
Gold spacespace
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location: Australia
Posted: October 26, 2011 at 9:14 PM / IP Logged  
Yes - read its instructions....
It should tell you to pre-charge it - ie, through a resistor, else a headlight or bulb etc.
An uncharged capacitor is like a dead-short when connected across a voltage.
As it charges, its current drops.
Your cap's initial charge current is more than what your fuses tolerate.
The 20VDC is merely a "voltage withstand" rating - ie, it will handle up to 20V.
Strange to see the different wire gauges used...
At least match the amp inputs - ie, amp- to 4G.
Usually fatter gauges are used for the longer runs to minimise resistance, however sometimes the shorter runs are fatter since they are cheaper. Both assume the smallest gauge is rated for the required current.
& FYI - in general, AGM batteries are more effective than caps (ie, an AGM battery is usually placed next to the amp rather than a cap).
i am an idiot 
Platinum - Posts: 13,670
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: September 21, 2006
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: October 26, 2011 at 9:27 PM / IP Logged  
I am betting you have a faulty capacitor.  The "Charging Instructions"  for a capacitor is only so you do not arc the pretty terminal on your capacitor or your battery. 
z03mz03m 
Copper - Posts: 244
Copper spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: January 09, 2010
Location: Delaware, United States
Posted: October 26, 2011 at 9:29 PM / IP Logged  
Do yourself a favor and return the cap and get a small battery instead. I just installed a 2F cap on my system because I had it...it was a waste of my time just like I have read on here over and over again. my amps are a total of 1000W RMS and class D ICE, the most efficient amplifiers on the market.
Dodge Magnum in progress:
Pioneer DEH-80PRS - PPI Amps - Dayton Subwoofer(s) - Exodus Anarchy's - Vifa Tweeters - Kinetik Battery
oldspark 
Gold - Posts: 4,913
Gold spacespace
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location: Australia
Posted: October 27, 2011 at 4:05 AM / IP Logged  
i am an idiot wrote:
...is only so you do not arc the pretty terminal on your capacitor or your battery.
IOW, high current.
I like welding caps to beams. Welding requires quite a few Amps.

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