capacitor problems

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / capacitor problems (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Next Page > < Prev Topic Next Topic >

robfontelera

Member - Posts: 18

Joined: April 06, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 12:15 PM / IP Logged

i have a 1.2 farad capacitor, and when i try to charge it, it charges up to 10.x volts than it just stops charging. i tried to discharge it and try charging it again, but it did the same thing. i thought it would be my car so i tried one of my other cars to charge it and it did the same thing.

i used a resitor the first time, than switched to a test light the next few times.....both unsuccessful. the cap is grounded to the chassis and it is a good ground.......dont know what i'm doing wrong....

help please.....

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 2:14 PM / IP Logged

A capacitor will equalize at whatever system voltage is. If a capacitor is connected between the battery + and ground, it will charge to the same voltage as the battery. It is impossible for it do do otherwise. Where are you reading this "10.x" volts? Using what meter? Is the car running?

Support the12volt.com

robfontelera

Member - Posts: 18

Joined: April 06, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 2:20 PM / IP Logged

DYohn wrote:

what i'm saying is that when you buy a cap the first thing you have to do is charge is, correct?

well, when i tried to charge is with the engine off, it would only go up to 10.x volts, it wouldn't reach the 12.5 volts that the car battery was. i used a dmm to measure the cap and battery.

geepherder

Platinum - Posts: 3,668

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: October 27, 2003

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 2:26 PM / IP Logged

Unless there's a problem in your wiring, take it back, and try another. When you measure, make sure you get good contact, or else you could get a funny reading. What do you read at the amp? It should be the same as the cap.

My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

robfontelera

Member - Posts: 18

Joined: April 06, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 2:35 PM / IP Logged

the same as the cap. the cap has one of those digital voltmeters on them....would that be a problem......

i never experienced this before, but when the cap tops at at around 10 volts, i remove the resistor and connect all the wires for the cap, but by the time i do all that the cap loses all its power?

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 3:08 PM / IP Logged

robfontelera wrote:

the same as the cap. the cap has one of those digital voltmeters on them....would that be a problem......i never experienced this before, but when the cap tops at at around 10 volts, i remove the resistor and connect all the wires for the cap, but by the time i do all that the cap loses all its power?

It is defective if it "loses all its power" as soon as it is disconnected. But don't trust anything a cheap digital "voltmeter" on a cap tells you.

Why do you think you need a cap anyway?

Also, what does your battery voltage read with a DMM and the cap out of the circuit?

Support the12volt.com

robfontelera

Member - Posts: 18

Joined: April 06, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 3:27 PM / IP Logged

i have dimming probs when i turn up the volume. my battery reads 12.4 volts when the engine is off. it's a new battery.

would you know if i redid all the grounds in the engine bay, and maybe even ground the block to the body if that would help?

audiobass10

Silver - Posts: 328

Joined: October 11, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 4:03 PM / IP Logged

What sort of power are you running? If your alternator is not sufficient for the load presented before the capacitor, the capacitor will only make it worse.

Dave

Pioneer Premier DEH-P660

15" Kicker CVR

Profile AP1000M

It's Loud

robupnya

Member - Posts: 2

Joined: February 21, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 06, 2005 at 11:39 PM / IP Logged

now that i didn't know. well, i have a 1998 toyota corolla, don't know what the alternator is rated at. i am running a kenwood 800 w amp powering a single 12" rockford fosgate hx2 sub.

wheelerdr

Copper - Posts: 337

Joined: October 25, 2004

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: April 07, 2005 at 3:37 AM / IP Logged

i would go to a local parts store like napa and have you battery and alt tested. you can also try getting a yellow top deep cycle battery this will help all around.

Next Page >

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.