charging capacitors
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=113078
Printed Date: May 14, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Topic: charging capacitors
Posted By: whitemike0110
Subject: charging capacitors
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 12:05 AM
How do you charge a capacitor? Sorry i just don't really know and i just got a one. I got a new battery and a good alt. so i have a cap now and i dont really know what to do with it. Can someone please help
Thanks!
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Hello.
Replies:
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 3:18 AM
The only reason they suggest charging a capacitor is to avoid the nasty arc that could De-Blingify the pretty connectors on the cap. Best thing to do is to return it and get your money back. It will help nothing. If you insist on charging it properly, using an old fashioned test light, you know the ones with an actual light bulb inside of them. Not a fancy LED light. Connect the power wire to the capacitor. Now take the test light and ground the alligator clip to the chassis of the vehicle. Touch and hold the probe to the negative terminal of the cap. When the light goes out or gets really really dim, your cap is charged.
Posted By: whitemike0110
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 3:12 PM
capacitors seriously aren't worth it? They have to serve some sort of positive purpose.
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Hello.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 3:58 PM
They serve a very important purpose. Just ask any cap manufacturer, sales rep for that manufacturer. And also ask any salesman at an audio shop that sells them. They will tell you that they are the best thing since sliced bread. After you charge it via the instructions above, I forgot to tell you to connect the ground wire from the cap to the chassis of the car.
Posted By: whitemike0110
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 4:35 PM
haha...so literally nothing...i think i should take your advise and return it huh
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Hello.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Posted By: whitemike0110
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Can i use the resistor to charge it rather than a test bulb?
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Hello.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Yes you can use the resistor. The test light will let you know when it is charged. Using the resistor, you will need a volt meter to see if it is charged. It will be devastating to you if you connect it before it is charged and it arcs a mark on the connector.
Posted By: whitemike0110
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 6:46 PM
well i have this little light with two wires coming off of the bottom, it's halogen but it says use only with 120volts, can i use this light? Or is it too powerful
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Hello.
Posted By: whitemike0110
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 6:50 PM
oh and the cap has a built in volt meter, i dont need another one do i? Just charge it up until its at like 9 volts
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Hello.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 12, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Honestly if it were me, I would disconnect the ground terminal of the battery, connect the capacitor and then reconnect the ground wire to the battery. Unless of course you have some super blingified battery terminals. Depending on the value of the resistor, it may or may not allow the cap to charge enough for the meter to read.
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