how to charge a cap

[crash9201 10+ year member]

alright ive searched this and googled it but every explanation leaves me in utter confusion...

i dont have a resistor... how do i charge it with the test light? i know connect the pos term of cap to pos of something, the explanation i saw didnt say...

Click to read more...

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Connect it to your battery + and - (or ground). Then wait till the cap reaches 12v or 14v or whatever your vehicle is at.

 

[crash9201 10+ year member]

ive heard doing that will create a spark close to the same as an arc weldor.... leaving scorch marks and maybe blowing peices of the connectors off

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

ive heard doing that will create a spark close to the same as an arc weldor.... leaving scorch marks and maybe blowing peices of the connectors off

No.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

ive heard doing that will create a spark close to the same as an arc weldor.... leaving scorch marks and maybe blowing peices of the connectors off

There might be a little spark. Smaller than the spark on a lighter.

 

[crash9201 10+ year member]

wow, then google is not the way to go for car audio questions....

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

wow, then google is not the way to go for car audio questions....

Have you ever taken your battery terminals off?

 

[funkyab 10+ year member]

Connect it to your battery + and - (or ground). Then wait till the cap reaches 12v or 14v or whatever your vehicle is at.

This is what you should do. But ***** and take a pic and post it here for the cap hall of fame!

 

[midnightg35x 10+ year member]

1. Ground the capacitor Then use either 2a or 2b.

2a. Take a 12V test light and hook it up in series between the power cable and the + terminal on the capacitor. The light will illuminate while the cap is charging. Once the light turns completely off, remove the test light. Cap should now be charged.

2b. Take a high value (100kOhm+) resistor and hook it up in series between the power cable and the + terminal on the capacitor. Leave it there for several seconds. Cap should now be charged.

3. Hook up power wire to + terminal on capacitor and enjoy the benefits of the cap.

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

1. Ground the capacitor Then use either 2a or 2b.
2a. Take a 12V test light and hook it up in series between the power cable and the + terminal on the capacitor. The light will illuminate while the cap is charging. Once the light turns completely off, remove the test light. Cap should now be charged.

2b. Take a high value (100kOhm+) resistor and hook it up in series between the power cable and the + terminal on the capacitor. Leave it there for several seconds. Cap should now be charged.

3. Hook up power wire to + terminal on capacitor and enjoy the benefits of the cap.

Which are none. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[midnightg35x 10+ year member]

Which are none. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Certainly some people's opinion, but not mine. I can see the benefits of a cap. But that's a whole other argument that does not need to be started here. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Certainly some people's opinion, but not mine. I can see the benefits of a cap. But that's a whole other argument that does not need to be started here. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

They are not worth the price //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

I think the farads in capacitors are misleading //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[Savstyle 10+ year member]

plug it into a wall socket

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

Certainly some people's opinion, but not mine. I can see the benefits of a cap. But that's a whole other argument that does not need to be started here. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

The benefits of a cap in the OP's stock electrical system are what? He is running about 1400W RMS. He has a stock alt and stock battery. How is the 1F cap helping his electrical system?

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

ive heard doing that will create a spark close to the same as an arc weldor.... leaving scorch marks and maybe blowing peices of the connectors off

BTW: Arc Welders use hundreds of amps... literally, hundreds. To make an average Arc Welder, you need around 10x 1200 watt Microwave transformers... your little 12v battery @ like 60 amperes is not gunna be able to melt metal. I assure you.