How to on: charging, discharging and installing capacitors

I go over all the ins and out of car audio capacitors...How to on: charge, discharge and installing capacitors with a few extra tips.

[@00Warpig00]

Always like watching your videos. Thanks for making them. Always entertaining & down to earth personality. Caps with digital display on them have bleed off circuit (the display/led's) to discharge the cap. That's what you were seeing happen as the cap was counting down from 12V to 0V and flashing, it was bleeding off/discharging the cap. It can go a bit slow with a 3 Farad capacitor. A resistor or even the DVM will slowly bleed off a cap. When the Voltage reaches 0V the cap is fully discharged.

[@jasonofcompsci]

"It's won't kill you. It's only DC." Oh gosh!

[@TheOneG36]

if it is not K!DC he is right...... most of the time, except for burns.... ;)

[@michael6692]

it can kill .. have you seen one blow up ,, holly crap

[@Bodragon]

@@michael6692 You mean: *_"holy cap" ?_* >

[@LouisGFranco]

It's not like when DC Amps "grab" you they're harder to break away from because its constant current (as opposed to AC which alternates giving you a slightly better odds in certain instances to release or be jolted off).

[@michaels8050]

I have a 1 farad capacitor, and if I 'just hook up' the wires, it will arc initially- not always the safest method. The proper way to charge it would be to put a load in series such as a normal test light, not a power probe test light. Initially the test light will be bright as there is moderate current flow, then when it goes out the capacitor voltage has risen to equal the battery or power source voltage. Discharging- again you don't need a spare H1 light bulb laying around, just use your standard 12v test light between the positive side and ground, several minutes (depending on size) later the light will have died out, as the voltage has diminished. I highly doubt, though I haven't purchased dozens of new caps to know with certainty, that the manufacturer includes a small 300 ohm resistor to discharge it with, if it took 3 days to complete no one would bother. Also, telling people to hook their DVOM in series with a high current car audio power cable is a good way to ruin their meter! Did you buy stock in them before this recommendation? Most meters are rated for 10 amps MAX! A few to 20A and cheaper units are not even fused. Most any car audio amps can draw 20+ amps, with premium setups likely drawing over 100.

[@andreanthony9281]

Tr

[@thethoughtmaster]

I have not seen one perfect video for this, have you?

[@willbruce8130]

Lessco, good video. Can you explain a little more on the charging part for me? I’m confused on why my one page instruction manual is telling me to connect my light bulb to pre CHARGE my capacitor and not drain it or uncharge it as you said

[@erik120719]

awwww man! thought I could just stick power wires to it to charge it nd arc a screwdriver between terminals to discharge it! no wonder lol now for the real question, why not just add a second (gel)battery? Around the same price and twice as effective, just remember to add a fuse and you are good to go. Or even do a big 3 upgrade. IMHO a cap is like a bandaid on a gunshot wound.

[@robgreenwood6939]

Aren't you supposed to use a resistor to slow the initial charge?

[@ldanley72]

Yes mate...

[@andreanthony9281]

Why

[@EliteOnTheBeat]

@@andreanthony9281 Because its the initial charge.... duh.

[@scottorsbon608]

Yep. He didn't show how to charge. It was already charged when he started

[@ElRazTheGreat1]

Sorry it's not an LCD display it's an LED display, your multimeter on the lower left has an LCD display!

[@vladlu6362]

Led and lcd displays are the same thing.

[@PotatoeChipz]

@@vladlu6362 wrong, the DMM uses CCFL backlighting while the cap uses LED backlighting.

[@vladlu6362]

@@PotatoeChipz While technically yes, led displays are the common name for backlit displays. Anyway, they still use the same technology, non the less.

[@Bodragon]

@@vladlu6362 You're both wrong. >

[@Bodragon]

The DMM does not use CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) as a backlight. CCFLs were used only on older laptops and older flat panel displays. (These days, the backlight is provided by white LEDs) The backlight on the DMM is just a simple LED (light emitting diode), whist the display itself is LCD (liquid crystal display). The digit display on the capacitor uses red LEDs That's it. >

[@motochiptuning]

and how that first charge with resistor inline + cable? you didnt mentioned it

[@ElRazTheGreat1]

it's not a HID light it's a regular halogen light painted in blue!

[@izzymabena]

Lol thats what i said!

[@dancoulson6579]

I don't have a massive sub and/or amp in my car, but I do have a problem where the radiator fan kicks in intermittently. When it does kick in, it draws a massive surge of current for half a second and causes everything to dim briefly. I am thinking about installing one directly across the battery terminals to act as a small buffer to mitigate the effects of the short surge current. I am thinking that this would do the job. Though, I'd prefer to buy a more professional looking capacitor. I don't much like the idea of the flashing LED's on it. Even if it is hidden behind the bonnet.

[@samuelcruz5191]

Would that xenon bulb work to charge it as well

[@00Warpig00]

Almost forgot. The BEST reason to discharge a capacitor is for fire prevention. While not really an issue while properly installed while uninstalled this stored electricity can not only be dangerous on High voltage capacitors but also can be discharged to start a fire. I work for an electronics recycling company and you should see the kind of fires that can start when hundreds of charged capacitors get thrown into cardboard boxes together. lol.

[@epsiloneridani5738]

John argue+ That is a normal function of almost every capacitor. When your amp is pulling more voltage than your battery can "dish out", your capacitor will kick on and release the stored voltage. Not to worry.

[@thethoughtmaster]

None of these videos on youtube show a full comprehensive explanation, rubbish.

[@Thezuule1]

This video should have been 2 seconds long and you should have just said Don't.

[@geoh7777]

Sam pol asks, "why it discharges itself without been connected, like shown on the video?" Some large capacitors have a built-in internal resistor that is wired across the two output terminals so that the capacitor will discharge by itself when it is not being used. The cap that came out of my microwave has an external resistor on the two terminals. .

[@javierdager]

If u test for amps that way you will blow the fuse in your meter

[@JeffreyStrader]

Most SMART people use an inline resistor between the positive post on your battery/inline fuse source and the positive on the Capacitor when charging or discharging.

[@alwaze1006]

Thanks for passing on what knowledge you have aquired. ( Only thing I got to point out is , hook up - last. Always hook up pwr. src. first and ground last) other than that, 👍kinda. Electricity can kill you don't be stupid.

[@gopyyanusdev3486]

I have a transformers it 12 Voltage output AC can I charge my car battery with it

[@DamienNicholas]

hey man, can you post a video on how you clamp test a systems output?

[@johnargue2977]

I couldnt find the resistor that came with my capacitor. I hooked all my wires and put my amp wire fuse last. the Fuse by battery. Seemed to work fine. No big sparks. My lights dim when i bridge my amp. I dont bridge it now, seems like still strong bass, no lights dimming. Also i did the big 3.

[@mauricefrancis2435]

thanks again you help me out

[@ineedandrenaline]

I have the same capacitor as you but I have one problem. The blue led lights come on but no numbers come on while I'm playing music or locking and entering my car?

[@epsiloneridani5738]

Im sorry dude, but youre wrong.. When you charge a cap, you want to slowly charge it due to the fact that if you rapidly charge a cap it could damage it and cause it to not function properly. youve been lucky to not damage yours..

[@ledmk2]

Nice

[@nathanielcharles821]

Could anybody explain me how to minimize the discharge time of a capacitor?

[@thethoughtmaster]

Put a 3 volt LED light on it.

[@perthamboystick]

I have a question to discharge can I buy a little bulb that came with it New can I use one New or does it have to b an old one

[@johnargue2977]

I noticed when i turn the bass all the way up, the capacitor lights up. The led. Is that normal? It's still 14 volts.

[@Lesscoelectronics]

+john argue Id look at the spec guide on your cap, Ive seen all kinds of features / functions on different models and brands... better safe than sorry

[@johnargue2977]

+Lessco Electronics ok,ill check specs.it was a cheap capacitor. $35 for ,i believe a 3 farad, new.looks good though. have a happy new year.

[@nobody6803]

Depend on you're power amplifier model .... a lot need 14.6volt DC to be at full power EX : www.dcsoundlab.com/10k

[@jamesweston8226]

Looking to discharge and charge the capacitor back up wothout multimeter! What ohm diode would I need to bridge the + - terminals on a 1 farad car capacitor????

[@HamseMahamud]

Hey there thank you for sharing this stuff. So, i was doing this project of mine, and i got a capacitor that looks like this one and it has this information written on it " Sprague Powerlytic 36DE with 1100000-63DC" So, what does this mean, and i wanna ask you can i use this cap to store AC voltage. Thank you please respond

[@Lesscoelectronics]

I don't specialize in ac - Im a dc kinda guy, but heres a link to all the info you want: www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=Powerlytic+36DE

[@stephenhui2246]

I have one with 2 farad and when I install the caps I never charge it did the caps will damage?

[@KIGHT3]

It s cold here where I live and my battery 🔋 completely died so I got a new battery so now every time I turn on my system but the capacitor is still off in my music is playing but when I turn off my vehicle these numbers start to popp up so am I doing something wrong or is it working properly

[@MrClydieBoy]

Can you charge the capacitor with a led light with a 2 wire pigtail? I bought a pair of 12 volt led lights with a 2 wire pigtail to try and charge my capacitors. Or could you just hook it up directly to a battery and it will charge up? I just bought 18) 2600 Farad 2.5 volt Maxwell Super Capacitors for my car audio amplifiers. I bought some aluminum buss bars to connect them together. How do you wire them in series then parallel to get 15 volts from all 18 of them? Please help me out. Thanks buddy.

[@Lesscoelectronics]

+Clyde Yamasaki there is a good article on this here, its a little techy but good info macao.communications.museum/eng/exhibition/secondfloor/moreinfo/2_3_5_ChargingCapacitor.html

[@mrcah125]

I installed one but my amps still get after I installed it and i don't know what the problem can be

[@aruark6029]

Hello., I have a 500k cap and I have seen them used on a solar system, they said to connect it to a 3000 watt inverter. can I do this and if so what size fuse should I use and what size wire< I have some 6 gauge on hand and if that would work. also would I have to drain it or just let it stay thanks Al

[@Lesscoelectronics]

+Al Ruark I cant advise on that type of use, its not what I specialize in.

[@louf7178]

Thanks bud. Just wanted to be sure on that!

[@earlytymez5540]

When charging should it already hooked up to the amp?

[@grimthreeper4112]

I do, just make sure the fuse is pulled.Charge it up then put in fuse, done

[@ikel6253]

Hi... I just bought this new RoToM Brand Dual Run Capacitor. 80+5 MFD 370/440v... -Would like to know, if theres anyway i could hook this to my lawn tractor for starting? There's no Battery! All this capacitor talk online is difficult to me! Ha -How would i wire it!?. It's got 3 prongs! Fan-Common-Herm... -The tractor only puts out around 4 amp's or so, from the Generator/Stator... No regulator! Just 2 wire's coming out from under the Generator/Stator-1 wire is for the Head-Light's... -The other wire has a diode, and goes to the battery.(which there isn't a Batt...) Btw The solinoid run's off the magnet's on the flywheel! So that's seperate from this equation...Ha Tks... Show less

[@laurawilson5467]

Ike Lionz 1 no

[@robinsonfamily4681]

why you have to discharge the capacitors?

[@crispinhornilla1422]

i have audio surge capacitor 1.5 farad they have +,- and ac on terminal how can i install that

[@christianquiroz8166]

i have a question? when i put a capacitor wired direct to battery (+ to +) then ground, my question is, how about when you the car is off, the capacitor is still on? or also automatically off when you off the car? thanks

[@Lesscoelectronics]

this one turns off by itself

[@juggsforlife1]

wtf do you do if the cap doesn't turn on?? no led's no display nothing how do I know its still working or usable??

[@chrishagyard6282]

I just have one question should you charge the cap and then attach your amp to the cap or can you just do it all in one go

[@Lesscoelectronics]

chris hagyard charge it up first, then begin using it.

[@chrishagyard6282]

Lessco Electronics awesome thanks

[@chrishagyard6282]

Lessco Electronics I had one more question when the cap is charged should I just put the amp power wire straight on or should I take the ground and power wire off the cap and then attach both power wires when re-attaching the cap

[@stephenhui2246]

+Lessco Electronics so you said it should charge first . So if I never charge on the first time and using it and it working so should I need to discharge the cap and charge it back ?

[@scottorsbon608]

@@Lesscoelectronics Why say charge it first, but the video literally said that you charge it by "just connecting it to your system"

[@sekstrand87]

I take it that this thing automatically discharges so that some goober doesn't shock himself with it after it's disconnected? Since there is no current limiting device to stop you from getting zapped hard?

[@harrisonstein5132]

It's only 12-24vdc so it wouldn't shock you anyway

[@SecretaryBootyyJuice]

+Harrison Stein bullsh!t, I've seen these shock people. If you're wearing a watch with a metal band it can shock you, if your hands are wet it can also shock you, AND if they do get shorted out and since they have the ability to dump all of the built up current without a limit they can also explode similar to how a lead-acid car battery can explode if not correctly connected while trying to jump start a vehicle with a dead battery.

[@troubleddragon698]

Even still then if you could still install it and use it as a voltage meter for shits and giggles

[@Jmustan03]

Does the capacitor go before or after my distribution block???

[@rook13pdx]

More important: it goes after a fuse. After the fuse, before your amps.

[@S3N3CA86]

Do after for best quality

[@deadlytrap71]

if your capacitor has a remote turn on MUST you use that? i got a new capacitor and it has one but i didnt use the terminal for remote wire. my capacitor will not turn on, is that why? the initial charging it beeped and lit up but then went off and i havent been able to turn it back on since then, is that why?

[@Lesscoelectronics]

If the manufacturer supplies a remote lead, It must be used.

[@Lesscoelectronics]

Yes, that is the reason. that turn on wire typically enables a relay which in turn energizes the cap.

[@ninjamigs1766]

Never use a cap that doesn't have it's own on/off as a remote wire line or att/line as is used in a headunit a for amps... only sure way of knowing your shit is legit not drawing while off and killing battery.. Oh and that it works...lol

[@Elefantkuk97]

What will happen if i have my capacitor charged and then remove my ground on the battery? I have a sort of screw on my battery that i screw of a bit when i leave my car over the night so the battery wont be dead in the morning?

[@stampersyd]

Ru serious

[@mathewb3387]

Warning if you have a stereo and try to metre the amperage with your metre make sure it's not on a 10 AMP fuseyou will blow your fuse do not have it in milliamps either

[@85krash]

so if it turns off by it self while playing some music, its normal? my capacitor reads at around 14.5 when the car is on. when its off (still playing music) it reads 12.5, is this normal? and of course when the car is off it turns off by it self....

[@Lesscoelectronics]

that sounds fine, the voltage should go down once the car isn't charging any longer

[@andreanthony9281]

Ya

[@DwightTrash610]

What brand is this?

[@Lesscoelectronics]

lll swiftHD lll its impulse, I sell it here if youre interested:www.ebay.com/itm/3-2-Farad-Impulse-Samurai-Digital-Blue-LED-Capacitor-Cap-New-/400268647322?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d31dedb9a

[@x8Xbrenwin1X8x]

"It's only DC 'current' (direct current current), it's never going to shock you to death." Both AC and DC can kill a man. Just saying; safety first.

[@erikaguilar1059]

AC is much more lethal, however

[@jacobslab4824]

I'm the 500 liker

[@jotsinghdhaliwal6848]

what do u use to charge it? can we use a usb port thing plugged into a adapter and join the wires the up?

[@thethoughtmaster]

No, get a 12 volt light.

[@EETechs]

Actually, it would be about 1.25 hours, not days.....

[@916nor916cal916]

,

[@giocarrillo8315]

how could i get my capacitor to turn off .could anybody tell me what to do?

[@Lesscoelectronics]

do you mean make the lcd readout turn off automatically?

[@marksmith9675]

I just blew my capacitor today by not charging it before I hooked everything up..I'm so mad at myself !!

[@BFTVCanada]

Sorry to hear! So your advice is make sure you fully charge it before hooking up to the amp? Also im assuming u got a new one by now, did it actually come as an advantage in your system?

[@boogdennard44]

Mark N Chelsee Smith I was wondering what makes you think the cap blew up? the cap will get charged when you put your power (+) fuse in or hook your battery back up. if it actually blew up more than likely from revered polarity the power wire wasn't connected to the + it was on -- and ground wasn't connect to the -- it was on + theinstalling any car audio with the power still on is asking for trouble

[@T07N]

That's not a xenon bulb

[@Jflowboston1]

You speak like if you know what you're doing "EVERYTHING YOU DID WRONG"

[@Naferner_Said]

3.2 = 3200 watts rms, if you arent using 3200 rms, then this capacitor is useless.

[@gdog-wk5ww]

These are useless.If you need more power you get a amg battery.If you have a big system you need a high output alt. And battery's. Don't waste your monecof these type of caps.The only good caps are the maxxwell type.But there like $300 to 400 .

[@ben2028]

Dude, SO WRONG! You want to charge/discharge SLOWLY with a LOW amp drawing light bulb. Rapid charging/discharging is what damages caps! Just hooking the wires straight on (like you did) when installing IS rapid charging...

[@dreamrealitysyndrome]

+FINDER OF what kind of resistor?

[@DEEJAYREEL]

LOLOL Capacitors are junk! Most problems with dimming lights with the bass drops are caused by bad power and ground wiring! A capacitor will not help this! Once you rewire your vehicle add extra batteries and a high amp alternator if needed you will no longer need a CAP! They say a cap will only work if your electrical system is working properly and if your electrical sysem is working properly why would you need a cap???

[@scottorsbon608]

"I'm gonna show you how to charge a capacitor". Proceeds to start with a charged cap and doesn't even mention how to charge it.

[@nobody6803]

Why EVERYONE install XS POWER Battery instead of this ..... useless CAP ? ..... IF YOU don't have enought power to drive a 2Kw car system .... DO YOU REALLY THINK THE ANWSER WILL BE A SINGLE BATTERY WTIH SUPID CAP ???? ...... CAPACITOR DON,T CREATE ENERGY .,.....add battery and alternator ( in CAR AUDIO : CAP act like battery ....so they actually drain and scrap you,re battery... to much charging and discharge fast cause of CAP ) so... 1+2=8 ? !

[@RobertMcDonald_trz]

by 1:35 teaches nothing

[@Lesscoelectronics]

I was sharing some theory beforehand, sorry

[@RobertMcDonald_trz]

theory was good. maybe next time have a script with the theory so it goes by quicker.

[@04tb2]

Please delete this old video That cap needs to go into the trash, it has no effect on your electrical, if anything it makes it worse You need to buy 3000f Maxwell super caps and make a bank of 5 for 12v setup or bank of 6 for 16v setup or buy xs power caps Please don't waist your money on cheap caps. Cut it open there isn't anything inside

[@ahumm8280]

This guy! 🙄

[@randellralph7783]

capacitors are a waste of time and money !!!

[@STRIKEcorperation]

They aren't. They have a purpose and a practicality.

[@FunnySBC]

if you think its a waste of money you must not have a great amp that draws a lot of current you probably dont need one

[@randellralph7783]

its crap !! upgrade your alternator and use good batteries !!

[@FunnySBC]

Powermaster 8176 DieHard Advanced Gold AGM Battery i use the best with the big 3 upgrade lol running 4 12s

[@randellralph7783]

mason jordan cool man we have 6 15'' dd 9500 series and 16 10'' rcf with 8 405'' selenium drivers and we dont use capacitors just 12 kinetic batteries for the bass and 4 for the mid range with 2 good alternators !! :) always reads over 15 volts !!