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How to install CAPACITOR????

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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 02:12 PM
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Default How to install CAPACITOR????

Hi,
I just bought a used Capacitor (0.5F) and it has 2 posts. 1 labled (+) and another one is nothing.
I have installed many car stereo myself but never installed a cap in my system.
Thanks for your help.
-Mike :cheers:
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 02:14 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

connect the + side of the capacitor to the + speaker wire. Connect the other end of the capacitor to the + lead on the speaker. I'm assuming you're doing this as a high-pass filter?

tim
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 02:19 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (tbrewing)

Sorry to confuse !!!
This is the Capacitor that keep the current stable!!!
I will hook this up for the amp that run the sub!
So I assume that the (+) post will hook to the constant 12Vand then go to the amp 12V, and another post will hook to the ground and then also go to the amp ground.
thanks :cheers:
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 02:26 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

The .5F of .5 Farad would lead me to believe you might be speaking of a power capacitor not so capacitor to filter out low freq. If this is the case you probably would not want to connect it to your speaker lead.
The correct install is to run your power wire from the battery to the + post on the capacitor. Then from the SAME + post to the power input on the amp. You would ground the other post. It is suggested to mount the Cap close to the amp, supposted to cut down on current loss from Cap to amp.
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 02:38 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (RDRH8R)

The .5F of .5 Farad would lead me to believe you might be speaking of a power capacitor not so capacitor to filter out low freq. If this is the case you probably would not want to connect it to your speaker lead.
The correct install is to run your power wire from the battery to the + post on the capacitor. Then from the SAME + post to the power input on the amp. You would ground the other post. It is suggested to mount the Cap close to the amp, supposted to cut down on current loss from Cap to amp.
Thanks
:cheers:
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 03:32 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

********Use an appropriate charge resitor when installing, otherwise you'll have a direct short to ground*****

Typicallly a 10k 1 watt resistor or comprable will work, wire it in series with the + terminal then after about 10-15 minutes, put a voltmeter on the + and - leads of the cap, when it's at 12 volts or above it's charged.
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 04:30 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (JoeyG)

********Use an appropriate charge resitor when installing, otherwise you'll have a direct short to ground*****

Typicallly a 10k 1 watt resistor or comprable will work, wire it in series with the + terminal then after about 10-15 minutes, put a voltmeter on the + and - leads of the cap, when it's at 12 volts or above it's charged.
So after the CAP got charged, I then remove the resistor???
Thanks :cheers:
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Old Jul 19, 2002 | 05:27 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

Yep.
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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 01:39 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (JoeyG)

I got another question !!!
Do I need to connect the ground when charging the capacitor???
Thanks :cheers:
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Old Jul 22, 2002 | 02:27 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

Yes it needs to be grounded when charging. The cap I use came with a "charge card" which is basically a little circuit board that screwed onto the cap using the Positive and Negative posts. Soldered onto the charge card were a power and ground cable, I made sure it was grounded before connecting the power - which charged the cap. Once it is charged make sure you dont touch the positive and negative leads together or you will discharge the cap. Good luck :cheers:
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Old Aug 1, 2002 | 05:37 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

How many watts are you trying to run off the capacitor? Generally, you should have .1 Farad or more per 100 watts continuous power.
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Old Aug 1, 2002 | 10:40 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (TheWacoKid)

How many watts are you trying to run off the capacitor? Generally, you should have .1 Farad or more per 100 watts continuous power.
True ...
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Old Aug 2, 2002 | 01:08 AM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (NewVetteLover)

The amp is about 300 watts and I got .5F so it should be enough then.
Thanks
:cheers:
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Old Aug 2, 2002 | 11:43 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

More than enough...GOOD! I have 1 farad for 650 watts continuous from both my amps. Never runs outa juice. It rocks!
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Old Aug 3, 2002 | 01:32 AM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (mike76002)

A charge resistor? When the power is supplied to the amplifier, 12v will be applied also to the .5 F capacitor and will charge the capacitor to 12v.
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Old Aug 3, 2002 | 09:38 AM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (jfb)

You have to charge them slowly to avoid creating a spark to the terminals, which would destroy them.
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Old Aug 4, 2002 | 04:07 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (TheWacoKid)

A spark at the capacitor terminals will do nothing to the capacitor. I think what they mean is to put a 10k resistor to the + terminal from a non switched 12v source to keep the capacitor charged so the ignition switch doesn't have to switch the large pulse of current to charge up the .5 F capacitor each time the ignition is turned on. For this to work, you would also have to remember not to leave your radio on with the ignition off.
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Old Aug 4, 2002 | 05:55 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (jfb)

A spark at the capacitor terminals will do nothing to the capacitor. I think what they mean is to put a 10k resistor to the + terminal from a non switched 12v source to keep the capacitor charged so the ignition switch doesn't have to switch the large pulse of current to charge up the .5 F capacitor each time the ignition is turned on. For this to work, you would also have to remember not to leave your radio on with the ignition off.
No, a charge resistor is used to set the initial charge, once the capacitor is charged for the first time, the charge resistor is no longer needed. The capacitor then maintains the highest possible charge with the given supply voltage

When a capacitor is first charged the + and - terminals are pretty much a dead short to each other, without a charge resistor the capacitor has a high probability to explode, not always te case, but high probability.
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Old Aug 4, 2002 | 06:53 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (JoeyG)

YEOW! Could you imagine a 1 FARAD cap exploding? That would take a mans arm off! It would certainly hurt like a bugger!
Ewwwww that'll leave a scar! :eek: :cry :reddevil
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 01:23 PM
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Default Re: How to install CAPACITOR???? (JoeyG)

Charging a capacitor will not make them explode!!! And leaving one off for a long enough period and they will totally discharge so that when you turn on the radio you will be applying 12v to a discharged capacitor, the same as installing a capacitor and turning it on for the first time.
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