Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Discussions about solar, wind and radiant energy. Electronics and projects dealing with energy savings.
Post Reply
DonJon
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2013 6:33 am

Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by DonJon » Wed May 01, 2013 11:45 pm

In this vid the guy is using a bank of 6 $6.00 capacitors to start his car over and over. The recharge takes seconds. He runs a drill press a couple mins and recharges in seconds... with solar. :ugeek:

http://youtu.be/GPJao1xLe7w

update:
/z3x_kYq3mHM

Its a must see! It may not replace batteries but I used the word augment correctly. Cheaper, lighter and better than just batteries???

Time to find out. :?:

EDIT: Will be checking craigslist for capacitors!
- John Donaway
http://fastinghelp.org
Image

DonJon
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2013 6:33 am

Re: Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by DonJon » Thu May 02, 2013 12:24 am

This guy load tests a capacitor. However hes doing it to show they can't be used in car audio.

http://youtu.be/vTuJ7oz9g80
- John Donaway
http://fastinghelp.org
Image

Dave Thacker
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:18 pm
Location: Tipp City, Ohio

Re: Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by Dave Thacker » Fri May 03, 2013 8:11 am

Generally, there is a slow self discharge in capacitors that is much faster than a battery. They are good for short term storage only. Also, the capacity isn't much in a capacitor. Odd name isn't it? ;-) Essentially they would be a source of slow discharge of the lead acid batteries. Still a neat video.

The experiment would be to take one of those capacitors, charge it up, then discharge it on a battery cycler. I have the tools to do that in my business. If you want to mail me one, I'll do the test and post up the results. I would be able to determine the capacity in mili-amp-hours (or amp hours) and from that tell you how many you'd have to buy to equal one battery like Troy is using at the camper. I've never run a test like that on a capacitor, but It's my guess an equal capacity block of these would cost 30 to 100 times as much as a lead acid battery.

Lead acid is an old technology. However, it's survived the test of time for a good reason. Relatively cheap to produce, reliable and hold a good amount of energy per cubic foot. The only real issue is the anti-capitalist environmental wacko's that are doing everything they can to drive up the cost and down the availability of lead. It's an element on the periodic table and they want to outlaw it. Ever use lead free solder? It's junk. Please take no offence at my remarks. I wouldn't be honest if I don't take a dig at that bankrupt ideology every chance I got. They are punishing us and we are sitting back for it. I am for Liberty!
Dave Thacker
Radicalrc.com, Owner
Radicalrc.com/blog Blogsite

Dave Thacker
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:18 pm
Location: Tipp City, Ohio

Re: Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by Dave Thacker » Fri May 03, 2013 9:42 am

I think you put the wrong link up by mistake. That video is entitled "Why Capacitors Don't Work" and has to do with car audio setups.

I think you meant to put up this link which shows the drill press, the car, inverter and etc....
http://youtu.be/GPJao1xLe7w

Dave
Dave Thacker
Radicalrc.com, Owner
Radicalrc.com/blog Blogsite

Dave Thacker
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:18 pm
Location: Tipp City, Ohio

Re: Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by Dave Thacker » Fri May 03, 2013 9:42 am

I'm only allowed one link per post, so here is the rest of the message:

I had independently looked it up on YouTube and had watched below before making my initial comments. I wondered why there was no drill press in it. Still an interesting video.

Starting my car with Ultra Capacitors:
http://youtu.be/RzGpfi4OkPY

It's very tempting to build one of these. They are no replacement for a car battery however. In the short scene (prior post to this one) where he's running the head lights for only 20 seconds or so, you see the voltage is down in the 10v range very quickly. I think what you'd run into is leaving anything on for 10 min or so would mean a no-start. Also, in the winter when you have a balky time starting the engine, you'd run it down in mere seconds of cranking. As long as everything is working perfect and starting quickly, it would be reliable.

Any time there is any extra drain on the pack, like running the radio or headlights with the engine off, or on a -10 degree day when things start slowly, you'd find the lead acid battery is your big time buddy.

Still, very tempting to build one just for fun. Dave..
Dave Thacker
Radicalrc.com, Owner
Radicalrc.com/blog Blogsite

Dave Thacker
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:18 pm
Location: Tipp City, Ohio

Re: Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by Dave Thacker » Fri May 03, 2013 10:11 am

I see on ebay the following listings:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40

The ultra capacitors mentioned in a video for $6 seem to cost a little more. I see a listing, 12 fo r$200 + $22 shipping and a single unit for $22 + $12.75 ship. I also see somebody selling pre made capacity car booster batteries for a $160 shipped. Probably for that price, Troy could just get 2 new 6v lead acid golf cart batteries. Dave....
Dave Thacker
Radicalrc.com, Owner
Radicalrc.com/blog Blogsite

techman
Site Admin
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 am

Re: Augment battery use with capacitors! Win?

Post by techman » Mon May 06, 2013 6:28 pm

I have seen a lot of experiments with capacitors. I just with they were more affordable. Talk about an old technology. Before we had household electricity they were charging leyden jars with static electricity.

Just with I could afford a couple hundred of them

Post Reply