Bought a new cap.

Says I need to use the included little light, and such.

Is it really needed to do so, or can I just go and hook up straight.

 

You bought and paid for it, they assume you want the light show too.


edit- sorry for the smart arz responce. is the light for indicating voltage output or is it part of the installation process. the manuf may very well have a valid reason for the light other than entertainment (slowing the charging of the cap)

 

If what you are referring to is the item they have included to charge/discharge the cap then yes you should use it.

 

When using the light for charging the cap, make sure you dont hold it with your fingers as it tends to get very hot...Use pliers or something else to hold it...

 

related question - bought a cap, although it didn't come with one of those bulbs. what would happen were i to install without the bulb/charge portion ?

thanks.

 

There will be a fairly large arc that will scare the crap out of you and will probably leave a little weld splatter on the terminal.

 

I made my own light cap charger after i lost one and broke the other.
Simple 12v turn signal lightbulb. I soldered wire onto the bulb, made the the right length, used quick connect terminals.
so now its really easy to charge or discharge my caps, for service or whatever.

But then i take my car to the dealership, they disconnect the battery while they're doing tests, and when he hookes it back up? Big spark and he hits his head on the hood.

 

Can anyone post a pick of these lights? I have a digital amp that doesn't have a light? What exactly do they do? Does it allow you to charge up the cap (do caps need a load to charge?) and then provide a load to discharge them?

 

Its just so the cap doesnt try to charge instantly and cause arcing and weld marks on the terminals. The bulb is used to slow the charge down a bit, and show when the cap is charged (light will start to dim as it charges). Once the cap is charged u just hook the wire to the terminal as normal and it wont spark...unless u wait to hook it up. The sooner u hook it up after charging the cap, the less chance u have of arcing.
The bulb (or resistor) isnt REQUIRED to charge the cap in any way...unless u like the look of your brand new shiny gold plated battery terminal and want to KEEP it shiny gold plated. hehe