General Discussion General discussion about all things car audio, from pioneer, orion, alpine and eclipse.

Quick Cap Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-26-2007, 02:36 AM
  #1  
50 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
 
JeffersonC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 158
Quick Cap Question

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.
JeffersonC is offline  
Old 05-26-2007, 07:35 AM
  #2  
Yankee
 
JohnVroom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
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)

Last edited by JohnVroom; 05-26-2007 at 07:47 AM.
JohnVroom is offline  
Old 05-26-2007, 07:38 AM
  #3  
2000 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (5)
 
Hardwrkr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,542
If what you are referring to is the item they have included to charge/discharge the cap then yes you should use it.
Hardwrkr is offline  
Old 05-26-2007, 09:50 AM
  #4  
50 Watt CAFz'r
 
smpl_gy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 322
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...
smpl_gy is offline  
Old 07-26-2007, 10:41 PM
  #5  
50 Watt CAFz'r
 
phildownunder23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 50
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.
phildownunder23 is offline  
Old 07-27-2007, 05:32 AM
  #6  
Yankee
 
JohnVroom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
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.
JohnVroom is offline  
Old 07-27-2007, 09:26 AM
  #7  
1000 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (1)
 
Tom.F.1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,217
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.
Tom.F.1 is offline  
Old 07-27-2007, 05:52 PM
  #8  
50 Watt CAFz'r
 
s14_240sx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 145
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?

Last edited by s14_240sx; 07-27-2007 at 05:58 PM.
s14_240sx is offline  
Old 07-28-2007, 09:39 AM
  #9  
50 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (-1)
 
BLU3Fi5H's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 208
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
BLU3Fi5H is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sheptard
Install related
5
09-12-2010 10:04 PM
98_Z24
General Discussion
5
01-28-2009 10:44 PM
JephD
General Discussion
3
06-10-2005 03:26 PM
Tzu
General Discussion
3
01-25-2004 09:02 AM



Quick Reply: Quick Cap Question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46 AM.