650 Farad Ultracapacitor shorted across piece of wire

My Maxwell Ultracapacitor came in the mail today and I've been playing around with it.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Ultracapacitor
• supercapacitor
• hot
• boostcap
• maxwell
• capacitor
• electronics
• lab
• experiment

[WingedMark]

Yes I realize that the power supply was still connected, but given that is has a one amp maximum current output, it has a negligible effect on the outcome. Why you think it's a big deal is beyond me, this was clearly not any kind of scientific test with results recorded.

[WingedMark]

I am not convinced... The capacitor doesn't heat up at all when doing this.

[WingedMark]

Edit to my last post, you don't need a 'high' voltage, just a voltage that is higher than your desired charge so current will flow.

[WingedMark]

72fr250 -- I use an Anatek variable power supply, and if I'm feeling anxious I have a 'wall wart' transformer that I connect in parallel to speed things up.

You will require a high voltage on the charging side, but be careful to cut the charging supply at 2.7 volts or less or you will damage the unit.  I fried the IC that came with my cap the day I got it, and I just watch the voltage across the cap with a multimeter now.. Haven't forgotten about it yet, but it's not the safest method.

[WingedMark]

Pirate -- It was about $40 canadian off ebay with a few little solar panels and LED's.

EgadsNo -- Nope, copper wire

jwhite -- I wouldn't recommend to you trying this at home. Ultra capacitors are good to accept or discharge large amounts of current, which is why they are a shoe in for regenerative braking solutions, look it up.

userABC -- The voltage so low that no, it will slowly heat. Power is a function of both voltage and current, and the capacitor maximum is 2.7 volts.

[WingedMark]

The datasheet I found from Maxwell stated the short circuit current as 3500A.. Impressive either way.

[spuzzdawg]

@CalicoatMaker On what planet is 0.22uF capacitor considered a supercap?

[CalicoatMaker]

@Arcagelinos1 They dont really act the same as "traditional" capacitors.Cheap way to get them is to watch for those "shake light" flashlights to go on clearance. I got a bunch of .22uF 5.7v supercaps from some 87-cent flashlights (and a nifty yet fragile as hell crafted rare-earth magnet). I tore apart a $1 solar yard "sticklight" and put these caps inside it along with the NiCad AA battery it came with, then a 4100k Cree LED. Bright as HELL, lasts 36 hours. I love supercaps :)

Cheap way t

[72fr250]

@xxGLhrMxx I have a 16.2 V 2000 Farad bank now. I need to do a charge time test, but in general I never have a reason to fully discharge the bank, so solar is fine for maintaining the voltage. I like solar power over home power just because wall warts and chargers will fry without a large power resistor when you charge these caps.

[xxGLhrMxx]

@72fr250 Dude, i dunno the size of your panel, but in general, solar power would take months to charge a 3000 farad capacitor...

Use your home power instead

[supertruckertom]

Its extremely low ESR allows it to dump the energy without it turning into internal heat on the way out.

[ReiMomo]

The life of super capacitors is shortened too quick if you short them like that.