Disconnecting Capacitor from system

[jrgolfpro]

Hi Gentleman,

For about the last year and a half now I've been having issues with my car batteries dying and it finally dawned on me that for some reason, my cheapo capacitor's digital voltage display has never automatically shut off in turn, slow draining my car batteries and being that I do not drive a whole lot since I'm in school the battery is not getting a chance to charge back up fully when I am driving it..... SO, here is my question!

I recently purchased a new capacitor with a relay terminal on it to avoid having anymore issues but now I need to install it!

First off though I need to disconnect the old capacitor from the power wire running from the battery and I would like to know if there would be anyway of disconnecting the wires from it without actually disconnecting the battery from the vehicle?

For instance, is it safe or even possible to go straight to the trunk and loosen the terminals on top of the cap and pull off either the negative or positive wires or would you recommend that I disconnect the battery first? I have an optima red top battery now and the way their designed is terrible and since the terminals on them are located toward the center of the battery and not the sides like every other battery created, my battery cables are barely long enough to connect making it a real pain to reconnect! If there would be anyway I could avoid disconnecting them, your opinions would be much appreciated!

Thank you very much!
Kevin

[tsmith1315]

Originally posted by jrgolfpro


For instance, is it safe or even possible to go straight to the trunk and loosen the terminals on top of the cap and pull off either the negative or positive wires or would you recommend that I disconnect the battery first?


I have an optima red top battery now

Hi Kevin, welcome to the forum.

The lead from the cap/amps should be fused at the battery. You can remove the fuse and drain the cap with a test light or spare signal lamp. See the "capacitor confusion" thread below for more discussion.

If the battery lead isn't fused, it must be for the sake of safety.

Isn't that optima red top designed for deep cycle use?

[jrgolfpro]

yes it is! I appreciate all the help! I was thinking about that actually with the fuse.

So instead of disconnecting the battery, I'll just pop the fuse out of the holder which then in turn will cut the power to the cap and amp and then I'll use the charge light to discharge the cap.

Then after installing the new cap and getting the box and stuff back in my trunk, should I put the fuse back in the holder before connecting the positive lead back onto the cap and then charge the new cap from the end of the lead before screwing it down to the terminal of the cap?

[jrgolfpro]

You know what nevermind! I don't mean to take anymore of your time up! What I think I'll do is just disconnect the negative terminal like that other thread was talking about and then when it comes time to charge the cap after hooking it all up, just run the lightbulb from the positive to the negative terminals on the cars battery to charge it up and then connect the black terminal back onto the battery after!

Thank you again for all of your help though it's been much appreciated!

[tsmith1315]

When installing, replace the fuse last.

Connect the new cap, charge it by connecting the lamp across the empty battery fuseholder terminals, then replace the fuse.


As far as the battery is concerned, have it checked. If it's been deep-cycled and isn't designed for that type of operation, it will never come back to accepting a full charge.

If you're using a high-output alternator, check with Optima to be sure the charge rate of the battery is suitable as well.

edit: we seem to have been posting at the same time...

[jrgolfpro]

Okay I understand what you're saying, so connect the lamp from the negative side of the battery to the empty fuse holder which will then charge the cap and then pop the fuse in once its charged.

I really appreciate the help! I did look into the Optima battery and the Yellow top model is the deep cycle model whereas the Red Top is a regular battery so I don't have anything to worry about with that! I do appreciate the concern though!

[tsmith1315]

so connect the lamp from the negative side of the battery to the empty fuse holder which will then charge the cap

Actually, the lamp should connect from one side of the fuseholder to the other. That way the cap connects to the battery *through* the bulb, as in a series connection. Of course, you could also go from the + battery post to the cap side of the fuseholder.

The bulb's resistance will reduce the current flow, preventing the arc. When the bulb goes out, you can install the fuse without fireworks.

Have fun!

[jrgolfpro]

Perfect!! That is exctly what I wanted here! You have been such a great help and I really appreciate it!

Thanks again for everything!

[tsmith1315]

No sweat here, man.

I was actually able to contribute something useful instead of reminiscing or being a smarty pants!

Hang around for awhile, eh?