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Registered Member #1774
Joined: Wed Oct 22 2008, 02:51AM
Location:
Posts: 135
As the title says i have been playing around with charging my 200v 5900uf capacitors using an old (most likely antique) hand generator and a heavy duty bridge rectifier i have, it charges them perfectly in about 2minutes (with some effort). But i want to know if this could damage the caps in anyway? The generator puts out 100v ac measured with a multimeter but i can still charge the caps to 200v, which makes no sense to me since its impossible to charge above supply voltage...
P.S. i learnt my lesson about double checking polarity as i just set fire to the floor when i accidentally put the diode in the wrong way (discharged 100j through the diode)
Registered Member #27
Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 02:20AM
Location: Hyperborea
Posts: 2058
It will charge to the peak voltage of the output waveform from the generator,
For a sine wave it would be 100*sqrt(2) = 141 V. If it is not a perfect sine wave your voltmeter might measure it wrong and the peak would in any case be something else.
As long as you don't go over the rated voltage and do too many high current discharges the capacitors should be fine.
Remember to read this since you have enough energy there to be unsafe:
Registered Member #1774
Joined: Wed Oct 22 2008, 02:51AM
Location:
Posts: 135
Ok thanks, im using the caps for a small coilgun (hence the diode). Just read the saftey guide, better safe than sorry, im gonna insulate all the connectors from now on. (on a crazy sidenote me and some friends (when we were about 7)used to chase people with the generator leads and zap them... probly not a smart idea thinking back.)
Registered Member #30
Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706
Err, surely you can just use a voltmeter and quit cranking before the caps get charged above 200V? Overcharging is the only way the generator could damage them.
Registered Member #540
Joined: Mon Feb 19 2007, 07:49PM
Location: MIT
Posts: 969
You would also need a charging resistor like a 60W lamp in series with it because the bank will look like a short right when you start charging it. Also when charging from mains, be careful because it's not isolated from the mains.
Registered Member #1774
Joined: Wed Oct 22 2008, 02:51AM
Location:
Posts: 135
Yep I just tried, I used 2 10watt 15k ohm resistors to limit the current. Gave me hell of a fright when I fired the coilgun though, I guess my soldering wasnt good enough because the connection between all my diodes and the coil literally exploded (I guess the connection had too much resistance).
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Charging 200v capacitors with a hand generator (will it ruin the caps?)
