back to 4 supercap box

recharging supercaps (FLIR):


The cap bank got pretty heavily discharged by accident. It doesn't get damaged by getting deeply discharged
(unlike a lead-acid or lithium battery) but it can really suck down the power when you go to recharge it.

I have installed a DC-DC boost converter in the lid of its box so I can get the bank charged up to 14.5 volts
on just 12v input, but it can draw a good 20 amps continuously while it tries to pump up the caps. Maxwells
show almost a dead short when charging, and woud pull hundreds of amps while charging if you let them. This
was the first time I'd tried to charge the bank up from being that low, and it really surprised me how hot the
boost converter got. And while I was using the FLIR to get a picture of the boost converter, I noticed the caps
themselves were also warming up a bit. They were just a little warm to the touch though, while the boost
converter was searing hot. I'm glad I mounted that board with metal standoffs instead of trying to hot-glue it
to the box lid!



10-40 to 10-50v 250w 6a HiLetgo boost (in boost)

2024.05.07 17.12.12 DC	2024.05.07 17.12.12	2024.05.07 17.12.25 DC	2024.05.07 17.12.25	2024.05.07 17.12.51 DC	2024.05.07 17.12.51

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