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Author Topic: capacitor storage  (Read 730 times)

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aahhaaa

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Re: capacitor storage
« Reply #33 on: February 12, 2005, 07:29:53 PM »
Hi All- just a couple thoughts...

the most sophisticated consumer device along these lines is the 'old' still camera strobe flash unit. They'd control power, voltage, & speed of cap discharge; they're dirt cheap these days and were built from discrete components so you can easily get a modding handle on the concepts. Prob'ly one in your dad's closet!:]


On caps, will just mention the 'legend': one of Nicola Tesla's confiscated patent contains a resonant design (using coils & caps) that drew power from the Earth's magnetic field. We have capacitors today vastly better than his...

« Last Edit: February 12, 2005, 07:29:53 PM by aahhaaa »
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finnsawyer

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Re: capacitor storage
« Reply #34 on: February 13, 2005, 09:54:17 AM »
Be careful about drawing power from the Earth's magnetic field.  When it's gone the atmosphere's gone (eventually).  Hey, the Earth's magnetic field strength has dropped ten percent in the last hundred years.  Do you think someone is already doing it?
« Last Edit: February 13, 2005, 09:54:17 AM by finnsawyer »
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finnsawyer

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Re: capacitor storage
« Reply #35 on: February 13, 2005, 10:23:35 AM »
To murk the waters some more.  The chemical reaction in a battery causes charges to build up on the anode and cathode.  These "surface" charges act like a capacitor, and that's what allows current to flow instantly, like, well, a capacitor.  You can measure this capacitance if you have an oscilloscope and an ac source.  (Use an isolation transformer.)  Connect a resistor between the battery and the source.  Connect the scope in X-Y mode with the ground at the connection between the resistor and the battery.  The angle of the major axis of the resulting ellipse is related to the value of the capacitance.  The internal resistance of the battery may also affect the results.  Anyone interested that has the equipment can experiment with batteries and capacitors to see what they get.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2005, 10:23:35 AM by finnsawyer »
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finnsawyer

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Re: capacitor storage
« Reply #36 on: February 14, 2005, 09:22:35 AM »
I'm rooting for the Partanen rechargeable aluminum battery.  Still, it's also in the future.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2005, 09:22:35 AM by finnsawyer »
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newguy

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Re: capacitor storage
« Reply #37 on: February 15, 2005, 10:15:02 PM »
dude you are so cool thanks alot
« Last Edit: February 15, 2005, 10:15:02 PM by newguy »
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