Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky
And the LEDs? The diagrams I've found use several transistors, looks like it's the design used by most of the "protection boards" sold on eBay.
Is it simply a small LED with an activation voltage of ~2.5v on each capacitor, designed to very gradually run them all down to an equivalent level?
EDIT: 6 caps ordered.  |
It's been a while since I tried balancing caps. Basically you want the LED and diode to equal about the maximum voltage of the cap. So you want a voltage drop of about 2.5v. When a cap goes above about 2.5V, you want the LED burning that voltage so it levels out.
I don't really think any of that is necessary in a super cap bank for automotive purposes, but putting in the balance diode and LED is cheap insurance. The higher charged caps will bleed off charge faster anyhow, creating a natural balance.