View Single Post
Old 11-17-2018, 07:59 PM   #105 (permalink)
Ecky
Master EcoModder
 
Ecky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,005

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 42.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,866
Thanked 2,501 Times in 1,547 Posts
I can't see charging the caps higher as being realistic.

Due to the size of the capacitors, I think a decent sized battery in parallel is absolutely necessary: one that can potentially even take a starting load, even if it's not a full sized car battery. Hop in the car, turn the radio and lights on, fiddle with your phone for a minute before leaving, the car doesn't start and you're stranded - that's just not acceptable. Starting at the voltage an alternator charges, you can't have the key in the ignition without starting the car for more than a minute or two.

Given my experience with these, I feel like a set of caps in the range of 1000F+ is more appropriate for starting a car on their own. There's some forgiveness there.
  Reply With Quote