DIY Cap Bank

[FloatDaBoat]

Parts List:

1. Fiberglass plate, 2” X 1.5”
2. Copper Sheet, 0.025” thickness, cut to size w/mini hacksaw
3. 12 AWG silicone wire w/3.5 mm bullet connectors
4. Cornell Dubilier Radial Caps, 1000 uF, 50vdc, 16 mm X 25 mm
5. Liquid Tape (mfg. by Plasti Dip)


I designed this cap bank as an adjunct to my SeaKing 180A ESC. I wanted it easily removable, hence the 3.5 mm bullets. The way I attached the 12 gauge wire leads allows them to be positioned to many different angles, a requirement as the cap banks' final location inside the hull hasn't been finalized. Once that has been determined, I'll be able to finger-out the arrangement of the wires/connectors that will be soldered to the ESC.


Pics:

[Steven Vaccaro]

cool, what did it cost in parts?

[FloatDaBoat]

I had everything on hand except the caps ($1.70 each + tax, handling, & shipping from Allied Electronics ... $23.17 total) & Liquid Tape ($4.95). Not CHEAP !!!

[bwells]

Where do you plan on hooking those bullets into the battery leads? From what I understand, the connection needs to be as close as possible to the ESC. That is a nice set and I am having a problem with placement as well. Very refreshing thread as good English is used, sentence structure, spelling, ETC. BUT, change post 1 to say "figure out" instead of "finger-out". Just a thought and do not mean anything by it!

[FloatDaBoat]

The battery leads on a SeaKing 180A ESC are attached using vertical sockets on the top side of the terminal board. I will solder the connecting wires directly to the underside of the terminal posts on the bottom of the board.

"Finger-Out" is a slang way of stating "Figure Out" - - HAW !!!

[bwells]

Thank you, my mistake!

[JackBlack26]

Awesome writeup!! I have to make one for each of my 180s now, lol.

[sailr]

could you show it with the 180 esc showing how it is hooked up?

[Steven Vaccaro]

How does a person figure out how many caps they need? Some esc's have one, some two and so on.

[sailr]

Good question! The whole CAP thing continues to mystify me a bit. I understand what they do and all but how to choose how many, the values, etc. is still a little beyond my little pea brain!

[Steven Vaccaro]

Good question! The whole CAP thing continues to mystify me a bit. I understand what they do and all but how to choose how many, the values, etc. is still a little beyond my little pea brain!

Its well above "my pay grade".

[m4a1usr]

It is a question that seems to not have one decent answer. How much is enough. There was a thread where DrWayne replied with his answer but like a dummie I did not save it. It was based on his experience, experimentation and knowledge. But I have saved these little tid bits to read thru in case you want to from a concensus.

John

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...highlight=caps

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...highlight=caps

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...highlight=caps

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...t=13980&page=2

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...highlight=caps

[sailr]

There might be a good little business for someone who would make Cap Banks for specific ESC's, like the Seakings, Swordfish, etc. etc. They could make them for 4S, 6S, 8S, etc.

I'll bet Steven would be interested in selling them!?

[H2OCamel]

This is all info I would like to know as well.

[FloatDaBoat]

Here's a pic of the Bank connected to the ESC as it will be installed in the boat . . . .