Overview

Note on Shipping I am willing to ship internationally, but please check shipping rates on your own before requesting a rate from me. Many customers ask me to calculate rates for them but are deterred by the cost of international shipping. I always ship through USPS and use the most cost-effective service. If making a large purchase, I am willing to offer a volume discount to help subsidize the price of shipping.

For sale are high energy density, high power, double-layer electrolytic "ultra capacitors". These are rugged cells that tolerate lower temperatures than batteries, have robust power cycling characteristics, and can be violently charged and discharged without damaging lifetime. Their lightweight profile and convenient form factor make them excellent additions to existing projects. Further, they offer truly exceptional functionality at the heart of a new project. Ultracapacitor technology is still in its infancy, but widespread adoption is quickly setting in, and they are poised to replace traditional batteries.

These are intended to replace my former ultracapacitor product. Unfortunately my inventory was stolen and I was unable to find a new supply. They were very popular and I've had a lot of requests, so I decided to invested my profits in a bulk purchase of brand new ultracapacitors! I hope the volume discount enables all you tindie tinkerers to affordably take advantage of this cool technology!

Details

• Maximum Operating voltage: 2.7 Volts
• Capacitance: 400 Farads
• ESR: 3.2mOhms (0.0032 Ohms)
• Peak Current: 2.7/0.0032 = 843.75 Amps
• Peak Power: 843.75*2.7 = 2278.125 Watts
• Energy Capacity: 1458 Joules
• Maximum Temperature: Lifetime of 1500 Hours at 60C
• Net capacitance can be increased by connecting these in parallel.
• Net resistance can be decreased by connecting these in parallel.
• Max current can be increased by connecting these in parallel.
• Max voltage can be increased by connecting these in series.
• Net stored energy can be increased by connecting these in parallel or series.

Important Note: As with all electrolytic capacitors, it is important to never exceed the voltage rating, or reverse the polarity. This could boil the electrolyte which will damage the cell, and cause them to swell and explode.

Use Cases

Motors:

Refrigerator and HVAC compressors use low-capacitance, high voltage capacitors to provide a surge of power on startup that residential electrical lines cannot achieve. Similarly in many DC applications low voltage, high capacitance capacitors like these ones are used to provide high "stall currents" that would otherwise damage the battery and/or motor controller.

Automotive:

My interest in ultracapacitors was originally sparked when I needed to replace a motorcycle battery. I knew a lead acid battery was destined for a short life and would leave me stranded on a cold day, so I searched for alternatives. Each of these capacitors can produce a peak current of nearly 850A, which is better than most high-end car batteries. Six of these in series can easily start a motorcycle or car engine, and I've even seen them start diesel marine engines. Lead acid batteries are sensitive to low temperatures and quickly develop a high internal resistance after multiple cranking cycles. In contrast, these capacitors have limited sensitivity to the cold, do not develop a higher resistance after high discharge, and do not suffer any damage after a complete discharge. A bank of capacitors can serve as a unique alternative to a battery, or an invaluable supplement. Many new hybrid electric busses use these capacitors in lieu of batteries due to their decreased weight and ability to handle the demanding charge/recharge cycles of stop-and-go driving.

Laser cutting, 3D printing, welding:

This kind of capacitor is commonly used as an energy reservoirs for the pulsed lasers used in engraving, metal powder 3D printing (selective laser sintering), laser cutting, etc. They are also used in a similar fashion for solid state plasma cutters and spot welders. Incidentally, a spot welder is a remarkably achievable DIY project.

Solar:

Solar arrays commonly rely on a bank of capacitors wired in parallel for energy storage because their low internal resistance and tolerance for power cycling makes them ideally suited to handle the irregular flow of energy from solar panels.

RC aircraft power

In an application where weight and power are of critical concern, it is hard to do better than an ultracapacitor. Ultracapacitors have a much higher energy/weight and power/weight ratio than even lithuium batteries, which can translate to increased fly time for lightweight planes, helicopters, and quadrocopters. I haven't gotten around to this project yet, but I've been imagining a quadrocopter with an ultracapacitor battery paired with a charging dock. After draining its cells for a few minutes, it could dock for a few seconds to charge, and keep on flying!

Miscellaneous Projects:

Electromagnetic Railguns are a common hobbyist project which rely on strong magnetic fields to accelerate a projectile. This requires precise repeatability and exceptionally high current capacity which designers almost universally rely on ultracapacitors for.

Ultracapacitor Flashlights are also a common hobbyist project. These capacitors conveniently operate at the same voltage as most high power LEDs, which makes it easy to rig up a portable light source. A flashlight like this is lightweight, charges nearly instantly, and won't lose capacity when completely drained.

"Presta-Charge" is a silly name I just invented to highlight another important feature of ultracapacitors. They are capable of exceptionally fast discharge, but they can recharge just as quickly. I've used this to make a rapid-charge portable power supply for opportunistic charges in airports, or busy mornings when I wake up to a dead phone