What does a capacitor do?

Answer 1

While high voltage caps are dangerous, low voltage (high capacitance) capacitors can still melt a small screwdriver in half at full charge with a very impressive spark and molten metal flying off.

In car audio, they are used to aid the electrical system when the amp requests a high demand (big bass hit) by providing an instantaneous surge of power for a split second. Capacitors are much faster than their battery counterparts.

When shopping for capacitors, brand means so little, but the lower the ESR the better. Don't buy into the 24 volt variety as a cap only holds what is put in. So a 16 volt will do just fine for a 13.8 volt system.

Answer 2

They can act as an energy storage/source or can be used in filters, and many other uses. Basically an electric differential is developed across the 2 sections of the capacitor and the charge is stored.

Answer 3

Here's a streight answer ...

If u have 1000W+ sound system and don't have an adequate deep cycle battery ur front and tail lights are fading out when the bass punches. If u dont want to buy big capacity deep cycle battery u can buy a capacitor and problem solved !!

Answer 4

some appliances , tv , fridge etc. need a large amount of electricity on initial start up , they have a capacitor because a capacitor stares a large amount of electricity and has the ability to release it all at once , they are very dangerous . i worked on a tv once that wasn't plugged in , touched the wrong thing and my finger was literally smoking , very bad shock , be carefull they could easily kill u good luck

Answer 5

THE ANSWER CAN BE FOUND IN GREAT DETAIL AT:
http://www.capacitorindustries.com/Tutorials/Motor%20Starting%20Capacitors.htm