Ultra-capacitor review

Teth-Air · Jan 4, 2018

I tested for about 10 rides in a Polaris and now a Ski-doo e-tec)

Pros:

Closest thing to SHOT with old-school starter.
Less expensive than most lithium batteries.
Much longer life cycle than lithium batteries (1/2 million cycles).
3 starts per charge.
charges in 10 minutes at idle.
comes with charge resistor to protect charging system. (instructions supplied).
smaller than a battery.
2.5 lbs
no separate battery required.

Cons:

Case is not waterproof, silicon or other sealing required.
cables are too long.
3 week delivery.
manufacturer is not likely to help with warranty issues.
about same thickness and height as the battery but 1/2 the length so mounting needs to be considered.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B017FY67P0/ref=pe_386430_126088100_TE_item

I was hoping to rep this product but the manufacturer is difficult to deal with so you guys are on your own for buying from the internet.

Overall I give this product a definite thumbs up.

sledneck__11 · Jan 4, 2018

for people who don't no about capacitors make sure to drain them before screwing around with them or you will get a nice surprise lol, awesome idea though. I will probably give one a try cheap way to loose some weight

lilduke · Jan 4, 2018

You could use a car audio capacitor instead, might be easier to find local.

smc · Jan 4, 2018

The ultra capacitor teth air used is equal to 30 of those car capacitors.

Here’s basically the same one with free slow shipping for those that want to try it.
https://m.aliexpress.com/s/item/32757724104.html?spm=a2g0n.search-cache.0.0.4763ce2bwPbgau

Teth-Air · Jan 4, 2018

sledneck__11 said:
for people who don't no about capacitors make sure to drain them before screwing around with them or you will get a nice surprise lol, awesome idea though. I will probably give one a try cheap way to loose some weight

Yes, you won't get shocked at that voltage but it can pull a pretty big arc and maybe damage something. The resistor is 50 watt and can be used for draining.

Dawizman · Jan 4, 2018

What did you use to seal it? I'm in need of a battery anyway, may as well go this route.

snochuk · Jan 5, 2018

Other than saving battery weight what does this do?
Enough juice for cold morning starts?
Just get the light weight battery?

Looking for the advantages.

skegpro · Jan 5, 2018

snochuk said:
Other than saving battery weight what does this do?
Enough juice for cold morning starts?
Just get the light weight battery?

Looking for the advantages.

That new Earth x battery is 2.2lbs......

Teth-Air · Jan 5, 2018

Dawizman said:
What did you use to seal it? I'm in need of a battery anyway, may as well go this route.

Best bet is to us electronic grade potting epoxy and fill the enclosure enough to cover the pc board. The capacitor barrels do not need to be submerged. If this is a big deal then use silicon or goop glue around all the seams of the enclosure and the grommets where the cables exit.

Teth-Air · Jan 5, 2018

skegpro said:
That new Earth x battery is 2.2lbs......

If you want to buy a new one every 18 months go ahead. Mine was Earth-x that I had.

lilduke · Jan 5, 2018

Just throwing out ideas here, what about a 12v dewalt battery? They are light and they last more than a year.

Probably better quality then a earth x?

Chump · Jan 5, 2018

those lithium dewalt batteries suck in the cold....

lilduke · Jan 5, 2018

Chump said:
those lithium dewalt batteries suck in the cold....

Guess that wont work then haha

Chump · Jan 5, 2018

honestly I think save the weight, and hastle of dealing with batteries. Just pull start! Maybe in a few years when batteries surpass using lithium. I have an rc car that uses a "lipo" rechargeable. This battery continues to amaze me. Quick charges and last forever. I've used it in the cold but not sure about longevity in it. Although it does say may catch fire and explode....

Teth-Air · Jan 5, 2018

One major downfall with lithium batteries is that they cells charge unevenly. They require a balance charger to do it right. This requires monitoring all cells separately and batteries without circuitry to do this just won't last. You either need a special charger or the circuitry to be built into the battery itself.

TROLLCAT · Jan 5, 2018

So this will replace a battery and no other changes to sled ?

Lund · Jan 6, 2018

The lithium batteries are very expensive, i have been using them since 2012. My first one went in my Nytro and i got 3 full season out of the first one.
The second one which is now in my Winder is already 3 season's old, plus one season it sat on the bench and no issue. You do require a special charger to maintain them, in which i do have. To properly set up with a lithium battery for a sled with charger it will set you back nearly $700. as the charger is nearly half the cost of the battery.
I have never had an issue starting the sled but then the coldest it may had been is maybe -15 and traveling on a truck deck. I do travel always with travel cover though. I don't really go out when the temps drop much more.
I think the capacitor power storage is a great idea but like all electrical storage device, temperature will effect it in storage capability and longevity.
If your strictly relying on electric start such as a women riders, battery is the way. If your just looking into making life easier during the day of riding by getting away from the pull cord then the capacitor is great but don't expect it to work if it sit's awhile as capacitor discharge is normal, non remain charged very long.

FYI, i don't use EarthX batteries.

ducati · Jan 6, 2018

I used Earth X religiously for awhile on everything I owned. They were great batteries and lightweight with killer Cold Crank Amps but they are proving to only last a small number of years. Really interesting in the ultra capacitor solution. Use them at work in industrial applications so a consumer application for sleds, bikes, etc would be great.

LBZ · Jan 6, 2018

Anyone ever put an amp clamp on the battery cables to see what kind of current most starters draw?

Dawizman · Jan 6, 2018

LBZ said:
Anyone ever put an amp clamp on the battery cables to see what kind of current most starters draw?

Might have to give that a try. I would imagine somewhere in the 50amp starting current range, maybe 25amps continuous.

Ultra-capacitor review

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