How do you make a capacitor-discharging tool?

[inverseroom]

I figure, take some wire, put an alligator clip on one end and a probe on the other, and a resistor in the middle. But what value resistor? This would be for small guitar tube amps.

John.

[Kyle]

A screwdriver works pretty well. Just keep your hand off the metal.

[biasvoltage]

Screwdriver is SCARY!! I use whatever resistor I happen to have lying around at the time, which when I'm working on one of my amps will probably be something like a 1/2w 100k. I just leave it on both legs of the cap for a while, and then I'll finish off by shorting it with a screwdriver. I feel that shorting it right away might be a little hard on the cap. It's fun watching the sparks jump and my hair stand on end and feeling my heart stop beating and all that, but the resistor method has its merits.


chuck

[wayne kerr]

I like to use my tongue... or someone else's

[I'm Painting Again]

haha..tounge hahah

[NewYorkDave]

A screwdriver is great if you want to fuck up your caps. You think they like dumping current into a short circuit? The loud "bang" and the burnt screwdriver aren't pleasant, either. A 10K, 5W or better wirewound would work fine. Higher resistances are even more gentle, but take longer to discharge. Check with a voltmeter to confirm that the caps are truly discharged. It sounds obvious, but be extra-sure to remove the charge-bleeding resistor(s) before you turn on the amp again. I've forgotten at least a couple of times...

[vvv]

Didja ever notice how when you get a shock from grabbing a cap, your instinct (at least mine) is to grab it again?

And aAgain?

[wayne kerr]

Didja ever notice how when you get a shock from grabbing a cap, your instinct (at least mine) is to grab it again?

And aAgain?

Sorry sir, I dropped your hotdog in the fryer... I'll get it... OW! I'll get it... OW! I'll get it... OW!

heheheh

E