Capacitor as a power supply circuit?

First - you need step converter. See had post for a nce guide on step dc-dc converters. Second - make sure you won't draw _too_ much current.

Some supercaps may die becase of that. Third - make sure you send the result to HaD once done.

I've never tried it with supercaps, but you could try using a step up converter like the max756 (min voltage is like 1.2V startup and .7V running). It will step the voltage to 5V, is around 87% efficient, and can supply like 200mA or so. It is easy to build, comes in a dip package, and maxim offers free samples.

Hope this helps.

All the combinations you could make with ultracapacitors have their advantages. Disadvantages first: 1. One capacitor at 2.7V will drop voltage to unusable level faster than two capacitors in series in 5V setup.2.

Two capacitor in series might have unequal capacitance causing one to reversely charge the other, similar as in series connection for batteries. You'll need a way to monitor voltage on both of capacitors, and a way to balance both of them while charging / discharging. Advantages: 1.

Single capacitor or two capacitors in parallel will have simple monitoring circuit or no monitoring circuit at all. 2. Two capacitors in series will have more voltage and might have more usable energy, depending on your design of step up converter.

Before you decide to buy one or two of them see it the charge / discharge current and life cycles suit your needs. A simple way to make step up converter is to make joule thief circuit. However this circuit is simple and mindless DC-DC converter, and as voltage drops on capacitors the output voltage will drop too.To achieve usable constant DC voltage additional circuit must be constructed to control the joule thief.

That I'm afraid will be tricky part.

I think what you want to build is something like this module from maxfarad. Com:

I also think you are right about the load levelling needed in a stack of series capacitors. And if you are going the combo boost/buck (remember, you said 2V and the super caps go up to 2.7V so you need a switching power supply that can do both) switching power supply route, you can avoid the whole mess by keeping your capacitors in parallel.

Normally, (well, at least the applications I've seen) super cap backed up circuits draw minimal current (i.e. Low power static ram or clocks). So little or no effort is made to sustain a constant voltage.

What you want to do is a bit unusual. I would think people would more often use batteries. The only advantage of super caps over batteries I can think of is a quick charge and discharge rate.

Anyone know of other advantages? -good luck.

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