35v 470uf Capacitor able to Replace a 63v 470uf Cap?

Question

Hello all. I am a newb with electronics, however I just built an electric bike and managed to reverse the polarities. Doh! I took the controller apart and two of the caps were blown. I went to the local radioshack but all the had were 35v caps instead of the 63v that were supplied. Sooo, my question is will the 35v probably suffice. I am running the bike at 36 volts, so I was thinking the 35 volt cap could probably take it, and the manufacturer used 63v for overkill. What do you guys think? Cheers.

Answer 1

Those caps are most likely for the electric motor itself and delay the current a little to the motor windings...so the voltage rating is important as coils can generate voltages higher then the battery supply..

What you can do is place 2 of the capacitors you have in series to make one...this will raise the voltage to 70volts...and although it will also change the amount of capacitance....probably not enough to change the motors operation appreciably...

This of course means you have to buy 2 more capacitors!

Good luck!

Answer 2

NO

Yes, the 63 volts may be overkill, but maybe not. I'd have to see the circuit it's in. Get something 63 volts or higher.

I am puzzled by the strange voltage. usually voltages are 50, 75, 100 volts. It may be an AC capacitor, maybe the controller uses AC to drive the motor. Check that the caps may be non-polarized AC caps, in which case you need a similar one.

Note also that a 36 volt battery can reach 42-44 volts under charge, so a 35 volt cap will not work.

.