Things You'll Need:
- Alligator Clips
- Slotted Screwdrivers
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Step 1
Unplug the power feeding the motor.
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Step 2
Pick up a 20,000-ohm, 2-watt wire resistor at an electronics store. Be sure it's a wire-wound resistor.
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Step 3
Stick a jumper on each end of the resistor, using two jumpers with alligator clips.
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Step 4
Clip one free end of a jumper to the flat edge of a standard screwdriver with an insulated handle.
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Step 5
Attach the final jumper to one terminal of the capacitor.
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Step 6
Touch the tip of the screwdriver to the other terminal.








Comments
Westek17 said
on 9/21/2008 Wire 3 or 4 [good] 60 watt incandescent light bulbs in SERIES (not parallel) then discharge for 30 seconds. Then affirm 0vdc across cap with DVM.
KOwen said
on 7/10/2007 How can I find a 2 watt 20K ohm resistor? I have not found a single place that sells them.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Do not use a screwdriver or other bare metal on a large capacity capacitor. Doing so will literally disintegrate the conductor. It will also produce a large bang with enough force to throw you to the ground. In addition to this being a bad idea for pretty much any sized capacitor (because of the danger), it will also likely damage your capacitor.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 A capacitor, with a good charge on it, can blow a notch in the screwdriver. The screwdriver can actually weld itself to the terminal. Use a resistor and jumpers.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 just put your screwdriver across the terminals and it will discharge. no need to buy a capacitor. (make sure your screwdriver has an insulated handle!)