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How to Form an Electrolytic Capacitor

Capacitors are designed to both store and release electricity as needed in an electronic circuit. A capacitor typically consists of metal plates or foil in which the electric charges are held. The plates or foil are separated from each other in layers with an intervening dielectric material that prevents the plates from touching. It is the dielectric by which capacitors are labeled. One example is an electrolytic capacitor that uses an electrolyte paste or chemical layer as the dielectric. A simple, but effective, electrolytic capacitor can be made using a few common items.

Two 2-inch square copper-clad PC boards
Two sheets of activated carbon filter (available at aquarium stores)
Paper towel
Rubber bands
Resin core solder
15-watt soldering iron
Two 4-inch lengths of hookup wire
Lemons

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the activated carbon sheet(s) into five smaller sheets measuring 1 3/4 square inches. Cut the paper towels into four small sheets measuring 2 inches square.
- 2
  Solder one end of the two 4-inch hookup wires to the copper side of each of the two copper-clad PC boards.
- 3
  Lay one wired copper-clad PC board down with the copper side facing up
- 4
  Lay and center one small sheet of activated carbon on the copper side of the copper-clad PC board. Alternate layering the four small sheets of paper towel and the remaining four small sheets of activated carbon. Lay the second wired copper-clad PC board --- with the copper foil face down --- on top of the last layer of activated carbon.
- 5
  Bind the assemblage with rubber bands to hold the layers together. Soak the layers of paper towels and activated carbon with lemon juice. The electrolytic capacitor is now ready for charging.

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