[AT] AT Digest, Vol 28, Issue 7

[Jason]

I was told by a long time mechanic if the points are wearing well, not
burning one side or the other unevenly to leave the condenser alone as it's
balanced with the coil.

I was told by another magneto rebuilder the importance of cleaning the
points with non - residue alcohol then polishing the points through a good
bond paper.

Jason

On Tue, May 12, 2020, 9:05 AM Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com> wrote:

> Condenser function:  it connects across the points, aka in parallel.
> Points are used to switch current through the coil primary.  Coil primary
> functions like a big inductor - it  stores  energy in a magnetic field, and
> it uses that field to supply energy to oppose any change in current.  It
> can't win, because the energy gets depleted, but it does try. As the points
> open, that implies a sudden change in current from the steady DC value to
> zero.  Inductance responds by trying to keep that current flowing.  It
> "piles up" electrons at the opening points which elevates the voltage
> there.  It would certainly arc, if the condenser wasn't there.  The
> condenser charges up and gives that voltage (that pile of electrons) a
> place to go, thus suppressing the arc and extending the life of the points
> substantially.
>
> SO
>
>
> On Tue, May 12, 2020 at 9:49 AM <szabelski at wildblue.net> wrote:
>
>> Steve,
>>
>> The condenser is actually a capacitor, originally called a condenser
>> (probably because a charge condensed internally) and later called a
>> capacitor. There should be no continuity between the condenser case and the
>> pigtail wire. A capacitor is made of two thin sheets of metal that hold a
>> charge until there is a short between the case and the pigtail. The two
>> thin plates are separated by a thin medium that allows the charge to build
>> up to a specified amount. The purpose of the condenser is to store extra
>> energy and give you that little “extra kick” when discharged.
>>
>> As I said in an earlier post, it is difficult to check a condenser, it
>> takes special equipment. Even if it passes, there is no guarantee how long
>> it will last since the medium that separates the two plates can fail and
>> allow a short between the two plates. The best thing is to try a different
>> condenser. It just has to be one with the same capacity to store the
>> required charge.
>>
>> Carl
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: STEVE ALLEN <steveallen855 at centurytel.net>
>> To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>> Sent: Mon, 11 May 2020 17:39:06 -0400 (EDT)
>> Subject: Re: [AT] AT Digest, Vol 28, Issue 7
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> Message: 7
>> Date: Sun, 10 May 2020 19:53:23 -0500
>> From: Phil Auten <pga2 at basicisp.net>
>> To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>> Subject: Re: [AT] Project Updates '49 A, '51 A, and '47 B (STEVE
>>         ALLEN)
>> Message-ID: <168f1f90-8d7a-1eef-e95e-28fb0fa7e41b at basicisp.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
>>
>> '49A - If your points are clean and reading .5 ohms when closed and .7
>> ohms with cardboard separating the points, your points are shorted. With
>> the cardboard in, they should read an open circuit, and .5 ohms when
>> closed says your contacts aren't making contact well. If you took those
>> measurements with the points installed, disconnect them and retest. If
>> the points read 0.0 ohms closed and open circuit with the cardboard in,
>> then the problem is elsewhere.
>> '49 A: I forgot to mention, if the points measure correctly outside the
>> distributor you may have a bad coil.
>>
>> Phil in TX
>>
>> Phil,
>>
>> Remember that the points set in a Wico X mag is two separate pieces.  If
>> I take them off, I can screw them back together and check for continuity,
>> BUT:  while mounted in the mag,
>> the fixed one is in contact with the case of the mag, and the other, the
>> one that moves, is in contact with the terminal of the condenser.  Now, let
>> me speculate here:
>> the terminal in the condenser does not touch the case of the condenser,
>> right?  So, the two points should not have continuity because the one is
>> connected to the terminal
>> and the other is "connected" (through the case) to the mag case.  UNLESS
>> there is continuity inside the condenser.  I do not understand condensers
>> well at all,
>> but *SHOULD there be continuity between the case of the condenser and the
>> terminal of the condenser*?
>> If not, that may well be my problem (per Cecil).  I will investigate
>> tonight.
>>
>> BTW, I know that the shaft is turning and that the points are opening and
>> closing:  I have verified that much by turning the crank.
>>
>> The "original" Steve Allen
>> Who is avoiding the local Menards
>>
>>
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