[AT] AT Digest, Vol 28, Issue 7

Tue May 12 09:49:03 PDT 2020

Steve:
That is the best description of a condenser I have heard!
Cecil

On 5/12/2020 9:04 AM, Stephen Offiler 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 
> <mailto: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
>     <mailto:steveallen855 at centurytel.net>>
>     To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com <mailto: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 <mailto:pga2 at basicisp.net>>
>     To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com <mailto: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
>     <mailto: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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