Q on condenser

[emmaloulov]

Is there a way to ck a condenser/ and is there a diference in them ie would a condenser from a lawnmower work in a outboard. just trying to get educated. thanks for any respnse.

 

[F_R]

Re: Q on condenser

Is there a way to ck a condenser/ and is there a diference in them ie would a condenser from a lawnmower work in a outboard. just trying to get educated. thanks for any respnse.

You need a capacitance checker to do a good test. However, you can do a crude test with an analog multimeter. Connect the meter leads to the condenser lead and ground. The meter lead should "kick" in the zero direction and slowly return back toward infinity. That indicates it is taking a charge. Reverse the meter leads and it will kick again. Hands off the leads while doing it because the electricity will bleed off through your body instead of charge the condenser.

The ohms reading once the condenser is charged indicates the leakage. Infinity is perfect, but there is no such thing as a perfect paper capacitor. But the higher the ohms, the better

A lawn mower condenser will work after a fashion, you just don't know the capacity (microfarads). That is where the capacitor checker comes in.

 

[emmaloulov]

Re: Q on condenser

Thanks FR thats a big help and it takes my IQ up a much needed notch.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Q on condenser

In addition to what was said, Condensers are usually matched to the coil, somewhat. Ford used a .25 microfarad condenser with their standard coils, on their 60s cars.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Q on condenser

Condensers are usually matched to the coil,

Ditto F_R


Capacitors are indeed matched to the coil. The odds of a lawnmower and OB having the same spec are slim and none. When a over or under capacity capacitor is used in an ignition circuit, the points will not wear evenly resulting in "pits" and "valleys" in either contact.

cheers