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Old 09-13-2013, 03:20 PM   #72
P.S.
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Commiefornia (not for long)
Posts: 1,675
Default Re: Bad Condenser Symptoms?

Just spotted this conversation.

The coil stores, and releases the high voltage energy when the primary circuit is opened. When the primary circuit is opened by the points, there is a natural tendency of the points to spark. The condenser helps suppress that spark so it does not become so violent as to damage the points surfaces quickly.

Second (and most important), the condenser provides a ground for the bottom end of the coil secondary against which the coil works to produce the high voltage spark as the field collapses.
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