Condensor failure of the day !!!!

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Another interesting condensor failure of the day ....

http://www.bubbasignition.com/condensors.html

[30-9]

Hi Bubba

Two questions:

1) What is the symptom of a bad condensor?
2) you mention in the article $32 bucks - is that the cost for us? If not what is?

[flatheadmurre]

Thats what you get after saving money, the springwasher that used to connect the cap to the bottom of the can must be very expensive theese days....
And if the crimping of the can isnt perfect or after a couple of houndred heath cycles when tension is lost...

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Hi Bubba

Two questions:

1) What is the symptom of a bad condensor?
2) you mention in the article $32 bucks - is that the cost for us? If not what is?

The symptom this guy had was a miss fire when warm and then total shut off.
Pretty common for a condensor to fail when it gets hot. A bad condensor ( in the early stages of failure) will fire 5-6 times , miss a couple then fire a few more times , sometimes may even backfire.
Yes the condensor we sell is $32 and i have never seen a defective one.
Primarly for the Ford Flathead Helmet as it asks for a higher capacity than most ignitions at .36 mfds...

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

A great find Jim cutting that condenser open. I wish I still had the Sunnen dist machine I used to use back in the late 50 and 60,s A friend is bringing a coil tester and we'll see if we can figure out how to use it. Walt

[Ol' Ron]

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Jim, what is the future of these Points and condensers? It seems that this is a loosing battle with od age and poor quality replacements. Electronic??

[russcc]

Pat Mason, Mason racing ignitions explained why the modern condenser is no good, and what to look for. The new el cheapo condenser has something like a thin spring washer in them that is supposed to make contact, except the material is crap, and often deforms, especially when heated. When it looses surface contact the condensor fails or is intermittent. If you look at an old, quality condenser and the current Vertex condensor you will see a spot weld point on the can. There is no cheap spring washer, and the spot weld is permanent, so heat does not deform or effect it. That's why they are worth every cent of $32., and last I heard they were still made in Arizona USA. So if your cheap condensor craps out on you in the desert, it's your fault, the $32. looks like a good investment vs being towed for $250.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Jim, what is the future of these Points and condensers? It seems that this is a loosing battle with od age and poor quality replacements. Electronic??

No Ron there is still some really quality parts out there being made new ,
However there still lots of junk as well.

The electronic stuff is sometimes worse quality.....

[Rand]

So this condenor works on 8ba (50merc) as well ?
See my post last week (new miss)
Tks Randy

[frenchy dehoux]

I am using the IH200 Ichlin from the Napa store I use it on my distributor for my V12 Lincoln no problem so far.The were mainly use on magnetos.


Frenchy

[Frank Miller]

I had an Ichlin from NAPA fail $15 so not cheap. I ended up installing a pertronix. Seems like nothing is dependable anymore. As for what works, the condensor is sized according to the coil being used. Too big or too small cause pitting on the points. You can tell whether you need a bigger or smaller one by which way the material is being transferred.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by Frank Miller

I had an Ichlin from NAPA fail $15 so not cheap. I ended up installing a pertronix. Seems like nothing is dependable anymore. As for what works, the condensor is sized according to the coil being used. Too big or too small cause pitting on the points. You can tell whether you need a bigger or smaller one by which way the material is being transferred.

That condenser from bubba would have saved you a couple of bux. From all reports there perfect and don't fail, the same can not be said for the petronics unfortunately.
Probably be wise to still get one from bubba and new points,to swap on when the petronics goes south. That would buy you some dependable.
Martin.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Rand

So this condenor works on 8ba (50merc) as well ?
See my post last week (new miss)
Tks Randy

Works on pretty much everything...