The Ford Barn

dielsalder · 01-03-2021, 08:27 AM

Hi all, car novice here, just trying to keep my late grandfather’s ‘34 roadster running! I’m having problems burning up a couple of condensers. Each one lasts maybe 15min, and then the engine sounds like it’s missing before dying completely (I’m using NOS ones found on eBay, no idea on specs; I recently bought some Napa’s IH200 but need to solder a ground strap and figure out how to attach the other end to the brass part of the coil).

Car is running off an 8V battery, positive ground. I’ve measured voltage at the ignition coil (rebuilt coil by Skip) at 3.7V with ignition on (sometimes when I flip the ignition on, I read a full 8.5V! I have a NOS ballast resistor I plan to try later). With the car running the voltage reading jumps around between -30V and +30V (I expected a steady smooth voltage while running due to the action of the condenser, perhaps I’m wrong?). I haven’t checked the output voltage of the generator + voltage regulator yet.

Last question, I’m thinking about converting back to the original 6V positive ground (anyone know which battery would fit in the wire cage under the driver’s floorboard?). Other than simply swapping the batteries, is there anything else I need to do? Do I need to adjust the generator and voltage regulator? Also, will the car have enough juice to start, ~2.6V?

Thanks so much, this sounds like a good community here! -Brian

01-03-2021, 08:27 AM	#1
dielsalder Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 1	‘34 electrical issues and 8V->6V conversion Hi all, car novice here, just trying to keep my late grandfather’s ‘34 roadster running! I’m having problems burning up a couple of condensers. Each one lasts maybe 15min, and then the engine sounds like it’s missing before dying completely (I’m using NOS ones found on eBay, no idea on specs; I recently bought some Napa’s IH200 but need to solder a ground strap and figure out how to attach the other end to the brass part of the coil). Car is running off an 8V battery, positive ground. I’ve measured voltage at the ignition coil (rebuilt coil by Skip) at 3.7V with ignition on (sometimes when I flip the ignition on, I read a full 8.5V! I have a NOS ballast resistor I plan to try later). With the car running the voltage reading jumps around between -30V and +30V (I expected a steady smooth voltage while running due to the action of the condenser, perhaps I’m wrong?). I haven’t checked the output voltage of the generator + voltage regulator yet. Last question, I’m thinking about converting back to the original 6V positive ground (anyone know which battery would fit in the wire cage under the driver’s floorboard?). Other than simply swapping the batteries, is there anything else I need to do? Do I need to adjust the generator and voltage regulator? Also, will the car have enough juice to start, ~2.6V? Thanks so much, this sounds like a good community here! -Brian