Ignition system question.

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I abandoned the Pertronix attempt for the moment, due to the fact that the device won't fit on a 48-49 breaker plate.



I installed new points, condenser, and swapped out my 4.5 ohm coil for a Pertronix Flamethrower (1.5 ohm). I didn't wire in a ballast resistor.



The car ran (past tense) great! for about 3 miles, then suddenly cut out. It's unlikely the gap in the points changed. I think I killed something.



Am I more likely to have killed the coil or the condenser. I'll definately wire in the resister if I havn't killed the coil.



I can't figure out how the condenser is supposed to work. The thing has one connection. heh.



-Chris

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I can only assume sense you was trying to install Pentronix you have converted to 12 volts. If you put 12 volts to a coil you will go about 3 miles befor you turn the end of the points blue and stop the car. I am not sure i can explane a condencer but it is a storage unit for hi voltage in a ingtion system. When the points brake it releases high voltage to the spark plug wires.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    LJ wrote:
    I can only assume sense you was trying to install Pentronix you have converted to 12 volts. If you put 12 volts to a coil you will go about 3 miles befor you turn the end of the points blue and stop the car. I am not sure i can explane a condencer but it is a storage unit for hi voltage in a ingtion system. When the points brake it releases high voltage to the spark plug wires.





    Yep, converted to 12v and used a 12v Flame Thrower Pertronix coil. I'll stick a VOM accross the coil tomorrow and see if I still get 1.5 ohms. I assume if the coil is toast, it will be open (inf ohms). I can also see if the points still open and close, but I don't think that's the problem.



    I wonder how I test the condenser.



    Thanks;

    -Chris
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    The definition of a condenser or capacitor is two conductors separated by insulator. A condenser works by storing a change on the insulator when a voltage is applied cross the two conductors i.e. the positive terminal of a battery is connected to one conductor and the negitive terminal is connected to the other conductor. The condensers job in an ignition system is prevent arcing cross the points when the points open by providing a path for the current to go to by changing up and then dischanging into the coil has the spark occurs. You cannot hurt a condenser by over current. When condenser reaches full change (the battery voltage in this case) it stop conducting current. The only thing the lower resistance of the Flame Thrower Pertronix coil did to the condenser was to make it charge up faster. You burned out the coil or points or both when you used the Flame Thrower Pertronix coil without a ballast resistor because the current when from 2.7 amps with the 4.5 ohm coil to 8 amps with the 1.5 ohm Flame Thrower Pertronix coil.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I figured the condensor must be a cap, but I guess when I tested it, I used much too low a voltage. I still get 1.5 ohms accross the coil, so I suspect it's ok.



    Maybe the points are what got fried. I'll test em when I get a chance.



    Thanks;

    -Chris
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