Ignition condenser ?

[flatboy1950]

Do condensers die of old age ? I have been told that that they do , now being about 80 years old ??
Replacements are easily acquired from any motor spares place for about $3. here in South Africa.
Some local gent has advertised a NOS HD condenser for about $53.00 ; very expensive if it will soon die !!

Flatboy 1950.

[svkiwi]

Condensers can die at any time. It is hard nowadays to find a quality condenser; just because it is new, does not necessarily mean it's any good. But, you can buy many more modern condensers and get a good one, than buying an old nos condenser which is probably well on the way to dying, if not already so!

[old man emu]

What are the specs of the capacitor for a 45? I mean how many micro-farads.

[Mongrel505558]

What are the specs of the capacitor for a 45? I mean how many micro-farads.

That's a good question. I wish I could tell you the answer. What are the specs for a big twin cap? Don't know that either, but the two are probably pretty close. A quick google of automotive points ignition condensers brought me to a Studebaker site that said most automotive capacitors are in the range of 0.22 - 0.25 microfarads, which is not as big as I expected. I use Blue Streak points and condenser for a late sixties in-line six Chevy in my '68 FLH.

Jim

[RUBONE]

The condensers used on all H-Ds from '30 up are all the same rating despite the model. Any battery and coil points ignition condenser from '30-the advent of the electronic ignition in the late '70s will interchange. Only the wire lead is different. So WL, UL, EL, FL. K, XL, etc are all the same.

[svkiwi]

I use a 'Bosch' brand condenser for Nissan Skyline in all my vintage machines, Harley included. I think they're rated at .25 micro-farads. They work good, I think I had to slightly trim the mounting ear to fit inside the timer on the Harley [auto-advance timer]

[Excalibur]

While we're on the subject.. after trying multiple condensers, branded, NOS, etc, I bought an industrial grade capacitor. It worked, though it didn't solve the particular problem at the time. Eventually I went to Dynatech ignition with the industrial cap now redundant.
Below is some of the details May 2018..

Cannister made from steel tubing. Capacitor 0.22 microfarad, 1000v

ca1.jpg (20.38 KiB) Viewed 372 times

Pigtail lead with rubber grommet fixed with epoxy resin

ca2.jpg (17.76 KiB) Viewed 372 times

Hope this is interesting.
(More info on my Panhead blog..)

[panzer45]

You can always convert it to electronic ignition. I had one in my 42WLA for years and never had a problem with the conversion. They work with 6 or 12volt systems. And it’s an upgrade that you don’t necessarily see if your trying to keep it as original as possible.
Mike