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Post by Penguin45 on Jan 10, 2017 19:16:09 GMT
David asked me to get some pictures next time I changed the condenser on my car. This has happened rather sooner than expected! The Austin refused to start yesterday - replacing the condenser got it going again. This was an Intermotor condenser and has done approximately 1200 miles.  Before.  Bits separated. Note "battered" appearance of the end of the foil winding.  And the other end, very similar.  Internal contact onto end of the foil winding. It just rests on top.  Black marks at the bottom of the can - presumably burn marks from short circuiting.  Finally, I unpicked the outer wrap (like trying to find the end of a roll of Sellotape but worse!) and unrolled the foil. I thought that there might be evidence of shorting or burning to be seen, but no. It appears to the ends which have suffered. Chris. |
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Post by landcrabman on Jan 10, 2017 20:27:46 GMT
Hi chris , remember years ago my old landcrab used to start sputtering every time I went up a steepish hill changing the condenser fixed it . Cause of the problem was the coil , just a note when I worked at my local garage we never changed condensers on a service , because of the risk of a faulty one being fitted.
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Post by Penguin45 on Jan 10, 2017 23:44:53 GMT
Yup, so much rubbish around these days. I had thought that the Intermotor one was "NOS", but evidently not. I've given up buying anything Lucas in a green box.
Chris.
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Post by dave1800 on Jan 11, 2017 1:13:05 GMT
Chris, thanks for the photos very interesting. Have you thought about using a high quality electronic capacitor (condensor) from a reputable manufacturer and supplier eg RS / Farnell - 0.22 uf 600V. It may have to be mounted outside the distributor if too large and to protect it from heat degradation. Has anyone found a reliable source of the Lucas stye? It's so crazy these coud be made 60 years ago that would last for decades. Edit I have now found this article that describes the failures and offers an alternative "electronics" capacitor and also a Bosch distributor condensor that appears to be better constructed and said to fit Lucas distributors. alternative condensors David Yup, so much rubbish around these days. I had thought that the Intermotor one was "NOS", but evidently not. I've given up buying anything Lucas in a green box. Chris. |
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Post by dave1800 on Jan 11, 2017 1:26:26 GMT
Wayne, that's interesting to know faulty condensors are not just a new phenomenon athough it appears they have hit new lows in reliability. I recall Tony Wood finding his car's loss of performance uphill was down to a faulty coil. A faulty condensor would allow a higher voltage of short duration to build up on the coil primary when the CB opens. A good condensor limits this to typically < 400 volts. Electronic systems not using condensors but the same or similar coils (that may or may not use the points) have electronic clamps to limit the primary voltage, known as back EMF, typically to somewhere beteen 300-430 volts. This avoids damaging the switching transistor and I believe also helps prevent coil damage. (Electronic systems without points and condensor switch much faster and this creates a significantly higher primary back EMF (voltage) hence the need for the clamp. Over time I beieve a failing condensor could well weaken the coil primary insulation and lead to coil failure, although I have not been able to find anything definitive to support my thinking from my Google searches. So what is the advice if a condensor goes bad? I guess my advice it is to carry a spare coil and condensor (always a good idea) as if there is coil damage it may not be immediately apparent and only show up for example when the coil is hot. Hope this makes some sense! regards David Hi chris , remember years ago my old landcrab used to start sputtering every time I went up a steepish hill changing the condenser fixed it . Cause of the problem was the coil , just a note when I worked at my local garage we never changed condensers on a service , because of the risk of a faulty one being fitted. |
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Post by Penguin45 on Jan 12, 2017 0:16:25 GMT
Chris, thanks for the photos very interesting. Have you thought about using a high quality electronic capacitor (condensor) from a reputable manufacturer and supplier eg RS / Farnell - 0.22 uf 600V. It may have to be mounted outside the distributor if too large and to protect it from heat degradation. I hadn't, but the brain is now turning slowly.... Has anyone found a reliable source of the Lucas stye? It's so crazy these coud be made 60 years ago that would last for decades. Martin Jay THE DISTRIBUTOR DOCTOR has quite a bit to say on the subject. I have bought points and rotor arms from him before and they seem to last well. I nipped down to MOSS as it's local. They sell what are claimed to be high quality condensers. I'll see what happens. I have now found this article that describes the failures and offers an alternative "electronics" capacitor and also a Bosch distributor condensor that appears to be better constructed and said to fit Lucas distributors. alternative condensors David Good read - surprised to find some very similar photographs! I suppose I shouldn't be - it'll be the same the whole world over. Food for thought though. I like the idea of Bosch. I tend to buy Bosch power tools, their washing machines are highly servicable (Other hat, sorry!) and they seem to be a company who have stood their ground a bit in the ever cheapening consumer market. Chris. |
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Post by Penguin45 on Feb 22, 2017 19:03:59 GMT
And another one....... five weeks. Harumph. Went and bought a Bosch condenser from the local motor factors for £10. Which, odddly enough, is the same price as the "High Quality" Lucas-type condenser I bought from Moss last time. Cut off the connector, crimped on a piggy back terminal, drilled and tapped the flange of the distributor to M4 and screwed it on. Tag onto the output insulator, lead onto the piggy back, job done. Started first turn.  Bosch part number 1 237 330 162. What can possibly go wrong? It says "Made in Turkey" on the box....... Chris. |
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Post by dave1800 on Feb 23, 2017 0:30:26 GMT
I think I'll buy shares in auto condensor manufacturers! Are you going for some kind of record?
David
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Post by Penguin45 on Feb 23, 2017 9:13:50 GMT
Bosch - quality, innit?  Hopefully that'll be an end of it. Chris. |
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Hopefully that'll be an end of it.