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Post by dogbunny on Jun 22, 2010 15:11:58 GMT -5
Has anyone ever actually checked their condenser the way the Clymer manual says to?
I tried checking a good condenser that is on an operational bike. Actually, the condenser that is hidden under the top engine mount is two condensers, with two leads, one for each condenser, and the condenser case is the ground.
The Clymer manual says to momentarily touch a condenser lead to battery positive (condenser case must be grounded) for a couple of seconds. This charges the condenser (capacitor). Then, touch the same lead to the condenser case (ground). You should get a spark as the condenser discharges.
I have tried this and get nothing, no spark. The bike with the condenser that I tried testing is perfectly operational, with a stock, 1976 wiring system. Am I missing something? Has any one ever done a successful condenser check?
I have other condensers that I want to check, but I would like to get a successful test with my known good condenser first.
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Post by pamcopete on Jun 22, 2010 15:26:42 GMT -5
dogbunny,
Use your voltmeter instead. Just touch the positive lead to the wire of the condenser and the negative to the case. You should see a momentary kick of voltage. Works best with an analog meter.
To test the leakage of the condenser, let the condenser sit for a while after charging it up. The longer you can let it sit and still get a kick, the better the condenser.
Next time you get a new condenser, do these tests so you will have a base line for future testing.
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Post by pops on Jun 22, 2010 21:25:56 GMT -5
I've been known to check a condensor by charging it for a minute or so on a battery charger and tossing it to my brother. If he jumps and cusses me, it's good.
pops
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Post by dogbunny on Jun 23, 2010 12:25:23 GMT -5
pops -- unfortunately I can't use your test method because I don't have a brother... pamcopete -- thanks for the reply. Of course, I don't have an analog meter, and my digital meters were useless for this test. My desire to test my condensers was strong enough that I went to Fry's (I live close to one), and bought this 0-15VDC panel meter for $7: www.frys.com/product/5434389?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PGI tested a known good dual-condenser and three others, and they all checked out the same: the meter needle momentarily indicates about one volt when you discharge the condenser. Not very much of a stored charge! |
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Post by pamcopete on Jun 23, 2010 16:16:15 GMT -5
dogbunny, Well, that's why an analog multimeter would be better because it would be more sensitive and the needle would deflect more before the condenser discharged. The voltage you see on your meter is not the voltage that is stored in the condenser. As soon as you touch the meter to the condenser leads, the condenser starts to discharge and it will discharge completely before the mechanical inertia of the meter has a chance to react. In any event, you only need a relative reading for comparison to other suspect condensers. Now you know. 1 volt is it for a good condenser. The other thing to check is to leave the condenser for a few minutes and before you check it with the meter. The longer it lasts, the lower the internal leakage of the condenser is. In any event, now you have this neat analog meter with the ideal range to check your battery and charging system!  |
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Post by mrriggs on Jun 23, 2010 16:35:10 GMT -5
I tested a known good dual-condenser and three others, and they all checked out the same: the meter needle momentarily indicates about one volt when you discharge the condenser. Not very much of a stored charge! An analog volt meter has a low input resistance, it's the current going through it that moves the needle. A "condenser" is just a small capacitor so it holds little charge. When the condenser is connected to the meter it discharges rapidly. The rush of current will start to move the needle but the condenser will run out of energy before the needle can get up to the voltage that it was charged to. |
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Post by mrriggs on Jun 23, 2010 16:36:26 GMT -5
Pete must type faster than me.
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Post by pamcopete on Jun 23, 2010 20:37:34 GMT -5
Pete must type faster than me. Only when I know the answer..... ;D |
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jun 25, 2010 0:31:15 GMT -5
DogBunny - Pops' method works on anyone - not just a brother (my best friend got me REALLY good several times - and that was with just tiny ones from a PC Board).
Of course I got him back a last year with a 40kv aircraft engine magneto....... ;D
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