<VV> superfluous condenser?

Andy Clark slowboat at mindspring.com
Mon Jan 22 11:24:34 EST 2007


Sorry, Harry. That's not the way the ignition works.

The capacitor inside the distributor is to absorb the energy (spark) from
the points opening. Without it, the points would burn in short order.
Think of it this way: when the points are closed the capacitor is shorted to
ground, hence there's no charge on it. When the points open, the collapsing
energy field in the coil causes an inductive "kick-back" which induces a
large spark across the points. The capacitor, being at 0 charge absorbs this
energy. When the points close again, the capacitor's charge is shorted to
ground and dissipates, leaving the cap ready for another energy pulse caused
by the coil.

You are correct, however, about the RFI cap on the outside of the coil.

Andy Clark
1966 140/4 Monza Sedan
1966 140/4 Yenko Clone
1966 180/4 Cord 8/10 #60
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Harry Yarnell" <hyarnell1 at earthlink.net>
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 6:25 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> superfluous condenser?


> The one inside the distributor is to give the coil the 'kick' for a decent
> spark. The one on the coil (+) is for RFI suppression.
>
> harry yarnell
> perryman garage and orphanage
> hyarnell1 at earthlink.net
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Cash Case" <cash.case at sbcglobal.net>
> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 9:21 AM
> Subject: <VV> superfluous condenser?
>
>
> > Does anyone know why there are two condensers in the ignition set up?
> > There is the one inside the distributor and then there's one attaches
to
> > the coil. Do these two do the same thing or do they have different
> > functions?
> > -C



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