A few years ago I bought a "new" condenser from a parts supplier. Today I happened to notice then sealed plastic bag it is in has an oily, almost honey substance in it. I checked it with my multi-meter and it checked good. Then to try it even more I installed it on the car. Seems to be working fine. Is this a time bomb that going to stop working soon?
So, does it taste like oil, or honey? The bad rep that new condensers get nowadays would make me keep every old one that still tests good. Maybe throw an extra in the toolbox though. You do have a toolbox in the car, right?
Many condensers are made (rolled), using a wax paper type material for insulating the foil conductor sheet (that enables them to work), inside them. The wax is used to help prevent moisture from oxidizing the foil. Possibly some wax is leaching from that. If that's the case, it shouldn't compromise the condenser in any way, that I can think of.
Capacitor technology has evolved significantly in recent years. Older designs deteriorated with age, modern ones are not so prone. Buy a new one.
Yes, the old paper layer will break down and capacitance values will drift from .2 mFd up to .3, .4... Newer poly/foil capacitors don't degrade as quickly, but can have the same temperature related failures.
Can you guys give us a brand and part number of a “modern” condenser for a 12 volt old Ford distributor? A good one with a proven track record?
Those guys say there’s a new type of condenser we should be using instead of the old dried out ones. Just hoping they can give us a good answer.
I have never had a failure on a 70's - 80's NOS condenser, I test them on my dist machine (zero failures) and use em....
I believe all the new stuff from Napa is poly-film. We've been adapting automotive rated circuit board capacitors and adapting them to fit in various applications where few options are available. I see 70's and 80's condensers (NOS and used) failing all the time, but I'm still rebuilding 20-30+ distributors a week. Older NOS options are pretty much all DOA now. If they still work, they'll fry your points at .3 - .4 mFd ratings and climbing. BTW, I don't trust the old Sun capacitor testers any more than I trust their dwell meters. At least you can verify the dwell meter by counting degrees on the degree wheel. All 3 504's I have don't have accurate capacitance gauges. BTW, Mark I bought your spare machine years ago and still use it (in rotation) to this day!
A modern type capacitor can be used. .22uF +- 10% 1000vdc. Just have to figure out how to mount it. https://www.mouser.com/c/passive-co...?capacitance=0.22 uF&voltage rating dc=1 kVDC
I’m game for this adventure ! 20-30 distributors a week are a lot of units,,,,you must have a good supplier for the condensers ? That’s about what,,,,,,4 or 5 a day,,,that’s some quick turnaround ? Please let us know your source ! Tommy
The condensers we have to buy nowadays are mostly imports and often bad right out of the box. Aside from that, condenser mounting is flexible. You can attach it to the dist. side of the coil, if need be. Just try to keep the wire as short as you can. You have many options.
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