After many inquiries, I have decided to continue making my "Trash Can" condensers for sale. I had decided to give it up because, with my advancing age and physical infirmities (arthritis), I could not handle the lathe work. My partner in this venture has come up with a way to have all of the components manufactured by a third party, so all I would have to do is assemble them. He did all the computer work required and after a false start or two, we believe we have come up with a winning combination. We received the initial order of 25 sets of components and were very impressed with the quality of the components. Upon assembly, however we came upon a problem; the commercial capacitor we are currently using is just a bit too long to fit in the new cases. Fortunately, the supplier of our current capacitor makes the same thing in a considerably shorter version. This capacitor has exactly the same specifications, only in a different "format". It sounds like a "no-brainer" to just switch capacitors, but I have found that they vary greatly in reliability, even though they have the exact same specs. I don't want to take the chance of losing the reliability we have experienced with the current units over the last 10 years. I have already made two condensers using the new format capacitors. The first went on my '51 Ford with a Mallory dual point distributor. Of course, it started immediately and runs fine. However, since I am in Minnesota, my time to test it is limited. Therefore, we are looking for someone to run the other to make sure it is as reliable as the previous units. The person we are looking for should have the following qualification : 1. Have a vehicle with a conventional ignition. 2. Lives in an area of the country where the climate allows year around driving. 3. Drives the vehicle often, hopefully as a daily driver. 4. Be a known "H.A.M.B.er" with at least 2000 posts (Credibility on both sides is important). I would send the member a test condenser to be mounted on his vehicle and used over the course of a full year. At the end of the trial period, we would want the unit back so we can analyze it to determine if any deterioration has taken place. We do not expect any problems, but do not want to make a change without fully testing the new capacitor. Another advantage is that I will be able to shorten the unit so that is the same as the original Mallory's. One of the few complaints I have received is that the condensers look "long" compared to the originals. And the "conventional ignition" requirement is serious, as I have sold several to use as dummies with Pertronix setups. Anyone interested, please PM me. I have checked with @Ryan, and he has approved this post.
being a points and condenser aficionado my self, how about a constant test stand ? Rig it up with a points style distributor, powered with a cheepo electric drill, ( you know, the kind that has a cord that you plug into the wall, not one of them that runs on battery's), Run juice thu the points and condenser, use a variable speed drill so you could vary the rpms, just let the contraption run 8 or 10 hours a day. Granted you wouldn't get the benefit of engine heat and vibration, but you would speed up the process faster than driving a whole car around. Who knows, just one of my dumb ideas
I thought the same when I read the post. A test bench could put a component through more use in a week or two than years worth of actual driving. It is indeed not quite the same, but still could be a very good way to see it it survives many hours of operation.
It sounds like a lot of work, but still doesn't come close to duplicating real world conditions. Sure, it may still be making spark after several weeks, but how would I tell the quality of the spark? The first time around, I drove my car all summer and the started selling them when people expressed interest. I was taking a chance, but I had no reputation to jeopardize then. Now I do. Plus, an actual driver might be able to provide feedback on any performance issues and failure. Plus, I'd probably wear out a $50 drill.
I'll be your test guy if you like. Don't have all the posts you want but plenty more on the 'Barn and I have been running your trash can condenser on the '41 Merc for 3 years or so. Put about 5000 miles per year on it in all weather and drive year round in Kansas. I'd just swap on the new one and keep driving.
Thanks, @chicken, looks like I've found my "guinea pig". The "Ford Barn" exposure makes up for the post count.
Here's a little condenser story for you guys, back around 1979 or 80, I had a 63 Falcon Sprint with a super high mile 260, drove it all over the place , every day. Took a trip to the nationals in Columbus Ohio, ran great on the way over from the 'Burgh, Cruzed Columbus lookin' for some "dipped chicken", and ran real good on the way home, untill about Zanesville. (no tools, don't take no tools, can't break down ,rite?)Started running rough, limped home the rest of the way. Chased the problem for a week or so. Wits end, pulled out my Filko tune up book, there it was, Extended ,steady high speed operation, cooked the condenser, and burnt the points. Fresh Motorcraft (back when you could buy American made parts)( parts came in a little tune up can, points, plugs and condenser) points and condenser, fixed. I'll be gettin ' me one of them "garbage can condensers" soon, for my 39
One of my very first “ hot rod” items I ran across as a kid was a huge condenser hanging off the side of a distributor! It was on my older cousins y-block, back in the fifties! I thought it was cool! Just hang your tried and true condenser on the outside of the distributor! May have to make the wire longer! Bones
The first piece of "speed equipment" I could afford when I was in high school was a Mallory dual point conversion kit for my '51 Ford. Most of the "goodies" were inside the distributor, but because the second set of points took up the space where the regular condenser lived, they had to mount that big, beautiful brass masterpiece on the outside. It was right out where you could see it and show your buddies.
My condensers, at .22 microfarads, should work fine with any conventional ignition system used by anyone on this forum. There are designed and built to be used with vintage high-performance ignition systems, so appearance was a top priority.. They are a replacement for the large brass condensers originally offered by Mallory. that have become very hard to find. On top of this, they have proven to be extremely reliable. I have been selling these since 2016 with NO documented failures. I have sold about 500 since they were released. Here are some pictures of them in their native environment.
"tender age of 83".... gotta keep active...I have two of your previous rev and was thrilled to get them...glad you are going to continue on I have many miles on them and run 12 to 15K miles a year so if rev.x is like previous...you have a winner again....
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