Condenser voltage

Does a condenser care if it's 6 or 12 volts? Converting an early Cadillac 331 from 6 to 12 volts...does the condenser need to be 12 Volts?

 

Nope! DD

 

aren't the condensers actually like 50,000 volts?

 

I really had no idea, seemed like a good question. I thought the condenser kept the generator/alternator from smokin' the points in the dist if there was too much voltage. Honestly I have no idea.

 

I vote no. Jumpstarting my old flathead with a 12 volt battery used to fry the condencer after about two times. You could see a light haze coming out of the distributor when it died.

 

No, voltage irrelevant. They are rated in Micro Farads

 

We used to 'charge' them up and leave them laying on the parts counter at a GM dealership I worked at.....ZZZZZZAAAPPPPP!

Here's a good article:

capacitors

 

That was good......I learned a lot..Thanks

 

I think they might be voltage sensitive, so that one made for a 6 volt system would have twice the metal foil for the same mirofarad rating as a 12 volt. I am making a knowledgeable guess but if i were doing the conversion i would replace the condensor while the engineers debate the differences.

 

Not bad, one correct answer out of eight. Pretty good for the HAMB. The guy asked a specific question but didn't ask for a debate. Sheesh, you guys.....

 

There is one thing to consider, the value of the condensor ( capacitor ) may be higher or lower than the correct value. If the value of the capacitor is too high, point material will build up on one of the point faces. If the value is too low, the point material will build up on the other face.

 

i know this a bit of a cop out but doesn't pertronics make a kit for this application?, you're probably going to have to mess around a bit but everything should fit under the cap!
no points no condenser, better starting etc etc

 

Really good question I was wondering that myself.

 

Heh!
Good point. If I had a nickel for every B.S "answer" I read out here.......

Maybe there should be a rating system of 1 to 10 wrenches next to a posters' name to signify if he knows what he's talking about or not....

.....there'd be a LOT of "one-wrenchers", I'm afraid......

 

That would be great.

 

Actually.....it would!

Maybe take a timed quiz on mechanical knowledge??

 

I wasn't being sarcastic, Im in total agreement.

 

I didn't think you were being sarcastic. I can see where my answer may have suggested you were, though.

 

Not only that there would be a significant number of "no wrenches". Some of these guys "make my day" with their responces. Some days the HAMB can be counted on for as much humor (unintended false information) as actual facts.

Frank

 

I only saw one wrong answer