Points system condensor????

1. Is a points ignition system.... condenser.... voltage sensitive? I.E a condenser for a 6 volt compatable to 12 volt system? This should also apply to all engines.

2. Condensers are rated in microfads, is there any advantage to going with a condenser with higher rated microfads?

3. Anyone got a source for cross referencing condensers specifically for early Oldsmobile engines? My 1952 AND 1953 manual do not show the desired parts # for the condenser required. The 1952 is 6 volt, the 1953 is when they changed over to the 12 volt.

Prior info here (Archive search) said they are not voltage sensitive.




HellRaiser

 

When I change an ignition system from 6 to 12 volts I put an ign. resistor between the ign.wire and the coil. I haven't had a problem doing it that way. I never changed anything in the distributor. Hope this helps.

Lee

 

The condenser will work fine at 6 or 12 volts. The condenser is there to reduce or eliminate arc at the points. It is matched to the impedance of the coil.
Contaca GMCBUBBA here on the HAMB. He's the expert.

 

THe condenser basically gives the residual coil inductance a place to "drain" to.

Says here you should change it...but a lot of the info out there says it would work on either voltage. I'd always thought they were voltage specific.

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/six12.htm

I don't think there is any performance advantage to a higher Mf condenser. As far as it not burning out under high voltage ignition use...maybe.