Bad condensor???

[tmcalavy]

Hey guys,<br />I recently got a little Wizard WD3. Nice motor and had a sharp spark, too, until the stator/mag plate got damp while I was degreasing it. Went through the mag, cleaned/regapped the points and replaced the plug wire. Now, no spark. I tested the coil and points for resistance with my analog multimeter and they are up to snuff. I tried the condensor/capacitor tests that I found on the Web...one with the multi-meter set on Ohms and the other using a simple test light. I don't get any needle movement on the multimeter when I set it Ohms and touch the red lead to the condensor wire/terminal and the black lead to its case. On the test light, the bulb doesn't light up or flash at all...leading me to believe this condensor/capacitor is open. Am I on the right track here in thinking its time for a new condensor, or is there another way to test them? Any input appreciated.

 

[JB]

Re: Bad condensor???

I think you are on the right track, Tim.<br /><br />Condensers (capacitors) are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[chuckz]

Re: Bad condensor???

The condensor helps absorb the inductive kick when the points open. If it is open it will not keep you from getting spark but your points will be eaten up in no time.<br /><br />Try cleaning the points real well. If they are coated with oil or degreaser they may not be making good contact when closed. You can check this with your ohmmeter.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Bad condensor???

Test your new spark plug wire, set to Ohms, touch the input side of the coil, and the end of the spark plug wire, see if you get a reading.<br /><br />How are you charging the condensor, to do the test light test?<br />While you were decreasing could you have go some crude on the points.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Bad condensor???

The points are nice and clean and I have tested the plug wire to the block and both sides of the points (open and closed). All of these check out. The test light is this: 1 AA battery with a pos wire at one end and a neg wire at the other; neg wire hooks to the case of a flashlight bulb; pos wire goes to the condensor wire and condensor case/butt makes contact with contact point on the bulb base. An old outboard service book tells me if the condensor is shorted the bulb will light steadily, if no light at all it is open, if it flashes this indicates the condensor is taking a charge from the AA battery and discharging like it should. I have a new condensor on order, as this one is apparently open. Thanks for the input.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Bad condensor???

On the old 12 HP I am working on I ended up with 1 bad condensor and 2, yes 2 bad plug wires, the first had broke where it went through the stator plate. The other had burnt into, at the spark plug rubber connector. I was able to get a piece 0f 7MM wire from NAPA, and had to make up the wire. But now I have a good blue spark to both plugs.<br />My buddy at the lawn mower shop gave me a condensor to try and I made it work.<br />Any reasonable place to get points, I found one site that had them for $12.00., any other choices?