Burning up condensors

[Skipstaxidermy]

I converted my 1930 "A" to 12 volts about 9 months ago. Since then I cannot keep condensors in it. It burns them out in about 35 miles. The car runs flawlessly otherwise. The car has been gone over by at least three real old car mechanics as well as the electrical shop that did the conversion all to no avail. The alternator is new and checks out to specs. the resistor likewise. What is an A & L burn out proof condensor? I saw it noted in a thread. Any help is greatly appreciated. Skip in Ohio.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

Twelve volts ain't the problem, condensers don't know the difference. I've been running my roadster on 12 volts for the past seven years with the same condenser.The short proof A&L condensers are only made for the original points setup. Brattons and snyders both sell the A&L condenser , listed as short proof.

 

[huddy]

It could be from using a 6v coil with a 12v system. Makes a much larger current spike thru the condenser.

 

[RonC]

Where are you getting your condensers from? Any auto parts store should have good ones. They are all the same rating now I think. How hot is your engine running ? Try installing the condenser on the firewall next to the coil.

 

[Kevin in NJ]

The A&L condenser likely uses a higher rated better quality condenser.

Most of the current parts store condensers are bulk buy low bid foreign made units. Some work better then others. I know people in the Mustang forums have complained that their new condensers were failing in short times.

There is a lot of difference in the quality of condensers ( capacitors). A few cents extra can be a huge difference in the quality of the chemistry not to mention the temperature limits will be expanded. Dell and other computer manufacturers found this out when they had the capacitors on the computers fail. They will explode, kind of cool, or more commonly just start bulging.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is an example of how I have the condenser hooked up on my september 29.The condenser will need to be attached to the switch side of the coil. This will be the red wire if you use original color coded wiring harness. You must have a good ground where the condenser connects to the firewall or it won't work. The condenser runs cooler on the firewall and is mush easier to replace when necessary.

Most of the V8 style condensers that are now available are the cheapest made in China parts. In the ninties, I bought some condensers that were made in Mexaco that are better than the ones that are made in China.

I would recommend changeing back to the original points and condenser set up and using the short proof A&L condenser like Brattons and Snyders sell. There is NO advantage to using the V8 setup and it will be a headache with the points or the condenser as long as you use it.