Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all How do I find out if my condenser is OK? I have a multimeter and believe there is a way to test the condenser, but how... The reason I want to test it/them is because I have very visual sparks (and many) at my points. Changing the condenser didn't help, so I want to test the 4 condensers I have lying around. The points are alomost new (less than 1500 km) and gab is correct... By the way, can alectrical wires too close to the ignition coil cause problems like this... all the best Jacob

Sorry JTl, you can't test a condenser with a multimeter, after many years of experience in electronics I can roughly check one using ohms range on an analogue meter but it is by no means accurate.

Hi JTL------ did you change your old capacitor (Condenser) for a BRAND NEW ONE or A.N.Other one kicking around in the tool box ??.........This might prove useful}--- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDuN7QHn1-s ------------ but as DENNIS C says, it's only a basic guide not a definitive test...The dielectric content of a capacitor does deteriate with age, whilst any physical damage could impair its' performance as well..........Have you tried a substitute HT coil (Especially if it's one of thoes Indian "Lucas" ones. Mine failed last year and my mates Bullet 65 has just failed as well)...Wires in close proximity to the HT coil are very unlikely to be influenced by its' collapsing magnetic field as they have a good insulation around them....The old fibre-type points units can swell with heat.. An old dodge is to ream the pivot hole before fitting and apply a LITTLE amount of graphite grease inside the pivot hole before assembly...

----------- just to add to the previous}-- Why not carry a spare complete points assembly on its' backplate and include the feedwire with snap connector..So in the unlikely event of any trouble it's only two securing screws and a snap connector to remove and fit the spare assy..

Hi all, In the old days (before meters)with the condenser removed from the bike, we would earth the metal body of the condenser to the - negative side of the battery then flash the condenser cable to the + positive side of the battery for a couple of seconds to charge the condenser, then with the condenser removed from the battery, touch the condenser cable to the metal side of the condenser body to see if it sparked! if it did the condenser had held a charge if not in the bin! Yes Alan R your thinking outside the box my friend, good idea to have a complete spare all ready made up.
Cheers Howzie.

Hi all ... thanks for replies ... most helpfull ... especially the youtube link and old time testing advice ... Alan R, apart from space and expense it is a smart thing to bring along an entire CB plate for a road side repair. And, yes, it was A.N.other condenser. Tomorrow a brand new will be installed... all the best Jacob

The typical sign of a failing condenser is a white deposit on the points. They can fail slowly and by degrees though so new is definitely best.