Texas_Biker
Member
You may have a bad regulator. I'd check all of your electrical grounds also.
Shovel Trouble
- Thread starter Ponytail Pat
- Start date
Ponytail Pat
Member
What would cause repeated condenser failure?
Condenser checked with an ohmmeter set to high x100,000 scale. Short the lead to the case, then ohm out between the case and lead...should go to "short then quickly increase to open ckt as it accepts charge voltage from the meter.
As far as repeated failure, capacitor is basically two foil sheets insulated by a "dielectric paper or mylar insulator"...heat and overvoltage surges can breakdown the insulation or "punch holes in it" allowing the two foil plates to short or get a low leakage path from the carbon track caused by arcing (carbon is conductive).
Seems like it is fragile, but ignition type capacitors are designed to be very rugged...and used in high heat environ (notice the metal case for heat dissipation and rugged vibration resistance and the silicon/rubber seal on the "business end".
You should NOT have repeated failure unless it has the wrong working voltage (if it is made for 6V system and you are using 12V system, you must have a ballast resistor or wire otherwise you will "cook" the capacitor not designed for 12V systems, very common in pre-60's stuff...RichardS knows it is not a dream...but really happened!
As far as repeated failure, capacitor is basically two foil sheets insulated by a "dielectric paper or mylar insulator"...heat and overvoltage surges can breakdown the insulation or "punch holes in it" allowing the two foil plates to short or get a low leakage path from the carbon track caused by arcing (carbon is conductive).
Seems like it is fragile, but ignition type capacitors are designed to be very rugged...and used in high heat environ (notice the metal case for heat dissipation and rugged vibration resistance and the silicon/rubber seal on the "business end".
You should NOT have repeated failure unless it has the wrong working voltage (if it is made for 6V system and you are using 12V system, you must have a ballast resistor or wire otherwise you will "cook" the capacitor not designed for 12V systems, very common in pre-60's stuff...RichardS knows it is not a dream...but really happened!
Last edited:
Ponytail Pat
Member
Could a faulty alternator burn up my brand new voltage regulator?