Bye-bye Condenser

[bds1984 1,435]

Well, I finally got around to it, but I eliminated the condenser on my C165 and replaced it with a Gammatronix unit.  The points are still there, but serve as a switch to fire the system.  With a few minutes of run time, I have noticed a slight improvement in higher RPMs.  I know this isn't the best place to mount this, however, it isn't permanent, just for testing.  
The bigger questions is:  Can I use an electronic ignition emblem emblem from a junkyard? 
What's next, fuel injection?  

[ri702bill 8,387]

Nice - is it reverse polarity hookup safe?? Sealed, weatherproof constriction??

[adsm08 2,103]

18 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

What's next, fuel injection?  

 

 

Go TBI. It's a much easier swap on a carb'd engine.

[bds1984 1,435]

The instructions make it quite clear how to hook it up so I am not sure how well it would be handled if that happened.  As far as weatherproof, the instructions say the unit doesn't like getting wet, but I would think it could handle some water better than points.  

 

As far as EFI, I have seen a few late model Cubs with it.  I am waiting for one to come up for sale on FB or Ebay and then transplant it over.  

[953 nut 55,393]

Feel free to spend your money any way you choose to,              $ 37.50 US Dollars plus shipping can buy a lot of condensers.

[wallfish 17,023]

If the points are still there for a switch, that's basically what they do with a condenser too. I don't seem to have very many bad condensers but have had some. So seldom that I've never had the need to buy one new BUT WOW, $50+ for an OEM Kohler condenser!  Anyone going to the big show better keep an eye on your condensers. Anyone looking for used OEM condensers after June let me know, $30 each and buy 3 get one free! LOL

[ebinmaine 67,766]

30 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Feel free to spend your money any way you choose to,              $ 37.50 US Dollars plus shipping can buy a lot of condensers.

 

 

Your logic is sound but I'll add a couple things. 

1. With these modules the the points should never need replacement, cleaning or adjustment again. 

2. Points are $15 - $20 bucks here.  For cost of two sets of points I'd just as soon get a module. 

 

There's also ease of starting, smoother running engine,  and decreased fuel usage. How much? Dunno.... Every little bit helps. 

 

 

[oldlineman 1,482]

I have a 1979 c-101 that I bought new in 1979, it has the original points and condenser, I have never touched either one. Runs great and has many many hours on it no hour meter. Could be a fluke or dumb luck. Bob

[ebinmaine 67,766]

6 minutes ago, oldlineman said:

I have a 1979 c-101 that I bought new in 1979, it has the original points and condenser, I have never touched either one. Runs great and has many many hours on it no hour meter. Could be a fluke or dumb luck. Bob

 

I don't think that's a fluke Bob. 

I've seen several tractors we had no reason to believe were repaired or maintained and likely still had decades old points or condenser. 

I cleaned the points and off we went!

[bds1984 1,435]

I've had a few condensers fail over the years, and with the price of OEM units going to the moon, this is one reason why I went this route.  I've had not-so-great luck with replacement parts that cost more than this module ($28/shipped) that were just trash and required replacement often, so I'll chalk that up as a win in my column.  I wish I was one of those who could say that all you had to do was clean the points and off you went.  But for now, I will endure this experiment and see how it goes.  

 

[ebinmaine 67,766]

7 minutes ago, bds1984 said:

I've had a few condensers fail over the years, and with the price of OEM units going to the moon, this is one reason why I went this route.  I've had not-so-great luck with replacement parts that cost more than this module ($28/shipped) that were just trash and required replacement often, so I'll chalk that up as a win in my column.  I wish I was one of those who could say that all you had to do was clean the points and off you went.  But for now, I will endure this experiment and see how it goes.  

 

 

 

Was I in need of a condenser I'd certainly do the same as you. 

I'd agree this is a win. 

 

[adsm08 2,103]

8 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Was I in need of a condenser I'd certainly do the same as you. 

I'd agree this is a win. 

 

 

Were I in need of a condenser I'd head to the junk yard. I learned through an experiment born out of desperation that the OEM RFI capacitors used on Ford engines from about 1964 through roughly 2010 will also do the job. You just have to cut off the original plug and put a ring terminal on.

 

I had a condenser fail on my 855 mid-mow, no cash, and a pile of OE Ford capacitors laying around, so I slipped one in. Ran that for about 3 years without an issue.

[ranger 1,758]

Many years ago, (1970’s) I worked as an R.A.C. - (Royal Automobile Club) patrolman. Ranking high on the list of breakdowns was due to condenser failures, many, many times we would arrive at the location given, to find no vehicle there. After a short time another call would come through asking “Where are you?”. Eventually we would find the vehicle, at a different location, whilst waiting for us to arrive, the driver would try to start the engine, which would usually start after sitting for a while. Then they would drive off, but not notify us? Surprise, surprise, after a mile or two it would again cut out as the condenser, ‘warmed up’. Some drivers would carry on like this, but each time, the distance travelled became less and less, until it failed completely! Some drivers would become quite irate, demanding to know why we hadn’t continued searching for them after finding they were not at the original location given, but had managed to drive several miles along their route before the inevitable happened!