The Ford Barn

wrndln · 01-18-2018, 04:54 PM

I have 3 new condensers used for distributors. I measured them with my capacitor meter. One was .227 uf, one was .231 uf and one was .262 uf. What is the correct range for model A condensers?
Rusty Nelson

jb-ob · 01-18-2018, 05:58 PM

Rusty,

Do a site search of 'Condensers' and a response from Tom Eddy.

"Normal is .287 micro farads" ..... Tom Eddy

JB

cpf240 · 01-18-2018, 06:08 PM

Is there a tolerance? Perhaps those readings were just due to manufacturing differences.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 01-18-2018, 10:45 PM

Dog here,
We thought you were SELLIN' Condensors---LOL
Buster T.

Dick Steinkamp · 01-18-2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb-ob

Rusty,

Do a site search of 'Condensers' and a response from Tom Eddy.

"Normal is .287 micro farads" ..... Tom Eddy

JB

Here's that thread if you are interested..

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ondenser+value

Mike V. Florida · 01-18-2018, 11:10 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Ford Letter dated 10/19/1928 stated that the value was .3 uf.

The most common tolerance variation for capacitors is 5% or 10% but some plastic capacitors are rated as low as ±1%.

Bill G · 01-18-2018, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrndln

I have 3 new condensers used for distributors. I measured them with my capacitor meter. One was .227 uf, one was .231 uf and one was .262 uf. What is the correct range for model A condensers?
Rusty Nelson

The condenser value is not terribly critical. Somewhere around a quarter of a microFarad is reasonable, which is what you are measuring. I would say (gut feel) that anything between .2 and .3 is good. The condenser and the coil work together and there are also variances in the inductive value of the coil, so you would have to get real scientific to determine what the optimum value would be of either part.

3.6rs · 01-19-2018, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrndln

I have 3 new condensers used for distributors. I measured them with my capacitor meter. One was .227 uf, one was .231 uf and one was .262 uf. What is the correct range for model A condensers?
Rusty Nelson

You will absolutely not notice any difference with those 3.

Kevin in NJ · 01-19-2018, 07:06 AM

Plus how accurate is the meter making the measurement? With the types of leads and such the meters are generally not the most accurate also.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 01-19-2018, 10:47 AM

My test: I'd charge one with the 110 Volt growler test light probes. Later, if you jumped it & it sparked, it was GOOD.---Is this a GOOD test????
Bill W.

3.6rs · 01-19-2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

My test: I'd charge one with the 110 Volt growler test light probes. Later, if you jumped it & it sparked, it was GOOD.---Is this a GOOD test????
Bill W.

I got a better one (like we did in school with the first years electronics) ; you charge one (in our case 220V) and hand it over to someone.... You will immediatly know if the condensor is a good one ...

If this person screems the condensor is good.

Scottio57 · 01-19-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.6rs

I got a better one (like we did in school with the first years electronics) ; you charge one (in our case 220V) and hand it over to someone.... You will immediatly know if the condensor is a good one ...

If this person screems the condensor is good.

Yep. Done that. Very conclusive test.

01-18-2018, 04:54 PM	#1
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,164	Condenser value I have 3 new condensers used for distributors. I measured them with my capacitor meter. One was .227 uf, one was .231 uf and one was .262 uf. What is the correct range for model A condensers? Rusty Nelson

01-18-2018, 05:58 PM	#2
jb-ob Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 640	Re: Condenser value Rusty, Do a site search of 'Condensers' and a response from Tom Eddy. "Normal is .287 micro farads" ..... Tom Eddy JB

01-18-2018, 06:08 PM	#3
cpf240 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Northern Idaho Posts: 282	Re: Condenser value Is there a tolerance? Perhaps those readings were just due to manufacturing differences.

01-18-2018, 10:45 PM	#4
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Condenser value Dog here, We thought you were SELLIN' Condensors---LOL Buster T. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

01-18-2018, 11:10 PM	#6
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Condenser value Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ford Letter dated 10/19/1928 stated that the value was .3 uf. The most common tolerance variation for capacitors is 5% or 10% but some plastic capacitors are rated as low as ±1%. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-19-2018, 07:06 AM	#9
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Condenser value Plus how accurate is the meter making the measurement? With the types of leads and such the meters are generally not the most accurate also.

01-19-2018, 10:47 AM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Condenser value My test: I'd charge one with the 110 Volt growler test light probes. Later, if you jumped it & it sparked, it was GOOD.---Is this a GOOD test???? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"