1929 Johnson v-45 Condenser where to get.

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  • December 31, 2016 at 4:03 pm #6001
    lawnlawn
    Participant

      I have a 1929 Johnson V-45 that I am entering the finishing line on the restoration. I have what I would describe as a weak and what seems to be intermittent spark after installing new plug wires. This may clear up when I can fire it up, but as long as I have everything apart I believe that the condensers will need replacement. Here are the readings for the tests that I have done.

      Both coil first winding has good continuity
      Coil one – 9.11 ohms secondary
      Coil two – 8.52 ohms secondary
      Are these good?

      Condenser one – .33 microfarad
      Condenser two – .58 microfarad
      When the condensers are charged they seem to discharge although one seems to discharge

      a lot faster than the other.
      Are these good?

      The V-45 should have a .3 microfarad condenser.

      I don’t have anything else to test with to see if this system is working well. It would seem that both condensers should be replaced.

      I want this to be a runner and would like to replace the condensers and it would be nice if I can replace without too much rigging. I purchased an automotive condenser and it was .19-.20 microfarad which I don’t think will work.

      Where do I get new condensers that will be .3 microfarad and work for this motor?
      Also, do I need to put all of that tar back in after replacing the spark plug wires.      (I heard it is cancer causing!!, like carb cleaner and aluminum dust and lacquer thinner are just fine.)

      Almost ready to fire it up as soon as I get the head gaskets from Cometic….

      Thanks for your wisdom.

      Eric

      December 31, 2016 at 4:14 pm #50012
      chris-p
      Participant

        Original condenser part # is 72-702, which is .3uf like you stated (0.27 to 0.33) will be fine.

        The 580321 is a modern part number that should work if you can mount it. Or, you can use capacitors (orange drop), which you can find cheap. Just ensure the ones you buy have the proper ratings to handle it.

        Also, post some pics! I love the V45s, I have 2 of them.

        December 31, 2016 at 4:40 pm #50014
        lawnlawn
        Participant

          Thanks for the part number and I think that it will fit in the brackets I have if I unsolder the old condensers from the bracket and cut off the new tab from the new ones. As long as they are .3 mf, should be good to go.

          Here are some prelim pics.

          December 31, 2016 at 6:58 pm #50024
          lawnlawn
          Participant

            Do you think that the coils are good with those readings? The ohms seem low….

            Do I need to melt and then re pack the tar that is around the spark plug wires where they are soldered to the coil? My parts motor has no tar used for its wires and coils, but this may have been when coils and wires were replaced in some earlier time period.

            December 31, 2016 at 8:22 pm #50030
            chris-p
            Participant

              I have never re used the old tar, that goes in the garbage! Others opinion will vary.

              I use a silicone type tar based sealant in a caulking gun.

              Not sure if you can leave them dry. There are quite a few threads on this if you do a search and do some reading.

              December 31, 2016 at 8:22 pm #50031
              chris-p
              Participant

                By the way, looking great!

                December 31, 2016 at 9:33 pm #50036
                Mumbles
                Participant

                  Whoa…..Hold Everything…..Stop The Presses! 😀 580321 caps are for the universal magnetos and are rated around 0.20 – 0.22 uF. The larger 581419 caps test out around .28 uF but I’m not sure what they should be rated at specifically but at least they would be closer to the desired 0.30 uF called for. 0.15 Vishay caps can be wired in parallel to get the required rating.

                  Note-I believe there is a typo on one cap chart which gets posted as it shows a 580321 with a 0.30 rating. Should be 0.22 uF.

                  http://www.digikey.ca/products/en/capac … =bc2608-nd

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                  December 31, 2016 at 9:58 pm #50040
                  nali
                  Participant

                    Nice motor !

                    December 31, 2016 at 10:29 pm #50043
                    chris-p
                    Participant

                      Oops good catch Mumbles! I just looked at that same chart you are talking about and fired off the number on it without thinking! Should have known better I buy the 580321s in bulk lol.

                      December 31, 2016 at 10:30 pm #50044
                      chris-p
                      Participant

                        Jim,

                        What motors mag plate do you have posted there with the Vishays on it?

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