Model A Ford - condenser testing and theory

Update 12/18/23: An alert viewer let me know that the segment beginning around 07:00 is not quite correct. The condenser does discharge back into the circuit, but this discharge has no effect on the spark intensity. It occurs after the spark ends. The capacitance of the condenser has only a minor effect on the spark intensity. As long as the capacitance is above a certain threshold (likely .22 mfd for Model A) and the condenser is in good condition, it is safe to use.
Once again, sadly, there are no Model As in this video, but there is a bunch of basic electricity physics! In this video, we:
- describe what condensers are
- show how Model A and Model B condensers work in the ignition system
- dissect a condenser
- show three ways to test condensers for proper function
Thanks again to ‪@ModelA‬ for the technical assistance. I am not formally STEM-trained, so if I got any of the concepts wrong, please let me know in the comments.

[@danielbuckner2167]

The other day I wanted to know how to test a capacitor with my kaiweets meter but ended up troubleshooting it down to the cap without it. Today I decided on digging into model a ignition and found your video... 2 for 1!!

[@BillGeurts2269]

Great job! Electrical and automotive electronics are areas where many people stumble. Either that or like me, that comes easy but I cannot teach or explain worth a darn. You are gifted with both the understanding and the ability and the desire to pass this on to others.

[@Okie-Tom]

Very thorough capacitor lecture! I learned several things I did not know! Thanks, Tom

[@AstraWerke]

Back in the day, you had special capacitor testers which used a high voltage (usually the voltage the cap was rated to) in order to detect leak current. Some caps might also be perfectly fine under the low voltage that a multimeter uses, but arc through if you give it the juice it actually has to operate around. Makes for some funny behavior in tube radios - a radio might work fine for a minute, then as it warms up, stations start drifting, weird oscillating circuits form by themselves creating R2D2 noise... Come to think of it, a car's ignition system isn't too far away from an oscillating circuit - I wonder what was first, the radio or electronic ignition!

[@alexiskai]

On the HT208D, the resistance test goes up to 250V, so it's not perfect but better than many multimeters.

[@AstraWerke]

@@alexiskai Chapeau, not bad!

[@elljon1]

Thank You I need all the help I can get when it comes to Model A electrical!

[@chriskupish2692]

very good explanation thanks chris

[@fysafysa]

Remix this and make it an intro into ignition systems and capacitors -- you should have 300k views by now for this quality content, just needs some rebranding (it's not really a Model A Ford video, that's more of an intro)

[@alexiskai]

Yeah but then I'd have a bunch of classic car guys saying I got the ground polarity wrong. 🤷‍♂ Thanks though. Once I finish my series on engine disassembly and inspection, maybe I'll circle back to this one.

[@buckhoward7285]

Another great video Alex.

[@kdog622]

Nice video, nice explanation. For Model A, your drawing had the ignition switch on the wrong side of the coil (although it didn't affect the discussion).

[@alexiskai]

Good eye. Yeah, I guess the diagram is cleaner with the switch out of the way.

[@kdog622]

@@alexiskai no prob! It was a great video, and oh, by the way, cost me money, since I just ordered my own Kaiweets ammeter! Geese, another new toy to add to my collection!

[@alexiskai]

@@kdog622 Fun trick, you can use it to check the amperage draw for your starter. Mine topped out at 155A, which I gather is within normal parameters.

[@kdog622]

@@alexiskai thanks! I plan on checking that!

[@rogergreen7807]

Thanks for do this.

[@mitchauto5523]

Thank You, well done

[@alexiskai]

Thanks Mitch

[@elljon1]

Do these Kaiweets meters digital display show a stable reading when the engine is running? A lot of digital meters displays jump all over the place and that's when I use a analog meter.

[@alexiskai]

For what measurement specifically?

[@davidsirvio7716]

Take the condenser out of the circuit and let me know if you get a spark.

[@frankdavidson9675]

you have points wired incorrect in your drawing points need i side grounded the lift the gd off the capasitor

[@alexiskai]

Both the points and the condenser ground to the distributor body, that's what I was trying to indicate in the diagram.

[@davesirvio749]

There is no need for modern points. In a model a.