Can anyone help me with testing a condenser please. The manual says to connectthe 6V power supplu to the tester (which in the photo looks like a proper honda-spec tester). Then set the tester to the "condenser position" and "apply one of the tester lead probes to the condenser body and then read the meter indication. "If it measures between 0.21-0.26 uF the condenser is satisfactory. If it reads anything less than 0.21uF it should be replaced." Note: New condenser, $68, ex-Japan. Coupla queries from you electrical types. Can I test it using a normal multi meter, if so what settings should I use. The local auto electrical dude told me that it doesn't matter whether it's 6V or 12V - condensers are not voltage-specific. I'd far rather test it than send Mr Honda another pile of drinking vouchers, especially when I am not convinced the condenser is farked.
Depends if the "normal multi meter" has a capacitance range. Some do. If so, obviously, use that. If not, no you can't. I don't think they are voltage sensitive, I've mixed and matched them . In practice they're actually shunting the reverse EMF, which is hundreds of volts, so the difference between 6 and 12v is not likely to be an issue.
Incidentally AFAIK (might be wrong though), a condensor is a condensor. No 'Honda' condensor , 'Ford' condensor etc. Just needs to physically be able to be fitted. So check out Supercheap or your friendly autosparky. (I'm assuming this is all classic points and coil stuff, right? )
He's correct about there not being a 6 and 12 volt one. A multi meter wont test it very well, we used to use a megger. Anyway, Mustard Menace is 12 volts ( has been upgraded with a CB 200 set up as far as I know). I'd replace it as its at least 20 years old and they dry out. is the coil in it 12 volts?
We used apprentices for testing condensers - charge,then catch! No reaction means a bad condenser.Bad reaction means good condenser.
Mustard menace has 12V coil. It would help to know what's in it because they are pretty hard to come by now. Parts list photo of CB125 condenser - they look the same (the bracket is quite distinctive because it sits on the end of the coil and has a right angle bracket with a half turn and double pike. The parts lists show the CB 200 condenser mounted on the top of the engine on a flat surface so quite different. The parts list also calls the CB 200 condenser a condenser comp - does anyone know what that means.
http://www.intermotor.co.uk/?p=smpeu...and=intermotor anything thats looks similer here? Cant find there uF rating? but dialup was taking ages to load pages I have used all sorts of condensers on random vehicles before
Um, silly questipn, but why do you suspect the vondenser?
you only get vondensers on da vonbeemer......
Ixion - just trying to check off all parts of the ignition system as I try to get the thing going. It's not something obvious so I've had to go back and check every part and setting again. I started with the covers off and valve timing and have worked through to condenser.
It doesn't run at all? I thought it ran but was 8 stroking and fluffing?. If the motor actually runs, you can pretty much check the condenser by obervation. Just start it up and watch the points. If the condenser is OK, you'll see nothingg or a little bit of blue sparking. If the condenser's stuffed, it'll look like an arc welders going in there. Not quite maybe, but big fat yellow blue arcs. (can't do it on a car of course, cos of the dizzy cap) .
It's progressed to not going at all.
Hmn. Got spark at plug?
Yes, good fat spark. No way of knowing if I have enough of them.
And I have fuel in the carburettor and it goes into the cylinder.
