Electronic Ignition

[SRavet at bangate.compaq.com]

"Tony Bryant" <bryantt at psc.fp.co.nz> Wrote:
| 
| Does the ignition condensor/capactitor serve any function
| other than to reduce arcing across points? Do I need one
| if I switch using a transistor? (with 400V zener clamp)
| 
| Facts, not theories, please..
| 
| ***********************************************************
| * "Insanity is the only sane response to an insane world" *
| *                 >> bryantt at fp.co.nz <<                  *
| ***********************************************************
| 

Are you talking about electronic ignition or point ignition?  I've never 
actually worked on a point ignition (not that old), but I'm pretty sure the 
condensor stores a charge, which is discharged thru the coil to make a 
spark.  That is CD (capacitive discharge) ignition.  Electronic ignitions 
usually charge the coil primary during the dwell period, interrupting the 
charge causes the field to collapse and generate a spark, no capacitor 
needed.  HEI ignitions (from GM) are electronic, but have a condensor.  The 
only purpose of the condensor is noise suppression for the radio, however.  
The car will run fine without it.

--steve

Steve Ravet
sravet at bangate.compaq.com
Baby you're a genius when it comes to cooking up some chili sauce...