Condenser

[garybuick]

Can anyone tell me what the condenser is for in the distributor ?


I went to buy points today and the guy at the parts store sold me a Blue Streak points set. The condenser was separate from the points. i said alright. I bought it and took it home.

Took the cap off, took out the old rotor and points. Old points are one piece. It thought ok. Maybe it will still work. But I didnt know where to connect the condenser or what the condenser was even for. There was no bracket for holding the condenser, so I took it back and they assured me it was the same kind the car came with in 73.

i asked what the condenser was for and I was told that it is for suppressing radio noise. He boasted that he has three on his car. The older guy said he was selling car parts since 1960s and thats the way they are supposed to be. Then he told me that he didnt need any attitude from me.. so.. I just want some points for my buick. How do you hook it up?

He said, the condenser lead goes witht the coil lead onto the points. The other guy says, no the condenser lead goes onto the ground, the body of the points unit.. I was like.. well, dont just guess please, I dont want to experiment with my electrical system....... I think thats when he made the attitude remark.... anyway... the manager came and gave me a one piece points unit like my old one and I was on my way......

But I would still like to know

What is the condenser for ? and could I have made the 2 piece one work ?

Thanks

Gary

[flynbuick]

The two piece is the way they all use to come. The uniset is to my belief a newer deveopment. Blue streak are great points.

His explanation is of course off base. Without geting into the EE end of how it works, the condensor supresses the arch drawn between the points when they open and thereby extends their life.

[Truzi]

It would probably be a good idea to get the condensor (aka, capacitor).

[lapham3@aol.com]

FWIW-yes the capacitor. I generally don't change these as they are an item that can frequently be bad -new in the box-or with a wrong enough value as to transfer point material. If I have a good one, it stays-some in there for decades. Change the points and leave the 'condenser' if good, I say. Unipoints are ok, but I like the original points with a screw down terminal, rather than the spring clip style. Not too many parts guys left with full knowledge anymore, but 'attitude'-can be supplied!-good luck

[gstewart]

i use the combo points/condenser set up in my 72 gs . they work fine & it is one less screw to tighten.

[beatlebuick]

The condensor captures and holds the electricity when the points are closed. Once the points are open, the spark jumps from one side to the other sending power to the plugs.

[nailheadina67]

There are two kinds of points and condenser sets.....the "uniset" (which has the condenser as part of the points) and the seperate points and condenser as original. The latter is better, but the uniset is easier to install. The condenser helps eliminate arcing so the points don't burn out after 50 miles. An engine will run without it, but not for too long before the points burn up.

The capacitor (same as condenser for all intents and purposes) mounts on the coil and helps eliminate radio interference. The two look similar, but have different electronic values and are not interchangable. :Smarty:

[jamyers]

Hey, Gary!

What's the name of this "parts store"? Sounds like they need a little attitude adjustment themselves...bozo's...

You can't go wrong with Blue Streak, they make the best points-type ignition parts available.

Is the one-piece part made by Blue Streak? If so, I wouldn't worry about it. If not, I'd go get my money back, and find someplace else that (1) knew what the hell they were talking about, and (2) sold Blue Streak parts.

The condenser itself should have a little mounting clamp around it, and screw down to the breaker plate across from the points. Its wire connects to the terminal on the points, under the lead from the coil. Its function is to momentarily store the current while the points are opening, so that there isn't such a big spark (as mentioned above, a big spark would eat away the point contacts in no time).

[garybuick]

Advance Auto hehe,

Its close to my house hehe..and Im friends with one guy that works there, but he wasnt there that day.hehe...I told him about it, he just rolled his eyes. Anyway, I have v8buick.com for authoritative answers. I have my Buick people. Woooo!!

I installed the one piece points and they work fine, I need to re set the dwell though. I didnt set that.. Just put them in and set the timing. I think Ill go back and get the blue streak kind someday after I take the smog stuff off my car.

Thanks for backing me up.

Gary

:beer

[jamyers]

Advance Auto hehe,

Its close to my house hehe..and Im friends with one guy that works there, but he wasnt there that day.hehe...I told him about it, he just rolled his eyes. Anyway, I have v8buick.com for authoritative answers. I have my Buick people. Woooo!!

I installed the one piece points and they work fine, I need to re set the dwell though. I didnt set that.. Just put them in and set the timing. I think Ill go back and get the blue streak kind someday after I take the smog stuff off my car.

Thanks for backing me up.

Gary

:beer
No problem I know what you mean. The local O'Reily's has 2 good parts guys, and if I don't see their cars in the parking lot I don't bother slowing down, the rest of their crew don't have a clue.

I'd check that dwell pretty quick, btw. Then you'll need to recheck the timing. Dang, I'd forgotten how much fun points are!!! :laugh: