Re: @#$%&@*&^ condensors!!!!!

Posted by John Regan on Sep. 24, 1998 at 23:09:33

In Reply to: @#$%&@*&^ condensors!!!!!
posted by Steve Watrous on Sep. 23, 1998 at 21:30:54

: The first year with our 31 coupe we logged around 3000 miles the second summerwe went about 1000 and burned ? out a condensor.Put in another (new Echlin from NAPA), went 20 miles and it died.Replaced it with one of Snyder's premium condensors,got 200 miles on that one.Back to Echlin (with dist heat shield now) got 1500 miles.Burned another, new Echlin---200 miles.Can't figure it, but can now change GD condensor during an Indy 500 pit stop.Engine is rebuilt B, A head, does not overheat, running a 160 Deg thermostat.I'm really puzzuled.Have any of you had similar experiences?Sure would like to find what's going on here.
: Best regards,
: Steve

Steve

My first question would be are you running a stock 6v system?

I shall assume the units are shorting or getting very leaky which would indicate they are either stressed to far with regard to working voltage or you have exceeded the ripple current specification for the part.

Most folks are aware that capacitors have a value (usually expressed in microfarads) and a voltage rating but capacitors also have a ripple current rating which defines exactly how much ac current (or pulsating DC current in this case) the device can withstand.This ripple current spec generally decreases with amibient temperature so keeping the thing cool has a lot to do with its life.Different types of capacitors can stand drastically different amounts of ripple current.The highest ripple current type have a dialectric made from Polypropylene.I don't know if you could get one for your car and could specify that type but if you can - go for it.They have more than double the current carrying capacity of other types.Frankly I don't see how high resistance anywhere could cause the failure mode, nor could a ground somewhere.I will try to keep an open mind about that but capacitors are AC devices and a short or a high resistance is a permanent DC situation and not likely to cause a cap to fail.Not in my experience.I design power systems and we use polypropylene caps all the time for high current and they are really rugged.I use them in my Model T coils and they are indestructable but packaging is no problem in there.I just don't know if they are available in the package you need.

Hope this helps.




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