Dennis
C2 Capacitor testing?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Use a VOM set on ohms. Remove cap from circuit. put the VOM leads on the cap (doesn't matter which one goes where). Ohms should read 0 in one direction and infinity in the other. While reading infinity if it slowly bleeds down you may have a "leaky" cap.
There are devices where you can check a cap under load but I don't think you can buy those now. Heath Kit used to have a kit for one.
There are devices where you can check a cap under load but I don't think you can buy those now. Heath Kit used to have a kit for one.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 10
From: california
they are the same as condensors in the old points distrubitors. they are just shock absorbers for electricity. charge it up and hold the case, then touch the pigtail--if it zapps the hell out of you it is good. old condensors after tune up and freon were a blast to play with...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: california
PS--> old skool...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
they are the same as condensors in the old points distrubitors. they are just shock absorbers for electricity. charge it up and hold the case, then touch the pigtail--if it zapps the hell out of you it is good. old condensors after tune up and freon were a blast to play with...
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Race Director
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Yes, use a VOM set to measure resistance. But use the highest scale on the meter, usually X1000.
Be watching the meter at the instant you touch the meter leads to the capacitor.
A good capacitor will cause the meter to momentarily deflect towards zero Ohms and then the pointer will rise towards infinity, which it will eventually reach.
A leaky capacitor will never quite reach infinity. However, for the way these are used on our old Corvettes, they can be very leaky and still function.
The capacitors are not polarized so you will get the same behavior either way you connect the meter leads.
Jim
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 188
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From: Sherwood oregon
Capacitor testing
This is my Heath Kit Condencer capacitor tester, I keep it right next to my Tung-sol Flasher tester, you can tell if a capacitor is good by the glow of the light on the upper left....Thanks JOHN
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,300
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From: Iowa
[QUOTE=FormerBiker;1572964451]Use a VOM set on ohms. Remove cap from circuit. put the VOM leads on the cap (doesn't matter which one goes where). Ohms should read 0 in one direction and infinity in the other. While reading infinity if it slowly bleeds down you may have a "leaky" cap.
.........[QUOTE]
If you start with a discharged cap, attach the leads, it will start at 0 ohms and climb to infinity. When you reverse the leads, it will momentarily read negative resistance and then rise past zero to infinity again. If it stays at zero ohms either way, then it is internally shorted and bad.
You posted the methd of testing a diode.
.........[QUOTE]
If you start with a discharged cap, attach the leads, it will start at 0 ohms and climb to infinity. When you reverse the leads, it will momentarily read negative resistance and then rise past zero to infinity again. If it stays at zero ohms either way, then it is internally shorted and bad.
You posted the methd of testing a diode.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
I wouldn't use nor do I recommend a DVM to check small value capacitors. The resolution and response time just isn't up to the task. An analog VOM set to a high resistance scale is a much better tool for this purpose.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
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From: dalton ma
Substitute ?
Considering the cost of replacement capacitors in the $20+ range , is it possible to replace them with ignition type condensors? One thread above mentioned the electrical similarity of purpose and I suspect the ratings are relatively loose. Always ready to save a buck. Thanks, Bob
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,300
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From: Iowa
Considering the cost of replacement capacitors in the $20+ range , is it possible to replace them with ignition type condensors? One thread above mentioned the electrical similarity of purpose and I suspect the ratings are relatively loose. Always ready to save a buck. Thanks, Bob
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,671
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From: california
sorry to reply so late. new sterios seem imperviuos to static. the old origonal radios were subject to buzzing and clicking. the buzzing was caused by the sprark plug wires. to solve this in small blocks the engineers added those chrome steel housings over the dist and wires.
when the big blocks came out grounded steel wires were the norm..
jump forward, C4s don't care. C3s don't care. only the C1s and C2s care.
i have a way cool pioneer super tuner in my C2, with shielding the tuner and amps work great. sparks **** me off, i suppress them.. of couse you need sparks to go fast. MSD works great for me, just don't touch anything--> those sparkes will KILL you.
monkey or grease , i like you..
when the big blocks came out grounded steel wires were the norm..
jump forward, C4s don't care. C3s don't care. only the C1s and C2s care.
i have a way cool pioneer super tuner in my C2, with shielding the tuner and amps work great. sparks **** me off, i suppress them.. of couse you need sparks to go fast. MSD works great for me, just don't touch anything--> those sparkes will KILL you.
monkey or grease , i like you..
