Ignition Condenser Test harley motorcycle

A simple way to test an ignition condenser. this will work on most condensers but for this video we are focusing on Harley Davidson applications. there are better ways to test these if you have a capacitance meter but most of us do not have those in our chopper tool kits. I hope this helps people keep these old machines cruising down the road.
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[@thomaspencak5811]

The symptoms you stated clearly for your motorcycle were Identical to my 1966 Honda C100 50cc restoration. I changed the condenser (capacitor) and it runs prefect now. Thank you.

[@track1219]

My shovel did the same thing. Bad condenser. You explained the test procedure very well!

[@toat]

Theory and info are great, but your testing example, not so much. At 2:56, you can see your multimeter showing a reading without your black lead touching the wire because your fingers are touching. I'd put something non-conductive down, like a block of wood, and touch the leads to the body and wire on the wood without holding them to avoid your body becoming part of the test should your fingers touch.

[@johngalt97]

Your suggestion wood be more of an absolute measurement, but his was still valid in a relative manner, as he tested both the same way. Your suggestion would produce more data points, and that is usually useful.

[@markluxton3402]

Your fingers were shorting out the meter when you added charge, slightly discharging your cap.., and again when you tested the voltage, YOU were discharging the cap too. That is an odd way to test. I would suggest learning to test with a cheap ANALOG ohm meter, but also keep your fingers out of the circuit lol
You can also spend more money on a multi-meter that has a separate capacitor/condenser test. You only need to know what readings are normal...good.
I almost always pull out my cheap analog meter, with the mechanical needle, to test a condenser. You watch the needle jump just as you make your second connection, then quickly return....hopefully. Then switch your contacts around to test again; there may be a bigger bump this time because you charged the cap a bit.......again, keeping your body out of the circuit ;-)
The needle jumps because there is a tiny bit of resistance, just for less than a second, till the condenser stops charging...has taken all that the meters cell or battery has to push. If you are not shorting with your fingers/body, the condenser should hold the charge...voltage depending on the meter's battery.
With an analog meter and just the ohms setting, you can test and don't really need to know any numbers.
Test a few known good ones so you know how the needle is supposed to behave. Make sure the meter has a good cell or battery.

[@dilznic]

Very helpful!

[@SpiritsBrigade]

Thanks for this!

[@richardmartin2646]

Thanks, man. I have heard when you get a bad condenser, burn your points up, then you kind of know. Right?

[@plusblood5101]

The old cap does look ok

[@benderbender1233]

😎🤙

[@plusblood5101]

May be crappy cond/cap
From factory