Condenser questions

batman911 · Posted: March 1, 2009, 3:00 am Post subject: Condenser questions

OK... first off how do I check the condenser to see if it is operating properly? Second, if I put a pamco with dual output coil do I need to use the condenser?

pumps · Posted: March 1, 2009, 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

With the Pamco ignition there are no points and no condensers.

jayel · Posted: March 1, 2009, 11:14 am Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

batman911 wrote:

OK... first off how do I check the condenser to see if it is operating properly? Second, if I put a pamco with dual output coil do I need to use the condenser?

if you have a ohm meter when you touch the leads to the condenser wire and ground, it will start as high resistance and drop as it charges, if on the bike with key on, snap the points open, weak yellowish spark with arcing (throwing sparks) = bad condenser... sharp blue/white spark =good

batman911 · Posted: March 7, 2009, 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

OK so it looks like Im not going to have enough $ to get the pamco right now, but I do have enough to get a dual output coil or a new set of coils... Which should I do and how many ohms?

Retiredgentleman · Posted: March 7, 2009, 3:02 pm Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

Dual ouput single coils work very well for points or electronic ignitions.

With points the coil primary should be 4 to 5 ohms. Less tha 4 ohms and the points may burn due to high current.

With electronic, 2.5 to 4 ohms is normal

pamcopete · Posted: March 7, 2009, 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

batman911

Well, if you are planning on getting a PAMCO ignition soon, then buying a dual output coil for points could mean getting a new coil for the PAMCO.

However, 5twins used a dual output points coil with the PAMCO, with good results, so search for his post and see what kind of coil he used.

The alternative is to use a dual output electronic ignition coil (2.5 to 3 Ohms) with a 1 Ohm ballast resistor to save the points until you can upgrade to the PAMCO.

If you are going to go with points and a dual output coil, you will either have to convert to Mikes dual lobe points cam and a single set of points, or connect the two sets of points together, which makes for a nightmare when you go to time them. Mikes dual lobe cam is $15.

If you are going to buy a coil anyway, then the cost of the PAMCO @$89 can be thought of as only $89 minus $15 (the cost of the dual lobe cam) for just $74 net, with free shipping.

To further reduce the net cost of the PAMCO, go on Ebay and find any dual output coil (2.5 to 3 Ohms) from a '70's Japanese bike for low bucks. I bought one for my XJ550 on Ebay for 99 cents (plus $6 shipping).

Typical bikes would be '80 to '83 XS650's, XJ550, 650 or most Hondas.

batman911 · Posted: March 7, 2009, 10:12 pm Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

pamcopete, I was planning on just connecting the two point sets together. Why will that make timing such a nightmare? I have a xs400 so if I go with the pamco or the points with dual lobe cam I am going to have to do some engine mod. Man I wish mike made stuff for the 400.

pamcopete · Posted: March 7, 2009, 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

batman911

Well, because you will only have one coil firing both spark plugs in a wasted spark setup. You will see both plugs fire regardless of which plug wire you clamp the timing light to. The only way you can tell the difference is to move one set of points and then try to keep track of which is which, which would not be such a problem, except that points do not keep their timing very well.

Is the points plate and points cam identical for the XS400 as it is for the XS650?

batman911 · Posted: March 8, 2009, 3:51 am Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

Nope. I will take a pic tomorrow to show you guys what it looks like.

batman911 · Posted: March 8, 2009, 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Condenser questions

OK here is a pic of it all. The auto advance, cam lobe, points and points plate.

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Yamaha xs650