The aims of a 'condensectomy' are:
-
to take the condenser that is buried in the armature out of circuit, and
possibly remove it completely;
-
to maintain the connection of the 'earth' side of the low-tension winding
to the body of the armature; and
-
to maintain the connection of the 'live' side of the LT winding to the
live contact breaker point.
Then, when an EasyCap is fitted to the contact breaker assembly, the whole
magneto can function as intended, without the old condenser interfering with the
operation.
A number of people have mentioned that if the old condenser has failed
completely open circuit, then there is no need to disconnect it. That is true.
However, condensers commonly fail in other ways, and it is nigh on impossible to tell whether a condenser has failed open
circuit without disconnecting it from the LT winding. Having disconnected it,
there's no point in reconnecting it again.
In this section of the web site, we have set out step-by-step instructions on
how to perform a condensectomy on a Lucas K1F, K2F, KVF or N1 magneto
or an MO1 or MN2 magdyno. If you wish, you can print out
printer-friendly versions of the
instructions and take them to your workshop. Alternatively, you can use our
Armature Service or Magneto Service
and we will do the job for you. If you are working on a BTH magneto, please
follow the Lucas instructions, but bear in mind that there are some differences
with the BTH instruments.
There are a number of procedures involved, as listed below.
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