What does the condeser in a point distributor do?
when triggering a msd with a point dist. do you have to have a condeser?

 

A condensor is actually a capacitor. An automotive coil has a primary and a secondary winding. The primary gets 12 volts and in the case of a breaker point ign system one side of the primary of the coil is fed 12 volts directly from the battery supply usually through a resistor to limit current flow and the other side of the primary goes to the breaker points. When the points close current flows through the primary. When the points open the removal of the current flow through the primary causes what they call an inductive kick, that is anytime the voltage is removed from a coil of wire the magnetic field created by the voltage collapses and generates a voltage spike many times the applied 12 volts. In the case of an auto coil that collapsing field is induced into the secondary or high voltage side of the coil and a spark of sufficient voltage is fed to the plugs via the rotor in the dist. The amount of turns of wire in the coil between the primary and secondary or "turns ratio" determines the amount of voltage or spark to the plugs. The condensor has a twofold purpose. When the points open and the field collapses the spike on the primary can jump the point contacts causing erratic coil operation. The condensor begins to charge up as the points open so that no arcing across the points occurrs allowing the coil to be ready for another charge/discharge cycle. Without a condensor the engine runs like the wires are crossed(my old 71 Formula). Also the condensor does save the points from this excess arcing which would destroy the contacts in short order. As far as the MSD is concerned consult the MFG as to whether it is needed or not.

 

thanks for the info,I will contact msd co. to verify if it is needed or not.