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Condensors don\'t last forever..... No they don\'t

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68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14817
I read somewhere that You should replace Your condensor every time You replaced Your points..... I don't really think that is necessary... But every couple of years at least all the disposable ignition parts should be replaced.... and always carry a new Condensor-Points-Spark Plugs-Distributor Cap-rotor Button and a couple of spare spark plug leads in the boot or under the rear seat. A spare coil could be handy, as is an electric fuel pump.... I release You can't carry everything that May break down.... but the more You carry the less chance of You having to use it.... Murphy's Law... I always carry a spare headlamp & tail lamp bulb too.... but then thats Me... I Hate Murphy's Law .... He's NOT going to beat Me...:thumb🙂:o

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14829
The best thing I put on a VW was a Compufire Hall cell ignition. No points, no condenser, no trouble.
Had a little trouble with pinging from Pot no 3 when I first fitted it, ( a Hall Cell doesn't have retard on Cylinder 3 built in) but retarded the timing by a couple of degrees and now its sweet.
Starts first go and runs a lot better than when using points. Would recomend these to anyone.
Note you have to change the coil to non balast resist, electronic type too.
I used it on the old VW 12 volt one and this coil died after about 2 months.:thumb

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14845
What do You mean by electronic Coil?
Very Interested....
Thinking of buying one of these..
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14851
When I went to buy a new coil from Repco, the guy behind the counter had had some experience with Hall Cells. He recomended a Bosch coil suitable for electronic ignition.
My brother is a deisel mechanic and he also warned me that the standard VW coil would probably fail pretty quickly with the Hall Cell ignition. Not sure exactly why, but he was right.

Have attached a pic of the new Bosch coil.

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70AutoStik Insano Dub Head

730 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14863
Two reasons - such an ignition increases "dwell," that is the DC current flows for a greater percentage of the time, producing more heat; then the greater voltage and rate of rise of the output tends to break down what was probably already an old coil. Modern epoxy style coils cope far better, but if your coil is quite new (and a non-ballast type,) it should last quite a while.

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14874
Thats what I was thinking AutoStick.
The only thing I don't like about this set up, is the these new coils look really ugly compared to the older style.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14907
I do have one of those Bosch electronic type coils. I have never used it as I don't like the look of it either.... Maybe I could hide it...LOL.... Sounds great.... Can You show Me what the bit in the Dizzy looks like... 😀:o:thumb

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14934
Here you go Autobug, heres a couple of pics of whats inside the dizzy fitted with Compufire.

Triggering ring for the Hall Cell

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Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14935
And the Hall Cell itself

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vwrallycar Insano Dub Head

721 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#14980
hi can you please tell me where i can get one of these and how much?
i already run that type of coil

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14993
VWRALLYCAR... You haven't listed Your email address etc... How about filling in the info so I can send You the info on how to buy an EMPI Compufire electronic ignition for around $65-00 Australian including postage.... If You don't have a letterbox You won't receive Any Mail....😀😀
Best Wishes from Scone in NSW.. Where are You located???? We are NOT the secret service and We are NOT hotmail or Yahoo..!!! We are VW owners....and proud of it:thumb:bounce

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14994
Thanks Grey 57 for All Your Help.... I have been wondering about that for about a year or so... You should be a Compufire Salesman.... You have certainly sold Me....:thumb:o😀
Thanks a Million....!!! Lee 68AutoBug
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#14999
No worries Lee, glad to help.
Your $AUS65 is a little on the low side tho. I paid about $US50 plus (can't find the reciept now) direct from the Empi store in LA when I was over there in June. There are two versions , American Made and Taiwan Made. with about a $US25.00 difference in cost between the two. The one I bought was the more expensive US made one. The Empi sales man told me that there had been quality issues with the Taiwan made one. Fiqured that the cost of chasing warranty across the Pacific would be more than an extra US20 bucks.
So be aware and take your chance.:thumb

Oh yeah almost forgot there are two versions , one for 009 and one for std VW distrubutor. Dont now what the difference is. :bounce

[Edited on 15-12-2002 by Grey 57]

OvalGlen Custom Title Time!

1,361 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#15229
and when the condesor starts to die its usually the last thing that you think to check.
-I Should check out these elect ignitions.
I'm think about the Magna adapted one "one Day"
Regards,Glenn>

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#15242
From Grey 57 Enterprizes Pty.
Phone 1800GREYFIVE7
Just kidding.😀

Lee, you are right maybe I should be selling them.

Adz, I'm sure our sponsor would be able to accomadate.

[Edited on 16-12-2002 by Grey 57]

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#15248
I will send You the address etc Adz... I received some info from them today. The Compufire ignition is the expensive one, and there are two models.... for the 009 or....
The EMPI branded one looks identical... but fits both dizzies..... costs about $65 AUS including potage Adz....
sounds very good.... and they are the cheaper one of the two... the other one costs about double....
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---