Chainsaw Ignition Question

Does it matter if you put a condensor on a saw that it isn't made for, as long as it fits?

That's a damn good question...opcorn:

Yes you can swap them as long as the capacitance's microfarad value is the same. In short terms it has to put out as much as the orig spec one Like 0.20-0.24 microfarad...Bob

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farad
Remember Michael Fafaday from 7th grade science. Who would of thought he would be tied in with the chainsaws we work on 40 years later that we were taught...Bob

So if you don't have a way of measuring the capacitance then you won't know if it will work or not?

Chainsaw shop manuals have the values you need when checking the condensers. I got my number for my example from my Echo book here at my desk. I will see if i can find anymore for other saws...Bob

This is cheap enough...
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCR-Inductance-...699?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f2588043

If the condenser works, it will probably work in the chainsaw ignition. If the capacitance of the condenser is not matched pretty precisely with the inductance of the coil then the points might burn more rapidly due to arcing, or the spark might not be a strong without the condenser "pushing" the charge back though.

All in all, I don't think you would see too much of a difference except in some high performance applications.

Mark

I haven't tried, but my logic tells me it should work OK. I have used auto condensers on lawn mower engines and they ran fine. The chances of one saw needing to see a wildly different capacitance than another is small IMO.

But, it may not run as good as it would if the correct value could be found.

Does anyone know of one that would work in place of one for a mac125? I would rather be able to get one locally instead of having to order one.

Good catch Bob

Even with $10 shipping that seems like a pretty good deal foa meter that will measure inductance and capacitance. If I could buy it from here (the office) right now I would, hopefully I will remember tonight.

Mark

Mitch, I know where there are a few laying around, PM me if you're interested.

Mark

Thanks everyone. Let me look through my junk first, Mark. If I can't find one that will work, I'll let you know.

I bought one of the e-bay inductance/capacitance meters tonight, maybe I'll have my wife wrap it up and give it to me for Christmas.

Mark

The wrong capacitance rating of a condenser won't prevent it from working, but will cause more rapid erosion of one or the other of the contact points. The right rating minimizes the arcing at the points, prolonging their life. There is a rule (which I don't remember) that tells which contact burns if the value is too high or too low.