Coil, Question Options

[shane]

In just getting everything together and excited to finally after a few long years start up my teener I managed to hook up the points to the + side a melt the points wire. I’m replacing the condenser and points is it likely I messed up the coil too. Was just going to replace points condenser first then go from there. Should I be looking for other things also? Thanks in advance for any and all guidance here as I’m not an expert car guy.

[Superhawk996]

Was just going to replace points condenser first then go from there.

Wont hurt to replace the condensor but a condensor is really just a capacitor.

Capacitors cannot flow DC current.

It is only there to absorb, instantaneous (transient) voltage spikes that are created as the points open and close. It helps avoid arc burning of the points.

So although you had enough DC current flow to melt the wire to the points (because they were closed to ground when you connected to DC +), the condensor (again - just a capacitor) didn't flow that same current.

I know you'll feel better replacing it but thought it might help ease your mind if you don't have one handy.

Coil itself should be fine. Again, it wasn't part of the circuit that got shorted to ground. In fact, the coil really is momentarily shorted to ground as the points open and close. That is it's normal mode of operation. However, since you put the points on the + terminal, there was no current flow though the coil windings.



FYI -- 1st check that the fuse that feeds 12v to the coil is the proper sized fuse. If is the proper OEM size, you likely didn't hurt the wiring for which the fuse was sized.

My car is in pieces, but, as I recall the points wire is smaller gauge wire than the 12V+ feed so the points wire likely was the "fuse".

I wouldn't hurt to check at least look as far "upstream" from the coil + as you can easily see to make sure there was no melting going on in the 12V+ coil feed. Wiring Diagram is your friend for the details.

[shane]

Was just going to replace points condenser first then go from there.

Wont hurt to replace the condensor but a condensor is really just a capacitor.

Capacitors cannot flow DC current.

It is only there to absorb, instantaneous voltage spikes that are created as the points open and close. It helps avoid arc burning of the points.

So although you had enough DC current flow to melt the wire to the points (because they were closed to ground when you connected to DC +), the condensor (again - just a capacitor) didn't flow that same current.

I know you'll feel better replacing it but thought it might help ease your mind if you don't have one handy.

Great thank you, how about damage to the coil?