I'm converting my 51 to 12 volt and have most of the parts. Do I need to change my condenser? Technician at Macks Trucks says I don't. I'm not so sure about the advice given. Let me know if my concerns are warranted. Thanks.
I've converted a few Ford tractors from six to twelve volts and have never worried about points or condenser. Never had any early failures of the points. However, your coil polarity should be changed.
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Fords in the Stable
1956 F350 DRW with hydraulic dump
2007 F150 supercab
1973 F250 Camper Special
1955 Ford 850 restored
If the condenser is an electrolytic type (and I think they are) they are polarity sensitive. Couldn't hurt to swap to a 12v type. Why not go "all the way" and go to electronic ignition?!
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Ross
1952 F-1 Flat V8 3-on-the-tree
Other projects/vehicles: '86 Porsche 944; '91 H-D FXRS
New condensors are a crap shoot with so much coming off-shore. The old ones are more reliable - run yours until it fails, then keep a spare or two in the glovebox.
Ross, I'm not sure about that - I run my original on 12V neg grnd and have for 10+ years with no hiccups from the polarity change.
As far as voltage goes, your inline ceramic resistor drops the voltage to the same as the original 6V system. The points only see about 4.5V
been building magnetos and dist for 40 yr and never changed pts or cond for 6 to 12v.
if you don't want to use resistor, buy a 12v coil with internal resistor. it will say on case
-no external resistor required.
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