Ferrari Mailing List: Condenser's - just how do they work?

[Doug & Terri (dnt]

All these name changes – gads.  An old geezer can’t keep up with it.

But about those condensers – uh, capacitors – they’ll hold quite a charge.  We’d charge one up and leave it on the bench for that ever loving-nosey-know-it-all to come by – ZAPPooo.

 

Wonder of wonders.  We made one in a physics class with beakers and a piece of metal bent to accept a charge.  Charge it up and disassemble.  Now touch all the parts – no shock.  Nada.  Reassemble and POW.  Although we had to explain why then I have absolutely no recall why now.  Perhaps someone with a doctorate or other degree in electricity can explain it - - - not that Im going to build one again.  :  )

 

The other fun thing to do is go to a parts store and ask the clerk for tune up parts:  Plugs, points, and condenser.  Plugs they know – the other stuff they have no idea but are happy to look up.

 

Cheers

DOUG