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#31224 04/19/2004 1:09 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 33 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 33 | there was some confusion at napa yesterday about whether i had 6 volt or 12 volt, i have 12 volt.
after about 60 miles the points are quite burnt, is there a difference? :confused: :confused: :confused: | | |
#31225 04/19/2004 1:54 AM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | I don't think the points are different, but if you are running 12 volts there should be a resister in the ignition circuit that reduces the voltage thru the points and coil when the switch is in the run position.
A 6-volt system won't have the resister, and the later 12-volt point type systems typically used a resistance wire instead of a resister.
Check for a white porcelain thing mounted on the firewall, and connected between the ignition switch and the coil.
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#31226 04/19/2004 5:12 AM | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 9 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 9 | Or just get a coil with the resistor built-in........
Sounds like you have a bad condenser.........make sure you replace both when changing the points out. | | |
#31227 04/19/2004 6:19 PM | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | They are not actually supposed to be the same, but they should not burn up that quickly.
6V points usually have larger contact area. Six volt ignition systems actually use a bit more current through the points than 12 volt systems do, resistor or not.
Nowadays you probably can't choose your variety, with the consolidation of part numbering that goes on.
Try a differant condensor. You can tell if yours is bad by looking at the pitting on the points. If there is a big pit on one side and a bump on the other, you need a better one. The optimum value of condensor will keep the point metal from migrating across the arc that forms when the points break, and keeps the wear of the contacts to a minimum. Sometimes you have to select from a batch of condensors to get one that is the perfect value to match your particular coil, and if you find one you should keep it until it goes bad.
I have to deal with this problem a lot with my motorcycle. The bike is a 4 cylinder with two sets of points and a 8500 rpm redline. Some of the newer brands of points suck and bounce at lower RPMS, or wear quickly. I buy NOS points when I can find them and they last 3x as long.
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