[Fot] Mallory condenser problems

[Greg Solow]

The capacitance of the condensor is related to the resistance of the 
priimary windings of the coil that is in the circuit. So the coil is 
critical!. The Mallory condensors may also not be as robust as they could 
be.
    A couple of years ago, when setting up a Mallory unit for a competition 
car, I noticed that the total dwell time available using the dual poiints in 
the Mallory system was WAY less than the 60 degrees of dwell available when 
using a Lucas 25 D or DM2 distributor. I called Mallory and taked to one of 
their engineers about this. Their response was that the windings of the 
Lucas coils are such that they take longer to charge up and so require a 
longer dwell time and a Mallory brand coil. He suggested that a Mallory coil 
was necessary in order to get the most perfromance from the Mallory 
distributor and that the condensor would then be matched to the coil.
                                                                             
            Greg Solow.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "TeriAnn Wakeman" <twakeman at razzolink.com>
To: "Friends of Triumph" <fot at autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 7:35 AM
Subject: [Fot] Mallory condenser problems


> Earlier this year I gave up on my Lucas distributor and converted to a
> Mallory dual point system.  I've been much happier with the distributor
> curve.  However it goes through condensers like popcorn at the movies.
> Some go bad in as little as 1000 miles.  This is the first time I ever
> had condensers go bad on me.
>
> I'm puzzled by the cause and any suggestions would be welcome.
>
> Vehicle Triumph TR3A.
> Coil Lucas Sport coil
> Newer battery with freshly cleaned terminals. Battery wiring stock.
> Electrical wiring stock except for alternator conversion and electric
> fan.  I've never had a condenser go bad with a Lucas distributor in the
> same environment.
>
> Voltmeter shows no resistance ground between point ground plate and
> distributor body.
>
> Are Mallory condensers unusually fragile?  Is there a common substitute
> I can use that is a bit more robust? Is there something I'm overlooking?
>
> Right now I'm afraid to go out to dinner or to the grocery store without
> a spare condenser and tools in the boot.
>
> TeriAnn
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