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Re: Capacitor or condenser ?





On Sun, 6 Apr 1997, Leigh Palmer wrote:

"Condensers" were used in old fashioned ignition systems to supress
arcing over the breaker points. I used to have to change the condenser
every time I replaced the points. It was supplied in the kit whether
it was needed or not. Auto mechanics never used "capacitors".

Leigh


Not all mechanics. My long-time mechanic (now retired) once replaced the
points and "condensor" in my old auto, and casually remarked "Actually,
you know, condensors are really nothing but capacitors." And he'd diagnose
engine problems by putting a metal rod against the running engine and the
other end to his skull so he could hear better what was wrong. He could
diagnose most anything by sound. Now mechanics rely on computers. And,
when he installed new exhaust pipes, and they rattled, he said "I'll be
the fact that I used heavier metal pipes than you had before changed the
resonant frequency." So he found where their vibration antinode was and
put an extra hanger there. The "Clik and Clak brothers would have been
proud.

-- Donald

......................................................................
Dr. Donald E. Simanek Office: 717-893-2079
Prof. of Physics Internet: dsimanek@eagle.lhup.edu
Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA. 17745 CIS: 73147,2166
Home page: http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek FAX: 717-893-2047
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