Condenser Q mag-coil conversion

[pigpen60]

Do you need to change the condenser when you go from a magneto to a coil on a briggs and stratton engine? Since we are on condensers, if you doubled up on the condensers would it make a "hotter" spark?

[cobbadog]

2 condensors would not be of any use to boost spark.

Not too certain as to your question changing from magneto to coil. A magneto has a coil and condensor as standard. Are you thinking of running an external coil?

[pigpen60]

Sorry, yes I mean a automotive type ignition coil.

[Andrew Mackey]

Runing 2 caps (condensers) will probably cause pitting on the points, as the excess capacity will reverb thru the coil and cause arcing a the contacts. As Cobbadog stated, there is no advantage. To answer your other questin, yes, you do need a condenser with an automotive coil. The only difference between the 2 coils is the power source. On battery, it's obvious, n mag, its the motion between the mag and the magnets that produces the primary current tht makes spark. As for converting a B&S to battery and coil, you need to know if the points are normally open or closed. Turn the crank 360 degrees and note if the points open only momentarily, or do they just close for a moment before openning. If they stay closed most of the time, thhe engine will burn out the coil due to excess dwell (time power is applied to the coil) If it stays open most of the time, a battery and coil should work. NOTE - if you do convert to battery and coil, you MUST stay with the engine while it is running. If it quits while you are away, it may stop with the points closed, which in turn will overheat the coil in short order. I have seen auto coils explode in a slittle as 5 minutes!

Is there a specific reason not to replace the original coil?

[pigpen60]

more of a curiosity. I saw a pic of an A with a automotive ignition coil and I was wondering.

[Andrew Mackey]

If i remember right, the A has normally open points, so a battery and coil set up would work. You would have to charge the battery, as there is no generater in the engine to do so.