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Contact Breaker

Submitted by michael_addison on Sun, 22/12/2019
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Electrical

Morning folks.

Any suggestions please?

My single cylinder 4 stroke 1966 Royal Enfield was useless going up hills with no power. Started O.K. and revved O.K. when standing. Checked compression  , piston, valves etc and everything fine. Decided to renew the points and condenser. Everything set up as standard but now even though the points open and close there is no spark and no movement of the ammeter ( Shows a discharge when ignition switched on).To ensure the points definitely open and close I have wedged a sliver of steel between them when "closed" and have kept them open by hand .The condenser and electrical input wire is connected to the pole which holds the spring of the points and arcs across when touched to this pole. The spring itself is insulated from the pole.

Other than the insulating sheaths for the spring there are no other insulating washers although I have tried putting one under the other end of the contact breaker base plate without any change.

Ride safe and have a good Christmas and New Year.

Submitted by ian_soady on Sun, 22/12/2019

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There's usually a top hat shaped nylon insulator between the points spring and the post as well as a fibre washer under the lead securing nut / washer. Assuming standard Lucas kit of course.

The important thing is to check no continuity between the lead from the condenser / coil and the base plate when the points are open.

It is of course possible you have a duff condenser.....

Submitted by michael_addison on Sun, 22/12/2019

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Thanks Ian,

The points and condenser are new Lucas items from Hitchcocks. Everything set up as standard with the nylon top hat insulator and a fibre washer under the lead securing washer and nut.

There is power coming from the coil lead I will check no continuity between this an the base plate as you say.

Thanks again for your time,

Ride safe, Cheers Mick

Submitted by michael_addison on Tue, 24/12/2019

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Good afternoon  Richard and Ian,

There is no continuity with condenser disconnected, with coil lead disconnected or with both attached either with the points open or closed.

Switched ignition on after each stage and no spark and a constant discharge on ammeter. Points are set correctly and are opening and closing as they should. 

I am flummoxed , later on in the week I will see if I can find any electrical fault further down the line.

Thanks again.

 

Ride safe and have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Cheers Mick

 

 

I would say that, wouldn't I.....The above post says 'continuity' was checked, but you don't say what with, it is very easy to be led astray sometimes. 

Basics, disconnect the points wire from the coli. Switch on-should be no discharge. Connect a low wattage bulb from coil CB terminal to earth, switch on, lamp should light. Replace points wire and remove points wire at points, repeat above with lamp. If lamps lights, then touch points wire, (top end still connected to coil) to earth, there should then be a small spark at the plug-hence coil and contact breaker wiring in good order. Leave capacitor disconnected, Replace contact breaker wire to contact breaker. If you now get constant (2A) discharge on ammeter then points fitting is in doubt.

 



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