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4020guru 09-15-2012 18:28:59 216.226.88.184 Report to Moderator	Th is mag is off a stationary LUC JD motor. At first glance we were not getting spark to the plugs. We then tore the mag apart and check the voltage of the coil we got a max of 96mV. The continuity of the wires are good and the coil seemed to be good also.Could the condenser be bad? If the condenser is bad should it still generate a spark? Anybody no where to get cheap ones ? [Reply]   [No Email]
metal4130 10-02-2012 19:42:55 173.19.173.194 Report to Moderator	Re: Wico series C ??? from a novice in reply to 4020guru, 09-15-2012 18:28:59   So, I just finished building one of the Wico C mags that I have. I replaced all the internals; coil, rotor, condenser and points. I mounted it on the tractor and I get a really nice blue spark. Problem is, the same spark plug has a weak blue spark the next time around when it should not be firing. What could cause this issue? Thank you. [Reply]  [No Email]
4020guru 09-18-2012 20:25:49 216.226.89.76 Report to Moderator	Re: Wico series C ??? from a novice in reply to 4020guru, 09-15-2012 18:28:59   John T , you mentioned a primary and secondary coil. Are these mags basically transforming power like a transformer ? I tried to check the capacitance of the condenser with my multi meter and there was no micro fared reading. How do you test the condensers? [Reply]  [No Email]
John T 09-16-2012 05:21:01 216.249.82.117 Report to Moderator	Re: Wico series C ??? from a novice in reply to 4020guru, 09-15-2012 18:28:59   "We then tore the mag apart and check the voltage of the coil we got a max of 96mV." When you checked the voltage of the coil did you place a small AC voltage on its Low Voltage Primary and measure the voltage out its HV Secondary or just what did you do??? The LV primary has its input voltage created by the magnetic rotor passing by it and thats relatively low and if you start manually applying too much voltage on its input you can easily fry it...... "Could the condenser be bad? If the condenser is bad should it still generate a spark?" YES condensors go bad,,,,If its shorted NO SPARK,,,,,,If its leaky or the value is way out of spec WEAK SPARK,,,,,If its not there at all VERY WEAK SPARK Anybody no where to get cheap ones ? Mag rebuilders who advertise here sell them THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF NO SPARK IS THE POINTS ARE BADLY BUREND OR PITTED OR OXIDIZED OR NOT GAPPED CORRECT Sometimes on a Wico C the points spring shorts out to case Id try a new set of points and condensor John T [Reply]  [No Email]
metal4130 09-16-2012 12:47:53 173.19.173.194 Report to Moderator	Re: Wico series C ??? from a novice in reply to John T, 09-16-2012 05:21:01   John T, I've got 2 Wico base mount magnetos that I plan to use on some John Deere GP tractors. These magnetos were pulled off of two tractors that haven't been run in many many years and were sitting outside. I was able to get both of them completely apart and would like to get them back together. They were surprisingly in good shape on the inside. Question is, how do I know what parts need to be replaced? Is there a way to measure the coil and condenser to check their condition? One of the coils seemed to leak some kind of resin out of it, does this mean it is for sure in bad condition? I just don't want to spend all kinds of money on parts that I truly do not need. Lastly, how can a coil go bad aside from a discontinuity? Isn't it just a winding of wires with no moving parts? Thank you, Eric [Reply]  [No Email]
John T 09-16-2012 13:35:23 50.102.26.178 Report to Moderator	Re: Wico series C ??? from a novice in reply to metal4130, 09-16-2012 12:47:53   If a coil has leaked, theres a good chance its bad, possibly its been overheated. But Ive had a few that had leaked slightly that still worked!!! A simple low voltage VOM ohms check will show if a coil is definitely BAD but it cant show if its good. i.e. even if it passes low voltage ohms continuity checks, it can break down once warm especially the high voltage secondary winding. Typical the LV primary may be in the 0.5 to 1 ohms range while the HV Secondary may be 5K to under 10 K Ohms. If either is open its obviously badddddddddddd They often go bad from just sitting or with age cuz the insulation deteriorates causing HV breakdown even though they may still show good under a low voltage low heat VOM test The points need replaced if badly burend or pitted, they need to look clean n smooth n even n shiny. A condensor can look fine or even be a brand new one yet be bad. A true full fledged capacitor tester can test for value and leakage or even A VOM wiull show if its bad cuz its a dead short. If you dont have equipment to test for no more then the cost Id buy new points n condensor and if the coil passes continuity and ohms test she may just work?? John T [Reply]  [No Email]
teddy52food 09-15-2012 18:31:11 184.94.175.179 Report to Moderator	Re: Wico series C ??? from a novice in reply to 4020guru, 09-15-2012 18:28:59   Clean or replace the points and get a GOOD condenser, not a cheap one. [Reply]  [No Email]