what does it do

i have replaced points and condenser several times but I really don't know what the condenser does. anyone know. thanks

A condenser softens the spark across the points so they do not ark and burn out prematurely

It holds the voltage from the coil when points are open then discharges the voltage when the points close in simple terms. A fact is once a condenser is charged and then grounded to discharge it will never be completely discharged as some voltage will always be present just part of basic electricity.

As Oroville and Wilber found out. The original Kittyhawk flyer,s engine had no condenser. Also didn't have a carburator. The points they use were pure platinum.

When a coil of wire has current flowing through it such as your coil will when the points are closed it generates a magnetic field. When the points open that magnetic field collapses and tries to keep the current flowing, creating a much higher voltage for a short period of time. The condenser absorbs this voltage spike to keep the points from arcing with the high voltage and burning pits into them.

+1................

RM-MN is on to it. The spark across the plug in these "Kettering" ignitions jumps more than one spark at points opening instant. The voltage generated by the magnetic collapse is seriously AC like as the energy dissipated. Look up ignition spark lines primary and secondary. The coil and condenser can be said to "ring" between them, with the first blush of current being absorbed by the condenser. As the high voltage energy goes away, the voltage between the now open points is back at ignition circuit level, and allows the points to close on that much lower voltage. The ringing voltage can approach 300 volts peak to peak. Jim

(quoted from post at 09:09:23 09/29/18) RM-MN is on to it. The spark across the plug in these "Kettering" ignitions jumps more than one spark at points opening instant. The voltage generated by the magnetic collapse is seriously AC like as the energy dissipated. Look up ignition spark lines primary and secondary. The coil and condenser can be said to "ring" between them, with the first blush of current being absorbed by the condenser. As the high voltage energy goes away, the voltage between the now open points is back at ignition circuit level, and allows the points to close on that much lower voltage. The ringing voltage can approach 300 volts peak to peak. Jim

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Thanks to Jim and RM-MN that's one of those things I kinda knew but couldn't quite rap my head around but with your explanations makes much more sense.
I know that the condenser or capacitor stores the voltage but does it just leak off and regulate itself? Just one of those mind mysteries, don't have to know but would like to.

Very good.

A condenser (capacitor) is like two sheets of aluminum foil with one under, and one over a piece of waxed paper, then waxed
paper on top of that. It is then rolled up into a cigar. Leads are attached to each foil, and there it is. Voltage applied
across the leads charged electrons into the negative side, and pulls electrons out of the positive side. The electrons stare
across the waxed paper and wish they were over there. The holes where electrons would like to be also migrate toward the wax
paper. If the power is taken away, they remain for a long long time. In fact they are used as a battery like thing called a
Capattery. Google it. The only way they can be discharged is by being in a circuit. The condenser in an ignition system is in
a full time circuit when the ignition is on and the points open, the circuit includes the battery, wiring, key, resistor (if
used) the coil primary, and the lead to the points, then the other grounded side is from the condenser case to the engine metal
and back through the battery ground. when the points are closed (ignition off or on) the points short out the capacitor directly
by grounding the lead where it connects.
Capatterys are used to start 16 cylinder General Electric diesel Locomotives. They can be as large as a refrigerator. They are
electronically discharged through the locomotives generator, using it as a motor, and spinning it up to start. Capatterys are
happy when cold, so no issue with starting power. (Diesel starting is more complex than I have described, but that is the
essentials of it. Jim