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Capacitor fitment

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Ignoramus seeks knowledge: the Commando workshop manual specifies that the 99.0737 capacitor must be fitted terminals downwards.

Why? (a.k.a. what happens if it is fitted with terminals in some other orientation?)

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Robert, I take your point, but if there's enough water flying about for it to start penetrating the capacitor housing should one not start to worry about shorts between the terminals?

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Sorry both wrong. The original 2MC capacitor manufactured by Lucas in the mid 70s is an Electrolytic Capacitor, that is the insulating liquid inside it was/is liable to leak out, it can be mildly corrosive. Therefore you do not want it on any part of your motorcycle. In fact if you look closely at the black 'rubber' end of the 2MC you should see a slight bump, this is a relieve 'valve' should it leak it leaks down wards. That was in the 70s. now 40 yrs we have far better Electrolytic Capacitors, this issue is no longer such BUT they will 'misbehave' if you reversconnect them, they have been known to fly apart with 'interestings results!'-don't do it.

So connecting the 2MC downwards is recommended, every replacement since can be connected in any orientation. BUt continue to observe polarity.

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Thanks for that enlightenment, Al.

I had been pondering the implications of "electrolytic", so the old one is coming off this morning! (Testing as specified in the workshop manual showed 5V, so a replacement is in order in any case.)

 


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