Condensor

Thanks Robert, AO and Charles for your replies, I now know it'll need changing if I decide to go 12v (as I suspected). I wonder if anyone has managed to find a suitable condenser that can fit internally under the cover?

I have no wish to upgrade the ignition system to electronic, the engine runs just fine as is, plus is very simple. The only reason I would change the electrics to 12 volt is for better bulb choice and regulated charge system.

Presently it's slightly over charging with the lights on because I'm running a 6v halogen bulb that is 25 watts. I believe a 35 watt headlight bulb would be better but I haven't found a suitable halogen in P36 format. I might have to change the headlamp to H4 type. I have a few options to think about. :-)

I opened up the chain case to do some maintenance today and the ES2 has still got it's original 6v alternator, it's is in a pretty poor state, the wires are all cracked and have been badly repaired in the past. It's now looking like I will be going 12 volt, I've got an old Commando alternator which is quite usable. Zoom in to the picture attached and look at the wires where they exit the alternator to see how bad they are. Its's amazing it worked OK like this. 

Hi David, it is a trick of the light, the gap is between the rotor and iron posts of the stator which are very close. I have pointed out on the picture so you might just see.

Hi AO, yes thanks, I have indeed put two new leads on the old Commando stator that I intend to use on my ES2, which was only removed from my Commando because the wires had gone so hard and brittle. The old 6v stator is now a museum piece. 

Going back to the origin of the thread, my question was "Are there 6 volt and 12 volt condensers?" I have found more advice on Condensers on other forums:-

From a car forum. - Can I use a 12 volt condensor on 6 volt car? No such thing as a 6V or 12V ignition condenser. Irrespective of applied primary voltage (6V, 12V, 24V) the condensers are made to withstand the flyback or reverse EMF voltage made by the coil as it's magnetic field collapses when the points open. That is ~80-100 volts for a typical iron core type ignition coil. The condensers have an insulation breakdown voltage of 200 volts or more when new.

From a Tractor forum.  "condensers are usually rated for about 200 volts, but they need to match the sparkie coil. (its a technical thing) so 6v or 12v, positive or negative ground, consensers don't care and you don't eather. Condersers eather fail dramatically (quit running by internally shorting out) or fail in about 1 minutes time by internal leakage but will start up the next morning after cooling off overnite"

What do the electrical minded Norton owners out there think of those two pieces of text?

Kind regards, Alan

Many thanks Charles, very useful information, covers everything. A couple of days ago I mounted a Lucas car condenser externally. The Lucas workshop instructions confirms I've done the right thing. I'm yet to try it out, still got to get the primary drive back together. Plus remove the original alternator wires from the PRS8 switch.

Regards, Alan