I have recently stripped some of my Thunderbolt down during the lock down , I assembled it connected the battery up and it immediately blew the inline fuse. There appears to be a dead short somewhere, If I disconnect the capacitor it seems to cure it. Could this be a faulty capacitor.
Any advice/ suggestions are more than welcome.
Has the capacitor been fitted the correct way around?
I don't know much about "modern" bike electrics but if it's got an electrolytic capacitor it must be fitted correctly. And certain capacitors can explode if fitted incorrectly.
Thanks for the suggestion. Yes it has it has a small and large spade connector. I also photographed everything before dismantling.
They can short to earth. It seems you have proved that by removing it. Any car type capacitor will do the job, they all have the same value.
Thanks for your replies.
Hi,
Worth checking if the capacitor cable is down to earth first. Then disconnect the battery neg terminal, start the engine, turn on lights with main beam. It will be difficult to start with a faulty capacitor.
If it is suspect here are the capacitor testing instructions:
Best wishes...
Who fitted the capacitor? They were normally only fitted to batteryless models. Or do you mean the points "condensers"?
Hi,
In later models they were also fitted for use in emergency , when the battery was flat.
Best wishes...
Standard capacitors are around 220 micro farads.
You can buy small solid state ones which aren't polarity sensitive and are very cheap to buy.
A lot of nos or pattern ones are shite.
They can also be mounted remotely.
Bess, it would never have been standard equipment on a road model, optional extra yes but never As standard from the factory.
Hi,
Yep, capacitor kit part number 00-4402.
To be used with or without battery, useful in a road bike for emergency operation.
Best wishes...
This is a photo of it , looks like it has always been fitted, certainly been there for the 3 years I've owned it and also for the previous owner of 2 years.
It has electronic ignition fitted also.
Quote from: AdrianS on 24 May, 2020, 17:53
Standard capacitors are around 220 micro farads.
You can buy small solid state ones which aren't polarity sensitive and are very cheap to buy.
A lot of nos or pattern ones are shite.
They can also be mounted remotely.
Thanks, where would the best place be to get an electronic replacement?
Quote from: Bess on 24 May, 2020, 15:00
Hi,
Worth checking if the capacitor cable is down to earth first. Then disconnect the battery neg terminal, start the engine, turn on lights with main beam. It will be difficult to start with a faulty capacitor.
If it is suspect here are the capacitor testing instructions:
Best wishes...
Thank you.
Quote from: Bess on 24 May, 2020, 15:00
Hi,
Worth checking if the capacitor cable is down to earth first. Then disconnect the battery neg terminal, start the engine, turn on lights with main beam. It will be difficult to start with a faulty capacitor.
If it is suspect here are the capacitor testing instructions:
Best wishes...
Very useful thank you.
Quote from: Rory57 on 24 May, 2020, 20:31
This is a photo of it , looks like it has always been fitted, certainly been there for the 3 years I've owned it and also for the previous owner of 2 years.
It has electronic ignition fitted also.
You are running the bike also with a good battery? I'm not sure if running the bike with the capacitor only is a good idea if it has electronic ignition. You could check with the manufacturer of the electronic ignition. If they say "battery recommended" there is no point in obtaining a new capacitor, just discard it.
Hi,
From the attached image the spring mount is at the the terminal end, usually fitted the other way around with the spring narrow end in the groove of the capacitor body. There are 2 types of springs available, whichever spring is used the capacitor terminals must be pointing down.
https://www.draganfly.co.uk/index.php/component/hikashop/product/16782-
https://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/2mc-capacitor-for-mk3_4507.htm
More info here:
https://www.classicbritishspares.com/blogs/news/product-review-lucas-type-2mc-capacitor-54170009?page=2
A modern supercapacitor equivalent would be a better option if the electrics are up to it.
Best wishes...
If you fit a Boyer power box to the bike this will take care of the regulation and the capacitor, a battery can still be fitted if desired.
Some of the modern regulator/rectifiers like the Podtronics have a built in capacitor.
Quote from: LightningAndStarfire on 24 May, 2020, 21:58
Quote from: Rory57 on 24 May, 2020, 20:31
This is a photo of it , looks like it has always been fitted, certainly been there for the 3 years I've owned it and also for the previous owner of 2 years.
It has electronic ignition fitted also.
You are running the bike also with a good battery? I'm not sure if running the bike with the capacitor only is a good idea if it has electronic ignition. You could check with the manufacturer of the electronic ignition. If they say "battery recommended" there is no point in obtaining a new capacitor, just discard it.
I have a battery fitted along with the capacitor. Many thanks for your advice. I will remove the capacitor and seal the terminals to stop any chance of shorting.
Quote from: Nanonevol on 26 May, 2020, 13:23
Some of the modern regulator/rectifiers like the Podtronics have a built in capacitor.
The podtronics doesn't have a capacitor. The Boyer powerbox does... but not the podtronics. I have one on my Lightning (3 phase), whilst it's been reliable for over 10 years, it doesn't have the advantages of a capacitor. The powerbox with capacitor is quite a different story and works really well when a battery is not used or dead. The OIF thunderbolt I'm building is going to be the replacement touring bike, for this I've fitted the powerbox (3 phase unit again) having used the single phase units in off road applications (Lighting delay model) and smaller bikes I've been happy with their performance also.
Thanks for your advice.
Thank you all for you very valuable advice and knowledge. I'm pleased to say that after removing the capacitor and making safe the connectors with heat shrink. All is well and she started 4th kick.
Whilst stripped down I fitted a remote oil filter under the swinging arm , see photo. I still use Castrol XXL 40.
Thanks again!