High Voltage Arc / Ignition Coil - Light Dimmer Switch - Run Capacitor - Circuit

[bruce89103]

Fastback86-

The project in the video uses one 5MFD, 370Volt A/C capacitor for each of the ignition coils. I have since upgraded the project to include a switch that puts a second identical capacitor in PARALLEL to each of the coils (brings the capacitance to 10MFD per coil). It gives a stronger spark when turned on (as 10MFD lets more current flow than a 5MFD). Downside is the coils warm up a little faster so you don't want to run this for more than a few minutes.

Bruce

[fastback86]

What's the specs on the capacitors? MFD and voltage?

[bruce89103]

Wow- Just cant get this appear as typed. The second line in the (con't) comment got scrambled. 2nd line should read- "narrative: Hook up cap number ones other terminal..." Sure this is now clear as mud..

[bruce89103]

(cont')- Afraid the hookup didn't show up as I typed it. Let me try to continue the narrative: Hook up cap #1's other terminal to the (+) of one of the ignition coils. Hook up cap #2 's other terminal to the (-) of the other ignition coil. Connect the remaining ends of the ignition coils (-) on the first coil, (+) on the second coil together and connect this to the other AC line (White-Neutral). That is about it. Hopefully this makes sense without a good schematic. Bruce

[bruce89103]

Hookup is pretty straight forward, though hard to show in this comment box, but I'll try:

AC Line ---Fuse----Dimmer-|--Run Capacitor-----(+) Ignition Coil (-)-|----AC Line |- Run Capacitor-----(-) Ignition Coil (+)-|

Note the two "AC Line". One is the black Wire (Hot) and one is the White wire (Neutral). Connect AC Line Hot to fuse. Connect one wire of the dimmer to the fuse and the other wire to one terminal of each of the two caps. (con't)

[jackscholze]

Can I get a schematic or hookup diagram somewhere. Thanks a lot

[juniortore1]

Sweet. I remember when I did this