Substitute SXLAO Condensor (Wico)

[bamaboilermaker]

Quick question, i was doing the reassy of a 1979 SXLAO with Wico points system.  This is a low hour saw with good compression and lots or original paint.  I think i am the first one to ever pull the flywheel.  i got the points nice and clean and set correctly, i reassembled and had no spark.  I assume that the condensor is bad (have not yet tested it but ....)

In any case i thought that i had some spare condensors (63250 A) in my supply, but found out that i only had the SXLAO Phelon (long) condensors and none for the Wico system.  I saw that i had several of the Phelon SEZAO condensors 65208 which should fit into a SXLAO if i cut off the flag and extend the wire over to the points box.  

Have any of you ever done this conversion / swap?  Would i be better off modifying the Phelon long condensor (modification of the points bracket will be required to provide clearance to the long canister)

I checked on line and it seems like nobody has the 63250 condensor.

Other options will be to drop in a later solid state bracket and do a Husky Coil conversion, but i would prefer to keep it original if possible.  i also have not had much luck doing the chip conversion.  i have not had one last very long.

[edju1958]

If the chips aren't lasting very long then you've most likely got a problem with them overheating.This would ber due to a possible improper mounting position.I've got a few saws here that have the original Atom chip in them & they're still running.The key is to mount the chip where it'd get optimum cooling.

      As for the Phelon condenser in place of the Wico condense - go for it.The Wico must be Wico & Phelon must be Phelon is a myth.A member here told me a couple of yrs.ago that he uses Phelon condensers in place of the Wico condenser all the time,mostly because they're cheaper.

[bamaboilermaker]

Sounds good. I’ll test old and new condensers on my tester and try to install the phelon sez flag condenser in place of the wico 93250. Will share results either way. I also have several mason jars of delco-remy condensers but I think they are too big in diameter for our saws. I got those with my knight tester

[edju1958]

I'v got several condensers for Homelites,Macs,& Remingtons that were tested as good a couple of yrs.ago,but as time is their enemy,they may not be any good anymore.I need to have my son's buddy who builds computers to build a condenser tester for me.The guy who tested my condensers is now 82 & he has closed his parts store for the last month due to getting a case of the shingles & also taking a fall.Right now he has about 20 condensers that I sent to him back in Jan.to be tested.He did test them for me,but hasn't shipped them back yet.

     Funny thing,Mac & Remington used only Phelon condensers in their old saws.I have no idea about Poulan's old saws.

[bamaboilermaker]

Last night I fired up the Knight tester and tested several condensors for open / short condition. Both suspect and new in the bag condensors were tested on the unit. All showed as bad from the "Magic Eye". i then performed the multi meter test on the same condensors and all were able to be charged and bled down slowly (not correct test method, but what I have done in past to sort out truely "bad" ones)
I have to look up specs for my tester, i am thinking it was designed for testing higher farad capacitors than what is used in our saws and is unable to determine good from bad.

On another note, i looked in my parts box and found 2 more Wico coils / condensors / etc that i have pulled from parts saws. I will get this one running one way or another.

BTW- the Phelon SEZ condensor with flag fit almost perfectly on the Wico Bracket, wire was slightly short, but was able to connect to the points box. I have several of these still in the bags from Leon.

[bamaboilermaker]

works like a champ