Hondaman Ignition - does the stock condenser still have a job?

[philward]

Just had a 2nd condenser fail on the 750k2 since rebuid in 2015 and am considering the Hondaman ignition system. I have a Boyer on the CR750 Rep but although works well, wasn't that pleased with amateurish connections, mounting of box of tricks and lack of threads on spindle when mounting rotor.
As the main reason why I am looking to go electronic is the condenser failure - maybe the aftermarket condensers are less reliable (and OEM are very expensive!), does the Hondaman system still have a use for the condenser? (as my understanding is that the purpose of the condenser is to reduce the current across the points - which the Hondaman system is supposed to do).
Views from electrickery experts please

[K2-K6]

I read through his design, development and test thread for the ignition to get overview some time ago.

It will run without the condenser in place but left in situ gives easy return to points in event of failure if needed to "get you home" in his description.

The coil load is switched by the auxiliary unit entirely and uses something like 400v power transistors to cope with the load that the condenser would ordinarily deal with.

[philward]

Thanks, that makes sense - will be keeping condensers in place but wanted to make sure the condensers wouldn't fail again if I fitted the Hondaman system.
Its priced at $80 (about £58) plus import duty - have just emailed him about postage costs incase thats restrictive

[K2-K6]

From memory,  he runs with condensers disconnected and I think just 5.0v going through the points to give the switch timing trigger function,  with the points also lasting more or less indefinitely.

Quite a neat little system he designed there.

[philward]

yes it looks good and like the idea of standard points backup and wiring that connects to existing stock connections. Although I used a Boyer system trouble free for years in the 70's, wasn't too impressed with the quality of the way it fitted (i.e. Scotchblocks, etc) - wasn't an issue with the CR Rep as everything was custom/modded