What multi meters will read in the 400 MFD range?

[Movin/on]

I need to purchase 2 400 MFD condensers for a Grant-Spaulding Ford FE distributor but have no way to measure some I've got.
What reasonably priced multi meter (around $100) will do this?
Richard >>> Movin/on

 

[justsam]

Are you sure of that value? If we are talking about a traditional Kettering ignition, with breaker points, the capacitor or condenser value would be more like 0.2microfarad, not 400 microfarad. Is the condenser inside the distributor or external. A 400 microfarad would be physically large to put inside. If this is some type of capacitive Discharge system then all bets are off. Most digital voltmeters today will measure capacitance. Can you show a picture of what you currently have?

 

[BillK]

I have one of these that I use here at the shop. Just looked at the instructions and it says up to 400mfd

https://www.amazon.com/Multimeter-Auto-Ranging-Klein-Tools-MM420/dp/B0B57PFFYX?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Movin/on]

The Grant-Spaulding uses 2 external condensers and two 12V coils. I was informed the condensers are 400MFD and the coils need to be 1.5ohms each. Picture attached. The distributor has two 4-cylinder distributors stacked and each supply's one side. I've got a number of Mallory can type capacitors and hope they can be used.
I'll check the 400 MFD value again. But really what meter measures at least from 0.2 MFD to 400 MFD?
BlllK looked at the link and it didn't state that it measures capacitance. I'll check the Kline site closer.

Richard >>> Movin/on

 

[BillK]

Digital Multimeter, TRMS Auto-Ranging, 600V, Temp - MM420 | Klein Tools

Klein Tools MM420 Multimeter is an auto-ranging, true root mean square (TRMS) multimeter that measures AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, and resistance. It can also measure temperature, capacitance, frequency, duty-cycle, and test diodes and continuity. Klein Tools' Test and Measurement product line...

www.kleintools.com

Scroll down to the specs. Top of the page on the right hand side.

 

[Movin/on]

OK found it I didn't scroll down that far.
Thanks, will see if Home Depot has them.
Richard

 

[justsam]

Trust me, you do not want a 400 MFD condenser on that coil! More like 0.4 MFD and I can buy it. I think what is happening here is the US convention is to spec capacitance in microFarads. Oft times the micro is represented by Greek letter mu, as represented by lower case "u". It can also be shown as "M". What I think has happened here is someone was using a more Euro convention of expressing capacitance in NanoFarads, which is 3 orders of magnitude smaller, and can be designated as nF. Long story short if you chose to express in nf, the proper spec is 400 nF. If you express it in MFD it is 0.4 MFD. Both are the same value.

I personally built engines in the era of the Spaulding Flamethrower and there is no way Spaulding designed a coil/distributor configuration to use 400MFD. I suspect you are after true nostalgia here other wise no one would continue to deal with breaker point based ignition, especially a dual point configuration. Find someone that still has an old distributor machine or scope to set this up. Are you using vacuum advance/retard?

I have attached a picture of a typical breaker point condenser. It happens to be 0.2MFD, or 200nF.

 

[Snapped-off]

BlllK looked at the link and it didn't state that it measures capacitance. I'll check the Kline site closer.

It's right on the face of the meter

 

[dave*99]

This distributor looks similar - and the condensers sure don't look like 400 MFD.

Vintage Tech: Spalding Flame Thrower Ignition

By: Patrick H Smith A Spalding FlameThrower cutaway reveals h...

phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.com

 

[Movin/on]

Talked to the person who told me 400 MFD and he replied the same value. He also said the Mallory "Can Type" condensers
are that value. I'm going to purchase the referenced Klien Multi meter and check what value the Mallory condensers are.
Yes, Vintage look. Ford 427. vintage Mercury valve covers, RC bellhousing and long tube CI headers. The distributor will help with the theme.
Thanks all.
Richard >>> Movin/on

 

[justsam]

Perhaps the person is confusing the part number from Mallory, which I believe is MAA-400, and is available from Summit Racing. When you measure you should see 0.4 MFD, or 400 nF, which is two ways of expressing the same value. If you look at the ignition points, assuming they have some hours of use on them, the correct condenser value will result in an equal metal build up on both sides of the points.

 

[dave*99]

Perhaps the person is confusing the part number from Mallory, which I believe is MAA-400, and is available from Summit Racing. When you measure you should see 0.4 MFD, or 400 nF, which is two ways of expressing the same value. If you look at the ignition points, assuming they have some hours of use on them, the correct condenser value will result in an equal metal build up on both sides of the points.

Here is the MAA400: