Do all engines come with condenser?

[That_cub_dude1847]

I have a cub cadet original and I couldn't help but notice it doesn't have a condenser on it in the ignition system. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find it. Do some engines come with a condenser? If not, is there a way I could mount one?

[Cubcadet_107]

I do believe they should come with a condenser, don't think it'll run right without.

Question: is your Original Electric start or pull start with no starter/generator? If it's pull start and without a starter/generator, the coil is mounted as part of a magneto beneath the flywheel and it generates spark with magnets mounted to the flywheel. The condenser may be mounted underneath the flywheel with it.

[That_cub_dude1847]

Originally Posted by Cubcadet_107

I do believe they should come with a condenser, don't think it'll run right without.

Question: is your Original Electric start or pull start with no starter/generator? If it's pull start and without a starter/generator, the coil is mounted as part of a magneto beneath the flywheel and it generates spark with magnets mounted to the flywheel. The condenser may be mounted underneath the flywheel with it.

No, there was nothing else mounted to the ignition coil and my tractor is an electric start. I don't see a condenser anywhere on it

[R Bedell]

NO.....not all engines utilize or use a condenser.

Kohler's Magnum series engine, is a Magneto Ignition system that has NO condenser. That is just one example.

[That_cub_dude1847]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

NO.....not all engines utilize or use a condenser.

Kohler's Magnum series engine, is a Magneto Ignition system that has NO condenser. That is just one example.

Is it possible my K161 has a magneto instead?

[That_cub_dude1847]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

NO.....not all engines utilize or use a condenser.

Kohler's Magnum series engine, is a Magneto Ignition system that has NO condenser. That is just one example.

Because my engine has contact points on it and it has electronic ignition, do points still function without a condenser?

[Cubcadet_107]

If you have electronic ignition from the battery, you do NOT have magneto ignition. Therefore, you have an external coil, and points, and therefore you need a condenser.

Modern magneto ignitions do not require a points and condenser. Older magneto ignitions do use points and condenser (mainy prevalent on old Briggs and Stratton engines). The Kohler Magnum engines are new enough to not need points and condenser. Timing is set simply by a magnet on the flywheel. This is why when a lawn mower shears a flywheel key, it disrupts the timing and won't run right.

I would put a condenser on your Original. It's in all the wiring diagrams for the cubs that used a K series Kohler, including the Original. You might do more damage to your points and coil without one.

[Billy-O]

Maybe you have a points saver from Kirk engines or something like that?

[R Bedell]

because my engine has contact points on it and it has electronic ignition

Take a picture of this system, and post it here.

[ironman]

This is a magneto from a k161 with electric start. It mounts under the flywheel, and you can see it has a condenser.
The silver disc holds the magnets and slides on the crankshaft under the flywheel also.
The heavy black wire is the sparkplug lead, the yelloish wire goes to the points.
If you have points and a coil it will prolong the life of your points to add a condenser.