So I noticed at my local auto parts store that they offer a cap and rotor that the terminals are made of brass and the of alumminum. Which one is better ??
CK5
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Cap and Rotor ??
- Thread starter dheavychevy38
- Start date
Thats what I was thinking also.
yup, marine caps are always brass....
Whats the reason for brass over aluminum? Obviously aluminum gets that white junk all over it when damp, but brass tarnishes too, right? Less of a problem? Brass physically stronger in that application as well?
I've had aluminum terminals on one cap come loose, so I don't doubt there are reasons brass is better.
I've had aluminum terminals on one cap come loose, so I don't doubt there are reasons brass is better.
I go by the "balls" theory. As long as I have a pair of them, I'd rather they were brass rather than aluminum.
in marine, it's a corrosion issue... even brass ones get hammered with boogers if ya let em go with the marine ignitions.. but the alum's turn into a real mess in very short order...
brass or cooper conducts more than aluminum with less loss of electrical power .
Salt corrodes aluminum good and quickly..if you live near the oceans or drive on salted roads,the aluminum caps terminals will get all white and crusty in no time..the brass contacts will green up after awhile but will still conduct better and a quick polish with a dremel tool wire brush will buff them up like new again..
byggyns
Registered Member
Aluminum + electric arc = Aluminum oxide
Aluminum oxide is used as the abrasive for sharpening stones and sandpaper. I don't want that down in the bushings of my distributor.
Brass all day, every day.
Aluminum oxide is used as the abrasive for sharpening stones and sandpaper. I don't want that down in the bushings of my distributor.
Brass all day, every day.
The resistance in that chunk of aluminum is nothing compared to the resistance of the arc leading to it. Even the plug wires are 100's of Ohms. The resistance through the terminal is a small fraction of an ohm. Now the crusty stuff that builds on the terminals - that has some high resistance.
