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There were discussions on here a few years ago about the EasyCap magneto condensers. I don't want to rehash all that was said, but simply ask a couple of questions. Let's assume the armature windings are megged and found good.

Do the EasyCap condensers work, and for how long?
What alternative condensers are available?

SR

There is no reason why an easy cap shouldn't work reliably.
It would be a good idea to disconnect the old capacitor (condenser is the old fashioned name for capacitor) in case it goes short circuit

I haven't actually installed one and tried it yet. So make of that what you will !

I do have a Lucas Magdyno and a K2F that are perfect subjects for trying though.
They start and run fine, but are near impossible to start once hot.
The classic symptoms of a failing ye olde condensor type.
(At the time, I simply replaced them with overhauled maggies, which then performed perfectly.)
(Always keep a spare maggie on the shelf ?)

I've seen it said that the Easycap manufacturers are yet to see an example of one that has actually failed.
Which is pretty impressive when you think about it ?
Since they don't have the foil type cap that is prone to failing from drying out, they may be able to avoid that fate ?

Alternatives ?
There are threads about which detail replacing the original cap - buried in the windings - with modern types.
This is quite involved, but is possible. And detailed instructions are available. Inc on this forum.
If the Easycaps can be simply installed, inc snipping a few wires - and potentially last forever? -,
then that sounds like a doddle in comparison ?

And hopefully you'll get replies from someone with miles under their belt.
There sure are a lot of pics and reports about of them ...

It is detailed in the install instructions that this has to be done....

I don't know much about magnetos, but if they are simple instruments, they do have a few failure modes. Slip rings contaminated or cracking, windings breaking down, brush wear, brush holders cracking and so on. Many of the more knowledgeable people I know claim that after the war windings became better insulated and may well be functional even today. Condensers (capacitors) is a different story, they do disintegrate with time, with degrading capacitance until they short out, or on occasion go open circuit. The manufacturer strongly recommend removing it.
Assuming that all the other possible failure modes are taken care of, I would think a modern capacitor like the EasyCap would be a great solution.

It would be nice if someone with actual experience would chime in, there must be a few out there.

SR

I think we can take their reliability and performance as a given ?
If they didn't work, someone would have noticed by now !!

http://brightsparkmagnetos.com/easycap/

Quite so, it would be all over the forum wouldn't it?
I have 4 K2Fs and a BTH. The latter is probably beyond repair but one of my K2F seems to have been overhauled some time, and seen little use after that. I'm going to use it as is, but then others are candidates for repair.

SR

Hi Stein,
I plan to visit my parts supplier Tim Bardsley next week, he has part of his shop full of old electric machinery and I learned he used to repair magnetos and dynamos back in the day. I also learned from one of my friends rebuilding old BSA singles Tim repairs magnetos changing inside condensers for a very reasonable price. I can ask him if he would be interested in repairing your magnetos. I personally could see my friend's motorcycles working flawlessly and he has like forty of them.

I don't know about the magneto skills, but I like that garage setup !!

Even if there are no girder forks or dohc/4 valves (visible).
Not many numberplates we notice either.
I said however, a long time ago, you can only ride one at a time.

Brightspark themselves point out that their Easycaps are only useful replacements for caps that are ailing/ failing.
All other mechanical woes and bad wiring can only be sorted by a'fixin ....

Very nice of you Adam, thanks for the kind offer! However, magneto repairs are available over here as well, at a price. I'm fully prepared to have them refurbished by one of them, if I need to, expensive though it may be. Being a DIY kind of guy I'd like to do as much as I can myself, but I realize it may not happen. Too many distractions, I have a house that needs painting and repairs, along with a big garden, spring is a busy time.

SR

Thorspark
I have a Lucas KF1 ( i think) for my '61 Velo. I decided to buy the Thorspark. Easy to install, no need to remove the old condensor. It is a complete ignition. It does require a battery. The price is much cheaper than a rebuild on a magneto. I had to insulate the base because the unit shorted out when first installed. I placed a circle of gasket material under the assembly and it solved the problem. So far a year later and many starts it works well.

Tony told me Happy to hear a good review! A friend has the good same experience with an A10, several seasons, no issues. It was fitted by the previous owner who got tired of spending good money on a magneto overhaul just to have it break down again within a season. It uses so little power that it doesn't affect battery charging in the least. 1/4 A according to the Thorspark website.

SR