I wrote:
>way.  The Navy manual undoubtedly represented a capacitor as similar
>to a spring, but it's really more like a rigid container into which
>electrons can be crowded under pressure.

Or as a practical device, a rigid container with an opening at each
end and an elastic membrane in the middle.

Capacitance in general doesn't have much to do in DC circuits, which
is what I'm talking about for now and maybe forever.  Mr. Rocket J.
Horrible-Person wants me to talk about another curious electrical
property called inductance -- I have no idea why he hates me
so...<moi?>  It also is primarily of interest in AC circuits.  But if
we ever get as far as relays we'll have to say at least something
about it, because of an interesting effect called "inductive kick"
that can...um...bite you.  And the ignition system depends rather
heavily upon it.  No promises -- all I'm really devoted to at this
point is showing you how to actually *find* where an electrical fault
is, instead of guessing.

d
ps -- ISTM I wrote some description of how a Kettering ignition works
some years ago on this list.  If you're interested, try searching for
from me, containing Kettering.  If it turns out it was on the
Atomic-Four list...hmmm, quite likely it was.  Belay the search.

  --
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'89 Po' White Star "Scamp"