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Coil replacement on 102

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:40 pm
by Jeremy Fowler
First post here, new owner of an old Seagull, please excuse if I'm breaking protocol or whatever... It seems my Villiers coil is kaput as there is an open circuit between the HV side and earth. I'm not a purist, I'm happy to have anything in there that will work. Can anyone point me in the right way to get this outboard to work? There must be replacement coils that I can gyppo to work? I need it as a functional, reliable tender propulsion unit... Cheers!

Re: Coil replacement on 102

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 8:31 am
by Journeyman
Hi Jeremy, Here is a link to Villiers Parts.
http://www.villiersparts.co.uk/ignition.html
George has had new coils made for most of the Villier Seagulls. He is very much an enthusiast and very helpful if you talk to him.
My Century Plus is now very reliable with one of his new coils.
Hope you have plenty of space for the next Seagull when you get this one going :), Dave.

Re: Coil replacement on 102

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2025 3:30 am
by Jeremy Fowler
Thanks for the input Journeyman Dave, appreciated! Yes, your "warning" about more Seagulls is timely... I'm now the proud owner of 4, and 1 actually works!
Before I go off the deep end with coil purchases I need to check all the bits and pieces. There is a condensor too, how do I test this?
Cheers!

Re: Coil replacement on 102

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:18 pm
by Journeyman
Hi Jeremy, your condenser is a capacitor there are three ways to test it.
First a capacitor stores voltage and then discharges it.
1. You can charge it up by connecting it to a 12v battery, the lead is the + positive and the case is the - negative. then if you short the lead to the case you should get a good blue spark.
Before connecting any meter discharge the capacitor first, as above.
2. Use an analog multimeter set to ohm's (use high setting) connect it positive to lead and negative to case, you will get a reading as the capacitor charges up, then the needle should drop back. keep it connected for half a minute or so to charge, then reverse the connections and you should get a reading as it discharges.
3. Use a digital multimeter with a capacitance facility, not all multimeter have this ability. It will give you a reading in microfarads. uf.
if you are lucky the capacitor will be marked with how many uf. and v volts.
A new condenser is cheap so replacement won't break the bank
Making up new ignition leads is always a good idea.
Cheers for now, Dave