Electronic ignition recommendations

[sulzerman]

Hi All

Can anyone recommend a good reliable electronic system that works well and lasts. The last one I fitted was a Pertronics which left me stranded waiting for the AA man. It was less than 2 years old.

Tried two Accusparks which caused a misfire.

Currently running with points and condensor, which seem ok. Should I stick with this?

Its for a 2500 saloon with twin SU HS6s and Lucas 45D dissy

Any recommendations or experiences?

many thanks

[Pete Lewis]

ive used aldon and lumenition  for years no problems

you didnt have a ballasted coil 1.5ohm  that was bypassed with 12v  this overloads  points condensers and has been known to cook lecy units  as you are doubling the current 

Pete

[sulzerman]

Hi Pete yes it is a 6 volt coil

[Pete Lewis]

still with 6v or been bypassed to a 12v feed ???

Pete

[sulzerman]

Yes, not been modified

[johny]

I believe the two types you have tried so far are mounted inside the dizzy and this design is probably more prone to failure because of their smaller size and exposure to heat/vibration. Therefore you might be best going for something like the Sparkrite SX4000 that uses your original points but only to trigger the electronics in a remotely mounted box. Maybe someone has some experience with these....

[AndyTV8]

My personal experience is the Pertronix (Aldon) Igniter has never failed on me.

I have used Powerspark - the module didn’t fail, however one of the connections to the coil worked loose leaving me 15 mins late for work. I just swapped the module with wiring for the spare one I carried in the glovebox (bought as a spare because it was so cheap).

I have had Lumentition Optronic fail twice on two different cars - each was replaced with an Igniter per my first comment.

I have recently swapped out a perfectly good Powerspark-equipped 25D4 dissy for a 123Ignition Tune+  In my TR4.... it  is running well, been wanting to do it for a while, but I have no view yet on its longevity but do have high hopes  

....... Andy 

[Chris A]

Accuspark in my 13/60 since 2015 nothing to say against it.

[johny]

yes as Paul has suffered so many failures with those units thought he might appreciate the switch on the SX4000 that allows the points to work on their own in case electronics die on him again☺️

[Mathew]

1 hour ago, johny said:

I believe the two types you have tried so far are mounted inside the dizzy and this design is probably more prone to failure because of their smaller size and exposure to heat/vibration. Therefore you might be best going for something like the Sparkrite SX4000 that uses your original points but only to trigger the electronics in a remotely mounted box. Maybe someone has some experience with these....

Yes, broke down and went back to points, then to the aldon and had no problems. I just got the accuspark for my 2500s, the whole distributor. Very impressed so far.

[Pete Lewis]

10 hours ago, sulzerman said:

Yes, not been modified

there by can be another problem  most leccy units have a operating voltage range   from the past aldon was 6 to 18 v

with a ballasted feed and a low battery state you can drop the ignition feed below the base operating voltage and the things miss fire or stop altogether 

hence why many link a 12v bypass to the unit or change the whole to 3 ohm coil and 12v base voltage 

worse with a dynamo where the idling charge voltage is quite low , or the battery is low to start with and the car just wont start up

Pete

[dougbgt6]

I have an Aldon ignitor (AKA Pertronix) which at the time I bought it was regarded as the market leader, I've never heard of one go wrong. Although I did accidentally pull a wire of mine dragging my cylinder head out the engine, I had to get a spare sensor from the USA supplier. There was a lot of head scratching as to which was the right part, they make dozens of units not just for different cars but ballasted and non ballasted systems. 

But an Aldon die and two Accusparks misbehave?  I suspect there's something else wrong along the lines Pete is suggesting.

Doug

[johny]

I think the power supply, certainly for the Accuspark/Powerspark units, must be taken direct from 12v and not the ballasted supply. Might be a common mistake because in a non ballasted system you just connect the red wire to the +ve side of the coil....

[dougbgt6]

12 minutes ago, johny said:

I think the power supply, certainly for the Accuspark/Powerspark units, must be taken direct from 12v and not the ballasted supply. Might be a common mistake because in a non ballasted system you just connect the red wire to the +ve side of the coil....

So why is there an Aldon Ignitor for the ballasted system and another for the non-ballasted system?

Doug 

[Badwolf]

Sparkrite SX4000 - I have had quite a collection of them 4 in total (I think), all faulty. For a look inside one ......

https://forum.tssc.org.uk/topic/2623-carbfuel-problems-next-nose-to-tail-1972-spitfire-mkiv-restoration-upgrades/page/33/

I have been running on a Sparkrite SX1000 for many years until I started getting a misfire and switched back to conventional. I wish that I had the knowledge to repair it. It's probably old school electronics with valves and stuff inside but beyond me. I am looking for a working unit on fleabay but generally they only come up as sold as seen or for repair. That's why I was looking at the SX4000 but not impressed with them.

 

 

 

 

[johny]

3 hours ago, dougbgt6 said:

So why is there an Aldon Ignitor for the ballasted system and another for the non-ballasted system?

Doug 

Not sure with Aldon but as I say Powerspark/Accuspark must have a 12v power supply...

[johny]

2 hours ago, Badwolf said:

Sparkrite SX4000 - I have had quite a collection of them 4 in total (I think), all faulty. For a look inside one ......

https://forum.tssc.org.uk/topic/2623-carbfuel-problems-next-nose-to-tail-1972-spitfire-mkiv-restoration-upgrades/page/33/

I have been running on a Sparkrite SX1000 for many years until I started getting a misfire and switched back to conventional. I wish that I had the knowledge to repair it. It's probably old school electronics with valves and stuff inside but beyond me. I am looking for a working unit on fleabay but generally they only come up as sold as seen or for repair. That's why I was looking at the SX4000 but not impressed with them.

oh well bang goes my theory! Have you mentioned it to them?

[Badwolf]

Johny - Sorry about but thought that it might help you. No I didn't bother.