Electronic Ignition?

Jeff65 · 08-13-2002, 02:14 PM

There are two different genre of electronic ignitions:

1. Electronic Points
2. Capacitive Discharge Ignition System.

The first category include Pertronix, Mallory Unilite and several others. The CD category includes MSD, Mallory HyFire, Crane, Duraspark, and others.

The first category only serves to replace the points with an electronic trigger module. What this does is to eliminate the points, reduce the tune up to cap, rotor, plugs and wire - much less frequent replacements (50,000 miles instead of 5,000 miles).
This category can be used as a trigger source for the second category. Cost ranges from $70 to $200.

The second category serves to revise how the coil works to produce a spark. Included in the electronics module is an inverter to convert 12 volts to 300 volts, a tachometer circuit to monitor engine rpm, and an energy storage capacitor that provides a place to keep 300 volts until it is needed. When a trigger arrives from the Unilite or Pertronix module, the circuitry in the module directs 300 volts into the coil thereby producing a very hot spark. This spark can easily jump ten times the distance of a conventional ignition system. The rpm circuitry can also be used to cause multiple sparks per engine cycle or continuous sparking for up to 20 degrees or more of crankshaft rotation. What does this buy for the owner? With higher spark output there's no concern the plugs will misfire. With multiple spark or continuous sparking the fuel is spent more efficiently and this translates into small improvements in fuel mileage and in horsepower. Cost $250-$500 and requires a electronic distributor to fire it.

What else? With a CD ignition you usually need to use an electronic ignition coil. With non-CD ignition you usually need to use a conventional coil. With CD ignition you must use high voltage caps, rotors and wires.

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08-13-2002, 02:14 PM	#1
Jeff65 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 208	There are two different genre of electronic ignitions: 1. Electronic Points 2. Capacitive Discharge Ignition System. The first category include Pertronix, Mallory Unilite and several others. The CD category includes MSD, Mallory HyFire, Crane, Duraspark, and others. The first category only serves to replace the points with an electronic trigger module. What this does is to eliminate the points, reduce the tune up to cap, rotor, plugs and wire - much less frequent replacements (50,000 miles instead of 5,000 miles). This category can be used as a trigger source for the second category. Cost ranges from $70 to $200. The second category serves to revise how the coil works to produce a spark. Included in the electronics module is an inverter to convert 12 volts to 300 volts, a tachometer circuit to monitor engine rpm, and an energy storage capacitor that provides a place to keep 300 volts until it is needed. When a trigger arrives from the Unilite or Pertronix module, the circuitry in the module directs 300 volts into the coil thereby producing a very hot spark. This spark can easily jump ten times the distance of a conventional ignition system. The rpm circuitry can also be used to cause multiple sparks per engine cycle or continuous sparking for up to 20 degrees or more of crankshaft rotation. What does this buy for the owner? With higher spark output there's no concern the plugs will misfire. With multiple spark or continuous sparking the fuel is spent more efficiently and this translates into small improvements in fuel mileage and in horsepower. Cost $250-$500 and requires a electronic distributor to fire it. What else? With a CD ignition you usually need to use an electronic ignition coil. With non-CD ignition you usually need to use a conventional coil. With CD ignition you must use high voltage caps, rotors and wires.