Gallery, Projects and General > Project Logs
Webster IC Engine build log.
dbvandy:
The light has an inductive pickup that goes over the spark plug lead and senses when 25000 volts are traveling through the plug wire and fires the strobe light. This tells you a few things: the most important is that the plug is firing and the second is exactly when it is firing so you can adjust it. Some times a coil can be weak and not have enough power to fire the plug under compression. The light lets you know what is happening under actual engine conditions and not out in atmospheric conditions.
--- Quote from: lordedmond on May 09, 2011, 10:38:59 AM ---Chris you say you can hear the spark ,is it in the right place inside the cylinder or is if outside , i.e. plug cap shorting
I would, although I may be wrong but I would have though you would not be able to here the spark if its the plug firing in the cylinder
a short note but I will leave it to Doug but a timing light will tell you when to plug is firing , but its it is not the plug that is firing but a stray spark it will sill tell you its firing
Stuart
--- End quote ---
Good point about an external spark, but I think this would only happen if there is a short in the module or wire. You should not be able to hear a spark with the plug installed, but should here a sharp crack with it out. A bad ground would cause an external spark as well and lessen the good spark in the cylinder.
You can assume that the module is working correctly if you have a STRONG blue spark from the plug when it is out (like you did in the video) and it keeps going for 100-200 times. This test will eliminate the battery issue. You can time it by eye with the plug out by rocking the flywheel back and forth and seeing where it fires in relation to the position of the connecting rod.
The timing light is not mandatory, you can put it on the list of tools to get at some point.... it will not go to waste.
As for the wife... Some flowers and a card on the way home to tell her how much you love her. You can also tell her the motor is what keeps you sane in today's insane world and is cheaper than heroin and not nearly as messy socially :med: :whip:
Bluechip:
You could hack this thing together. Costs virtually nothing if you have a bit of Vero-board or similar.
You can see if the plug is sparking, the gap is in series with it.
It's also possible to solder a 90V wire ended neon across the gap.
Like this if Rapid actually had the things in stock. :scratch: again .... if you took the words 'Back Order' from their vocabulary, they'd be speechless ..
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Optoelectronics/Indicators/Wire-ended-neon/29275/kw/neon
No need for the series resistor.
Dave BC
Rob.Wilson:
Hi Chris
Try these http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/car-service-tools/car-electric-testers/showitem-8042-56495.aspx ,, put one between plug and HT lead ,, rotate crank and it will flash
when the ignition fires ,,, you can also leave it on when running ,,,,,,,,, if the light stops flashing when the engine is running ,you no its an ignition fault .
You can fined em in most car accessory /parts shops
Rob
or http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/car-service-tools/car-electric-testers/showitem-5618-38898.aspx
dbvandy:
question... did you assemble the plug boot with the little wire spring that goes around the tip of the spark plug?
raynerd:
Hi Guys, just come up from the workshop and had some success, I post at the end but to answer some questions and make some comments....
--- Quote from: dbvandy on May 09, 2011, 12:20:07 PM ---question... did you assemble the plug boot with the little wire spring that goes around the tip of the spark plug?
--- End quote ---
The "plug boot" was already attached to the ignition box (and wire) when it arrived and so yes it does have the wire spring that goes around the tip and also it has the C clip which tightens the casing of the plug cap onto the plug nut outer casing for the ground. The ignition system does come with the other large plug cap in a packet so the current cm-6 would need to be removed.
Bluechip and Rob - I`m going to go for one of those even when it is setup. I think it`ll look pretty cool and it`ll show if there is a fault with the ignition system.
--- Quote from: lordedmond on May 09, 2011, 10:38:59 AM ---Chris you say you can hear the spark ,is it in the right place inside the cylinder or is if outside , i.e. plug cap shorting
--- End quote ---
I`ve just had a listen and both Doug and Stuart you mention that I shouldn`t hear the spark. I can 100% hear the spark but it is a dull click that seems to come from inside the cylinder not outside. I turned all the lights off and couldn`t see anything around the case just the spark at the tip.
Anyway, finally something to show you. :dremel: I just think it is still far too temperamental! There seems little consistency, you think it needs a richer mixture and it cuts out. Then you try a leaner mixture, it cuts out. Then for example, in the video below, I tried starting up after the last attempt and it was just dead! I hope that makes sense...I don`t feel as though I can find "best" settings because there seems now pattern of how to get there.
Well, I`m getting somewhere..... at least enough for a video this time. You guys know infinately more than me, does the video indicate any obvious issues as to why it is stopping so suddenly.
:ddb: :ddb:
I just want to thank everyone for their continued posts in helping me get this running. I know I ask a lot of questions and can be a bit of a pita but I can assure you I put in the same efforts in my time in the workshop!
Chris
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