essex ignition system

[plasticpig72]

On my 3000S it has a Piranha Electronic Ignition system which to my knowledge was fitted many years ago. The Engine sometimes doesn't run as smooth and as clean as i would like.
I think i will fit Points/Condenser to see if that changes things.
On my 3000M it's running on Points/Condenser and runs perfect 100%.
At least with the Essex V6 it's very easy to change the Points/Condenser in a few minutes.

So what are you boys running with Points/Condenser or Hall Effect or Electronic System.
Alan

[Penelope Stopit]

Replacing electronic ignition with points and condenser is a downgrade, perhaps a more modern electronic ignition will prove worthwhile

[plasticpig72]

+1
for sure to replace Electronic with Points/Condenser is a backward step.
I just thought to fit Points/Condenser to see if the Engine runs smoother. It will only take a few minutes and i will then know if the problem is the Piranha System or not.
I have been running a Hall Effect on my Lotus Elan Sprint and i'm very pleased with it.
Alan

[Penelope Stopit]

plasticpig72 said:

+1
for sure to replace Electronic with Points/Condenser is a backward step.
I just thought to fit Points/Condenser to see if the Engine runs smoother. It will only take a few minutes and i will then know if the problem is the Piranha System or not.
I have been running a Hall Effect on my Lotus Elan Sprint and i'm very pleased with it.
Alan

Good idea, fit the points and condenser and test, this should prove something

[Rocket 88]

Hi Alan,
I have a Taimar Turbo which I have owned for 37 years, it still has the original Piranha ignition and I have never had any problems although the car is very low mileage. I also have a 3000s which has the Lumenition performance optronic system model CEK 150 which woks perfectly. If you buy one of these, make sure you also fit the matched coil as the standard coil will eventually destroy the system as I found out and had to buy another one. Have a look at this website and read the technical bulletins found under Product Information. http://autocar-electrical.co.uk/lumenition

[plasticpig72]

Hi rocket,
With the Piranha it's running NO Ballast 12volt Bosch blue Coil 3 ohms. Would that seem correct
Alan

[Penelope Stopit]

The coil you are using is correct for a circuit with no ballast resistor

[anonymous-user]

Could you have carb problems?

[anonymous-user]

Penelope Stopit said:

The coil you are using is correct for a circuit with no ballast resistor

But is it the correct coil to run with the Piranha ignition?

[Penelope Stopit]

TVRMs said:

Penelope Stopit said:

The coil you are using is correct for a circuit with no ballast resistor

But is it the correct coil to run with the Piranha ignition?

Yes it is. A ballast resistor circuit coil incorrectly fitted in a standard circuit would draw something in the region of 8 amps and burn the ignition amplifier out

It can be calculated that a unballasted ignition coil circuit will draw a current of approximately 4 Amps and that a ballast resistor circuit will draw approximately 4 Amps and that its current draw will increase due to approximate battery cranking voltage being supplied directly to the coil when cranking, during cranking the ignition circuit supply could drop to approximately 9.5 to 10 volts which calculates to ....say.....10 Volts = 6.667 Amps x 1.5 Ohms

The current being drawn through a ballast resistor circuit during cranking is approximately 6.667 Amps

Copy and paste below from Google

Our Ballast Resistor is designed to be used in conjunction with our available External Resisted Ignitions Coils. External Resisted Ignition Coils have an internal resistance of 1.5 Ohms and when combined with the Ballast Resistor you get a total resistance of 3.0 Ohms which is necessary for 12 Volt ignitions systems

Edited by Penelope Stopit on Thursday 3rd January 20:46

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for that.

[anonymous-user]

An option?

https://simonbbc.com/powerspark-bosch-electronic-d...
lblP0xfkL8BJUYONz0kh4eirIEZeM_gjhdAu9as5Ngu1sJfAQbns

[Penelope Stopit]

TVRMs said:

An option?

https://simonbbc.com/powerspark-bosch-electronic-d...
lblP0xfkL8BJUYONz0kh4eirIEZeM_gjhdAu9as5Ngu1sJfAQbns

That's a bargain

I don't understand why the page has the following comment "To be used with a Standard or Sports ignition coil, resistance reading less than 1.4ohm"

This company is not taking any chances, this page https://www.hella.com/techworld/us/Technical/Car-e...
shows "The ohmic resistance of the coil is around 0.2–3.0 Ω on the primary side"

I mean "come on, what is it then, 0.2 Ohms or 3 Ohms, you know there is a touch of a difference between these figures. please...."???
Talk about confusing

TVRMs I think that the comment "To be used with a Standard or Sports ignition coil, resistance reading less than 1.4ohm" on this page https://simonbbc.com/powerspark-bosch-electronic-d... is refering to the physical shape of the coil where it mentions standard, then it continues by stating that the electronic ignition can handle coils with a resistance of 1.4 Ohms or less and this means that it can handle a constant current (***Not Cranking Voltage/Current Draw***) of approximately 10 Amps, (Battery voltage when charging 14 Volts = 10 Amps x 1.4 Ohms) yet the cables exiting the distributor look the size of cables with a constant current rating of 8/8.5 Amps

The above is calculated for a circuit that uses a 1.4 Ohms coil, the webpage mentioning 1.4 Ohms or less is as good as stating that if a 1 Ohm coil is used their ignition unit can handle 14 Amps???????????????????

There is surely something wrong with the information in that Powerspark webpage

If anyone is considering purchasing one of the above Powerspark distributors, I suggest a natter over the phone and the obtaining of the correct information by email

The mind boggles