Triggering DSII with a pertronix module?
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Triggering DSII with a pertronix module?
I was wondering if anyone had tried using the pertronix points eliminator as a DSII trigger. I'm looking to go with electronic ignition on a motor that never got duraspark, and if the pertronix module will trigger the duraspark, i should be able to go electronic ignition for about $100 and still be able to use the stock distributor body without having all kinds of machine work done to swap DS guts into a points distributor.
DSII and Pertronix are both hall effect pickups, so is there any reason the pertronix wouldn't fire? Someone suggested to me that the internal resistances of the units may vary and cause an issue, but i'm thinking so long as the magnetic signal is produced, it should set off the DS module.
What does everyone think?
Justin
DSII and Pertronix are both hall effect pickups, so is there any reason the pertronix wouldn't fire? Someone suggested to me that the internal resistances of the units may vary and cause an issue, but i'm thinking so long as the magnetic signal is produced, it should set off the DS module.
What does everyone think?
Justin
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I could do a 6a triggered by points, but i'm looking to get rid of points and no duraspark is a direct replacement. Besides, once i get a 6a and a high output coil i'm at double what it'd cost to do a pertronix/DSII hybrid.
I'm not doing anything that'll require the use of a MSD unit, i'm just looking to get rid of my points and be able to open my plug gap up to about 50 from the 25 it's at right now.
Justin
I'm not doing anything that'll require the use of a MSD unit, i'm just looking to get rid of my points and be able to open my plug gap up to about 50 from the 25 it's at right now.
Justin
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An MSD 6A will work with a stock Duraspark II distributor and the stock coil. Those 3 parts are all you need! The 6A is an excellent street ignition and you can open your plug gap to .060.
Last edited by F-250 highboy; Apr 4, 2006 at 12:58 PM.
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If you increase the plug gap it will increase your plug firing voltage which will increase the stress on the coil/wires /rotor/cap/etc in your ignition system leading to breakdowns elsewhere in the system. Keep your gap no more than the factory recommended maximum. Once a part has arced over it leaves a carbon track that will arc over again. The carbon track is burned into the component and can not be removed. This ruins that component.
The DS distributor has a larger diameter to increase the standoff voltage over that found in a points distributor. Using a points distributor for an electronic ignition can result in breakdowns and misfires due to the increased voltage.
The DS distributor has a larger diameter to increase the standoff voltage over that found in a points distributor. Using a points distributor for an electronic ignition can result in breakdowns and misfires due to the increased voltage.
Last edited by Torque1st; Apr 4, 2006 at 02:10 PM.
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Originally Posted by F-250 highboy
An MSD 6A will work with a stock Duraspark II distributor and the stock coil. Those 3 parts are all you need! The 6A is an excellent street ignition and you can open your plug gap to .060.
this is also going to be for a daily driver where servicability/reliability will be of utmost importance. I know the MSD unit is super reliable and has proven itself, as has DSII. But I can replace the DSII module for $20 at any parts house. For MSD if something goes wrong I have to find a place that has one and then shell out another $200.
And as for the issue of using the points cap and all that, I can get a cap and rotor that will fit my distributor that was designed to work with high voltage electronic ignitions, as well as better plugs and wires.
I've already worked everything out, all i need to know is if a pertronix module will trigger DSII.
Justin
Last edited by hoxiii; Apr 4, 2006 at 02:44 PM.
i ain't rite
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why would you want to do that?? just put a pertrinix ignitor I unit in it and forget about it. the whole reason for the pertronix is that you do not need anything else. just the unit, and widen the plug gap to .045, and you are done.
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It eliminates the points, but it doesn't create the "hotter" spark, that's a function of the rest of teh system. That's why i want to use duraspark, to get an easy, powerful, cheap, and maintenance free ignition system.
Justin
Justin
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The pertronix module will not fire a duraspark box. The original pickup in the duraspark II dist produces a low voltage ac signal which the duraspark II box uses to fire the coil.
The pertronix unit has a high output on-off signal to drive a coil directly, so it's the wrong signal for a duraspark box.
If you have an oddball engine/dist set-up, then the pertronix is going to be your cheapest best choice, and use it to drive the coil directly. I am curious as to what engine you are using?
As far as the sparkplug gaps, I would not go too wild. You may be able to find out what gap the pertronix unit will support reliably. I believe most of the electronic systems of the late 70's -late 80's had a factory gap of about .045. They will certainly fire a wider gap, but then reliabililty becomes a factor, and you have to change the plugs a lot more often. Always keep in mind what the factory specs were, since they juggle reliabililty vs performance under a lot of testing in different environments and conditions.
The pertronix unit has a high output on-off signal to drive a coil directly, so it's the wrong signal for a duraspark box.
If you have an oddball engine/dist set-up, then the pertronix is going to be your cheapest best choice, and use it to drive the coil directly. I am curious as to what engine you are using?
As far as the sparkplug gaps, I would not go too wild. You may be able to find out what gap the pertronix unit will support reliably. I believe most of the electronic systems of the late 70's -late 80's had a factory gap of about .045. They will certainly fire a wider gap, but then reliabililty becomes a factor, and you have to change the plugs a lot more often. Always keep in mind what the factory specs were, since they juggle reliabililty vs performance under a lot of testing in different environments and conditions.
i ain't rite
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if you want a hotter spark, just use the pertronix ignitor I with a hotter coil.
i use this setup on everything i have set up except for the john deere tractors and have had no problems in over 25 years of using them
i use this setup on everything i have set up except for the john deere tractors and have had no problems in over 25 years of using them
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