Topic: Transistorized ignition, points style. First ones are ready!

[750goes]

Yahoo and Yippee.........

Is it easier to send them to Terry In Australia for us antipodean brethren...then get Terry to post them on - it may help us all save a few dollars on Postage....

thank you Hondaman

[cben750f0]

sorry for being ignorant, but are these only for points ignition?, or can they be used for DYNA electronic, or have i missed the point completely..

peace

[Jonesy]

Mark's setup uses the existing points, but converts them to low-voltage switches so you don't get the arcing, pitting, etc. Transistors handle the high switching loads, saving the points.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I essence, they act as relays.  But being solid state, they trigger much quicker then a mechanical relay ever could.

[hcritz]

Hey Mark...and guys...
I'm putting miles one almost everday...bike runs great with the new box!  There is a definite improvement especially at idle and low speed...not really any change at high speed that I can tell, bike ran pretty well bone stock really. If I get the chance, I'll run her up to redline a few times this afternoon and see how that works.
I have TEC points in the bike...as well as the timing plate...good possibility that they may be the original points???
Showing 17,000 miles now. When I got the bike last year it had just over 10,000 and from what I could tell...may have never had any maint. done. No marks on the valve caps or tensioner bolts. Screws on the points look unmolested as well.
I've dressed them once and set the gaps, timing and oiled the felt pad for the points cam...that's about it.

[cosmo]

Whats going to be the best dyna coils to go with the capable units?

[cben750f0]

thanks guys, sounds like a great way of saving your, points, and getting heaps better reliability out of the set up also.... well done hondaman...

peace

[Magpie]

Hondaman,
How do we get on the waiting list?
Cliff.

[HondaMan]

Whats going to be the best dyna coils to go with the capable units?

It will handle Dyna coils down to 3 ohms. Or anyone else's coil, for that matter, if it is less than 5 amps current draw. I think the old Accel bike coils were 3 ohms, also. Someone said that Dyna also makes 5 ohm coils (I haven't seen these) which would also be OK.

From the testing we've been doing, it appears that Dyna coils make more spark voltage below 5500 RPM than Honda's, but they are about the same above that. Honda's coils are surprisingly efficient, compared to the Dyna coils. If you have plug fouling problems in city driving, the Dynas would likely help fix that.

The "green" Dyna coils make about 16,000 volts max at low RPM. The Honda coils make about 8,000 volts through the whole range.

[HondaMan]

Hondaman,
How do we get on the waiting list?
Cliff.

Cliff;
send me a PM with your name, shipping address, and which type (Honda coils or Dyna) you want. This first batch is coming in Honda coil type or Dyna coil type. The Dyna ones will also run the Honda coils, but cost a few bucks more.

There are some upgrade models coming for the "wealthier rider", like Terry, who wants a 3-position switch to swap between points, transistors or DEAD (to prevent theft). Since these are easily hidden, it seems like a good idea.

I will also offer them in bright anodized colors in about June or so. They will come in BLUE, GOLD, GREEN, RED, BLACK or shiny SILVER, and these fancy cases will add about $10 to the price tag for those riders who want to show it off. There's a pix in one of these posts where I'm showing Terry's GOLD unit, next to my BLUE one. Terry's will be bigger, to house the fancy switch.

After Hcritz and Terry finish their testing, the Dyna units can come out. Terry is using Dyna, and I specially-built one for Hcritz that runs extra hot, like a Dyna would do, for accelerated testing purposes. They are testing the last of the experimental units.

ALL of these will have the 5-year warranty.   

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Hondaman,

Please draw the line with Terry if he starts requesting one with a sheep calling device built in     

[Terry in Australia]

Hondaman,

Please draw the line with Terry if he starts requesting one with a sheep calling device built in     

Hmmmnnn, the possibilities!

[hcritz]

Grin...haven't noticed any change with the livestock...but the box sure does make my bike run better!
Carried it out yesterday and did a few redline run-ups...the bike runs MUCH stronger all the way up...
Not sure why...I know that with the stock coils I shouldn't be getting much hotter spark...and the bike ran well before...no missing or anything like that. But it sure runs more solid now...got a big grin from me! I do like to go fast every now and then.
Thanks Mark!!!

[HondaMan]

Grin...haven't noticed any change with the livestock...but the box sure does make my bike run better!
Carried it out yesterday and did a few redline run-ups...the bike runs MUCH stronger all the way up...
Not sure why...I know that with the stock coils I shouldn't be getting much hotter spark...and the bike ran well before...no missing or anything like that. But it sure runs more solid now...got a big grin from me! I do like to go fast every now and then.
Thanks Mark!!!

The main difference with a transistor doing the switching is: better consistency. With points, they have mechanical idiosyncracies (sometimes called "harmonics" or "resonance") at different RPMs. This can lead to the spark timing shifting slightly at different times. Now, it can be more consistent. And, there is no "settling time" upon closure with transistors, which is the points bouncing a little at closing and the condensor charging up as the coil saturates, so the coil gets a longer dwell charge. It's just a "cleaner" spark, and a little more consistent.

I like the way it makes mine idle better in heavy traffic. 

[HondaMan]

Hmmm...this might get posted twice, because I was typing and it suddenly vanished! 

I have the first units coming out of testing now. Each one gets 1 hour of run testing on my bench after assembly.
These units are for use with Honda (or Kawasaki) coils, not Dyna 3-ohm coils. I've heard Dyna makes 5-ohm coils: they would be OK, too. Don't use these with the Dyna 3-ohm coils: I will have those units coming out shortly.

The first 10 "sign-ups" I have, in order, are:

1. Kghost (TX)
2. JayB (SD)
3. ScottB (sorry, don't know your SOHC4 name, Scott (OR))
4. SteveK0 (down under)
5. 750goes (also down under)
6. Dusterdude (VA)
7. Patrick (TX)
8. Jaknight (AZ)
9. Dennis (NJ)
10. BrianJ (over the Pond)

Contact me if you have stock-style coils, and let me know if you're waiting for a Dyna-compatible unit instead, so I can pass these to the others who are waiting. There's 40 signed up so far.

These units cost $61 (US), and come with a 5-year unconditional warranty. Here's the warranty terms:
If it breaks, send it to me, and I will fix or replace it and send it back, no charge. You pay the postage to me, I'll pay postage back to you.
If you open the case, the warranty expires instantly, like magic. The case is sealed.
If you copy the circuit, I (and my lawyer, also my best friend) will sue you.
Very simple.   
I'll include a copy of this with the unit, and you must send me back your "registration".
(Let's see someone beat that one!)

I almost forgot: if you're in the U.S., add $4.50 for shipping. If it's less than that, I'll send back the overrage when I ship to you. That makes it simpler for everyone.

[750goes]

thanks Hondaman,

How do I send the money to you, and what will I owe you for the shipping as well

[HondaMan]

thanks Hondaman,

How do I send the money to you, and what will I owe you for the shipping as well

Are you close to Terry and SteveK0?

[Terry in Australia]

thanks Hondaman,

How do I send the money to you, and what will I owe you for the shipping as well

Are you close to Terry and SteveK0?

Well, not in the biblical sense Mark, ha ha! Steve K0 and I both live in Melbourne and Charlie lives in Sydney, but if you want to send them all to me I'm happy to distribute them.

[750goes]

That works for me.......just let me have your payment details - send by PM or let me know the damage... thanks Terry, will send my details to you when you get them....thanks H man.

I have standard honda coils and points.

[HondaMan]

That works for me.......just let me have your payment details - send by PM or let me know the damage... thanks Terry, will send my details to you when you get them....thanks H man.
I have standard honda coils and points.

Thanks, that's important.
Terry: if you see SteveK0, let him know too, so we can put this order into a lower-postage box.
750goes: I'll let you guys know what that postage will be when we get it all together.

[hcritz]

Hey Mark...
A bit over 1000 miles on the box...still running like a champ!
Weather is really nice right now...so putting a good many miles on.
Hope all is good there!

[HondaMan]

Hey Mark...
A bit over 1000 miles on the box...still running like a champ!
Weather is really nice right now...so putting a good many miles on.
Hope all is good there!

Super, Mr. H!
I've got one going together to replace that test unit when you reach the 40 hours. I imagine you're somewhere around 20 hours now. When we get to the end of the test, let me know and I'll send you this one, then you can send that one back. Keep the bracket, so you can mount it the same way again. The new one will run cooler, though.

[hcritz]

Hey Mark...
Should have checked the temp of the box after the B'ham ride...made it non-stop back home last sunday...about 3.5 hours, pretty steady 70-75. Around town running it really doesn't seem too bad hot externally...not sure what's going on inside though.
Weather is great for riding...so I'm doing most of my day to day commute and running around on the bike.

[hcritz]

OH...by the way...took some short videos with my digital camera at the races...picts are a bit grainy...but the sound track is awesome...Want me to seed you a couple???

[HondaMan]

Hey Mark...
Should have checked the temp of the box after the B'ham ride...made it non-stop back home last sunday...about 3.5 hours, pretty steady 70-75. Around town running it really doesn't seem too bad hot externally...not sure what's going on inside though.
Weather is great for riding...so I'm doing most of my day to day commute and running around on the bike.

I would expect that unit to be just a little hotter than you might want to rest your hand on, like a roof on a sunny day. And, idle is the hottest time: the faster you go, the cooler it runs. I like where you have it, though, because there isn't much airflow under the seat, so it's a super place to test. 

I'd like to see those videos, but you'll probably find my mailbox will only take one, maybe two. Thanks! I haven't been to a GP-class race in a long time.