Topic: Spark plug testers? Any good

[Prospect]

I was thinking of getting one of these for testing purposes. Wondering if anyone has used them? Are all models about the same?

https://a.co/d/3ZLuo0G

[Deltarider]

I don't see how it can test your coils. Plugs in it are not been tested in compression condition. To simulate such condition, you can test your coils to see if they can bridge 7mm as shown in the Honda Shop Manual. My pic below shows how you can test our dual output coils. 
Final verdict: Country of origin ‏ : ‎ China. The west is flooded by such products to satisfy our addiction of buying stuff, no matter what. There's a lot you can sell with the mysteries of electricketry and magnetism...
For many, buying stuff is some sort of an antidepressant.
The price of that thingie equals the cost of a dozen of new sparkplugs...

[Prospect]

You're right about the west and buying things as an antidepressant.

I have found that even new spark plugs can fail right out of the box. I think this device allows you to simulate an increase in rpm and see if the spark plug fires accordingly.  Can a spark plug show a good spark at idle and fail at high rpm? I don't know.

[BenelliSEI]

Ihave seen plugs that work when tested in the traditional way (lay them on a grounded surface and crank away) work, but fail in actual use. Is that because of the increased RPM air combustion chamber pressure? No idea…..

Having said that, for the price of that unit, I’d be tempted to order. Assuming it works, could we watch a plug firing at high speed and observe the consistency? Compare it to a new one? Might be useful.

[Deltarider]

This is how I simulate increased RPM. All it takes is a wire connected to the tiny bolt at the breakerpoints. A small aligator clip will do fine. During the test isolate both breakers by inserting a small piece of plastic. Make sure the plugs (either 1+4 or 2+3) you want to test, are making good contact to ground. Switch on the ignition and 'brush' with the stranded end of the copper wire over engine or unpainted chassis et voilà: fireworks! You'll be impressed. The wilder you brush, the more intense the sparks. Under your seat there is always room for such a wire and two minuscule pieces of plastic, which makes it a great tool for testing on the road.
Don't forget to clean points after removing the plastic isolators!
 

[Deltarider]

That thingie is of no use as of now. If you could connect your own coil to do the work, then it would be interesting. You could then benchtest your coil by having it run for 15 minutes @ 6000 rpm. In  such an indurance test abnormailties like the degree of increased heat, would become manifest.

[Don R]

 It seems that my inductive timing light only strobes when the plug is firing. I've used it on every plug wire just to look for flashes and or lack of flashing. Sometimes it skips if the plug is wet or marginal.

[Deltarider]

It seems that my inductive timing light only strobes when the plug is firing. I've used it on every plug wire just to look for flashes and or lack of flashing. Sometimes it skips if the plug is wet or marginal.

Yep, I have practised that many times. It also helps you train your ear. No flash is always accompanied by a sharp, abrupt interruption, a negative hiccup, so to speak. In general electric failures manifest themselves abruptly, where as carburetion related issues develop more gradually.
It would be interesting if the driver of that thingie could be used in connection with a coil of our choice. Has anyone opened one up yet? I remember I have asked Ashimoto in the UK site years ago if he could provide me with a wiring scheme, so I can make one myself but he never came thru.

[bryanj]

Champion used to make a spark plug cleaner tester that was connected to workshop air and used a grit to blast clean the plug and then a mains powered ht coil to test the plug using a thumbwheel to add air pressure to test under load

[Deltarider]

Champion used to make a spark plug cleaner tester that was connected to workshop air and used a grit to blast clean the plug and then a mains powered ht coil to test the plug using a thumbwheel to add air pressure to test under load

Fancy one, Bryan? Here's one for € 650,- only. Have a look here: > https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/verzamelen/automerken-motoren-en-formule-1/m2183835391-champion-spark-plug-service-tester

[bryanj]

Not really, dont have a compressor plus whilst you can get the grit the originals came with a rubber nozzle to fit intenaly the produces the "syphon" for grit, this gets loose and needs regular replacement so whole thing an ornament if you cant get.
Plus who cleans plugs anymore!

[Deltarider]

Where I live, you can buy 130 sparkplugs for €650,-.