Electronic Ignition for 25D distributors

[David_Doan]

Does anyone have experience with these electronic units? They are sold by Advanced Distributors and are available on ebay. Seems like a good compromise that keeps things simple while eliminating mechanical points and crappy condensers. They are cheap enough ($20) that you can just keep a spare in the car.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

It concerns me that Jeff states that there are no expressed or implied warranty. I think pertronix offers a warranty.

 

[TR3driver]

OTOH if they don't burn up if you forget and leave the key on, that might make it worth the lack of warranty. IIRC, Pertronix voids their warranty if you leave the key on.

 

[David_Doan]

Not too worried about the warranty it's only $20. Can either carry a spare or a set of points/condenser in the car. Mostly looking for some 1st hand opinions. I love the simplicity of the sprite, but I don't think they could have made the points harder to change/adjust if they had tried. Also spoiled by newer GM points that were adjustable with an allen wrench. From a mechanical design standpoint, adjusting a mechanical gap with 1000th of and inch precision using a slot with a screw is a bad design. {rant over}

Sorry, my whole car is apart right now, just looking at things that should be improved/fixed as I put it back together.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

David,

If you go that route be sure and get Jeff's rotor along with it. Bugsy has one in place. Like the simplicity and less to go wrong.

 

[JPSmit]

My experience says if Jeff is selling it it will be a good part and fairly priced. He has an excellent reputation

 

[David_Doan]

My experience says if Jeff is selling it it will be a good part and fairly priced. He has an excellent reputation

That's what I was thinking. He has a solid reputation in the community and he is also the cheapest.

 

[taskadog]

That's what I was thinking. He has a solid reputation in the community and he is also the cheapest.

I would tend to believe that if Jeff is selling it, he's tested it.
A lot of people are forced into putting disclaimers on their work, even some who make a point of standing behind what they sell.

 

[dklawson]

There are several forms of that kit that are used in the U.K. They are a routine topic of discussion on one of the U.K. boards I visit.

There have been the occasional infant mortality issues with them but in general my acquaintances in the U.K. are pleased with them. I don't believe Jeff would sell them if he had concerns. His not offering a warranty may simply be because the supplier he gets them from either doesn't offer a warranty OR he might have to send them back to Europe to get warranty coverage. That's hard to do and make a profit if the parts are inexpensive.

 

[Gerard]

I would agree with other opinions here. I know Jeff to be a very particular guy and he has very high standards for quality.

 

[AN5Sprite]

When I compare the wording/tone of the item description to other products Jeff offers/endorses I see a stark difference. They fit, they work, no warranty (paraphrase)...that's pretty tepid in comparison. Just sayin'.

 

[David_Doan]

It's only 20 bucks, I'm going to try one. My car won't be back on the road for a couple months, I will let ya'll know how it goes eventually.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I'm wondering if he is offering them because they have been requested by so many of his customers that want cheap electronic ignition for the sake of not having to adjust points.

I'd like someone to offer a different breaker plate that will allow a simple adjustment cam. I'm too old to be hunched over the car prying around with a screwdriver, squinting, and fumbling a feeler gauge all at the same time.

 

[aeronca65t]

I bought one but have not installed it. It's so cheap, it was hard to resist. And I'll bring along a set of old points/condensor in case it fails.

My experience is that this sort of thing usually fails early during "burn in" (hence the "infant mortality" comment above). If it lasts a few hours, you'll probably get decent service life out of it.

One thing I have done with the Pertronix unit in my race-Spridget (and will do with this): I'll run power to the coil through the resistor all the time (no bypass circuit for starting). Even with reduced current to the coil, my race car starts easily and, I believe, this acts as an "electrical cushion" that reduces voltage spikes during starting. My Pertronix unit has been in service with this arrangement for over 10 years.

 

[nomad]

Jeff has replied to things on this forum before. I'll bet if someone asked him he would be glad to elaborate on these units. However, as many have stated, its cheap enough to experiment.

Kurt.

 

[Pythias]

I'd like someone to offer a different breaker plate that will allow a simple adjustment cam. I'm too old to be hunched over the car prying around with a screwdriver, squinting, and fumbling a feeler gauge all at the same time.

Most of us are too old to be doing that. Far easier to pull the dizzy and set the points "on the bench" then put it back in and reset the timing. I think I tried to set the points in the car ONCE. After that it was on the bench, and then electronics.