Pertronix Ignition Question

[Ohiobugeye]

I have installed a Pertronix ignition system. My set up is 1275 engine using a standard 1275 distributor converted to negative ground, non ballasted . The Module installed with no problems. I was starting from scratch so I didn't have the points or condenser to disconnect or by pass. once the module is installed you have one red wire that connects to the positive terminal to the coil and one black wire that connects to the negative terminal of the coil. The Bugeyes wiring harness has a white wire that connects to the positive terminal to the coil ( neg ground system) that supplies voltage from the fuse block. The harness also has a white and black wire that runs from the negative coil terminal to the distributor under normal conditions. Is it necessary to connect the white and black wire from the coil to the distributor being I now have the electronic ignition installed and am not using the points and condenser?

 

[recordsj]

I installed pertronix on my 1500 midget followed the instructions as follows in the link below
https://www.pertronix.com/support/manuals/pdf/ignitor12vneg.pdf

 

[Sarastro]

The white-black wire was the original wire from the coil to the points, right? If so, you can just disconnect it at both ends--from the distributor and the coil--and tuck it away where it's out of trouble. Probably not a good idea to cut it off, as you might need it some day if, for some reason, you revert to points.

 

[Ohiobugeye]

Yes Steve, the black and white wire was the connection from the coil to the points. I have it tied up and put out of the way for now, never know if I might want to change over to points in the future. Thanks.

 

[dklawson]

Pertronix is great, but be prepared. Put a new set of points, a new condenser, and a feeler gauge or matchbook cover in your kit of traveling spares. It's very easy to convert back to points by the side of the road if your Ignitor module ever fails you.

One caveat regarding Pertronix is to limit the amount of time your ignition is on with the engine NOT running. Limit this to no more than 3 minutes. A common failure mode for Pertronix is for an owner to switch on the ignition for troubleshooting something else... and leave the module powered up without running the engine. This can allow the module to overheat and fail.

 

[Ohiobugeye]

I have been warned about leaving the ignition on to long. I WILL keep a set of points and a condenser in the tool kit. According to the installation instructions you can leave the points and condenser installed but disconnected. Any truth in that?

 

[dklawson]

According to the installation instructions you can leave the points and condenser installed but disconnected. Any truth in that?

????

I'd like to see a copy of those instructions! The Ignitor module physically bolts down where the points are in a standard distributor so I don't see how you could leave them in place. I suppose in SOME distributors it might be possible to leave the condenser but I don't know if that's true for the 25D (or DM2) and 45D series distributors common to A-series engines.

 

[Ohiobugeye]

Oops, my reading error!!!!! Didn't seem right to me either. The statement in the instructions reads "#4 The ignitor does not require any modifications to the distributor. Therefore the points, condenser, and hardware can be used as backup."