Pertronix Ignitor - old potential reliability issue is still there

[twas_brillig]

I e-mailed Pertronix yesterday asking if their Ignitor was still at risk for failure if it was left powered up without the engine running (we have one on a VW powered Meyers Manx clone buggy, and had it fail this way a few years ago. Pertronix was good enough to repair it, with no charge). They replied today that it still has the same old potential issue, but suggested their Ignitor II , but for negative ground only (and I appreciated that recommendation too!):


"Sorry we haven't changed the design. The Ignitor would still have the same rules. Sorry.

If you were not running a positive ground we could talk about the Ignitor II version but it doesn't work in a positive ground.

Your Pertronix Team,
Marvin Grebow Jr.

Technical Dept."

 

[steveg]

They told me not to exceed 45 seconds with the ignition on and not running. I'm careful not to run it for longer than about 15 seconds. This has worked fine for me for 10 years.

 

[Deleted member 21878]

But the igniter II is not to be used with solid cores wires they say.

 

[CaptRandy]

In what cases would you have the ignition switch on for an extended period of time?

 

[donbmw]

Trouble shooting a electrical problem. I have had 2 go bad. I was disconnecting the Petronix any time the power was for more than a couple minutes.

 

[steveg]

Trouble shooting a electrical problem. I have had 2 go bad. I was disconnecting the Petronix any time the power was for more than a couple minutes.

I don't believe they go bad so much as we fry them. I know I have. Troubleshooting is problematic.

 

[CaptRandy]

Back in the 60's we learned that the points will fry if the ignition is left on so I guess I remember that and never leave it on for an extended period of time.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Back in the 60's we learned that the points will fry if the ignition is left on so I guess I remember that and never leave it on for an extended period of time.

You can cook a coil, also too.

 

[RAC68]

Hi All,

After a period of non-use, I turn the ignition on without starting the car to have the fuel pump push fuel and build pressure. After the clicks stop, I then attempt to start my Healey. Although I have never thought this process could have the unintended consequence of burning my points (when they were installed) or my present Crane Electronic Ignition, it was a process I used for at least the past 40 years without issue.

As mentioned, my present electronic ignition is a Crane which was a forced warranty replacement for a failed Alison EI (Crane purchased Alison) and now I am wondering if it had a design flaw similar to that of the Pertronix. Since the installation of my Crane in the latter part of 1999, I have continued to start my Healey after a period of inactivity (weeks) using the same procedure and have found the EI both efficient, consistent and reliable (on issues).

Although I have this starting procedure for my Healey, I use a Pertronix on my 79 TR7 and do not use this starting approach. The Triumph is equipped with a modern rotational electric fuel pump that moves fuel and

builds pressure ​

quickly to easily satisfy carburation needs for a quick choked start-up. Based upon the cause of Pertronix failures, I have been lucky to have chosen the unit for the car as I did and not installed IEs in the reverse.

Just my thoughts,
Ray(64BJ8P1)

 

[John Turney]

Ray,

I have the same starting procedure and Crane system that you do. Not had a problem, except when the high voltage started arcing to the optical pickup bracket in the distributor. Trimmed teh bracket and all is ok.

 

[Keoke]

Well: Do not leave the switch on for very long

This "OLD" problem is not really a reliability or design failure mode ,it exists because there is no way to put a Heat Sink in the module large enough to displace the heat caused by the constant current flow through the Transistor when you leave the device connected while you are trouble shooting other electrical problems.

Trouble shooting a faulty Pertronix requires a very good scope and they do not generally respond to conventional static electrical testing methods.



P.S. That Steve fella just about right--LOL

 

[RAC68]

This "OLD" problem is not really a reliability or design failure mode ,it exists because there is no way to put a Heat Sink in the module large enough to displace the heat caused by the constant current flow through the Transistor when you leave the device connected while you are trouble shooting other electrical problems.​

Original in-error statement:

That is why the Pertronix 2 and Crane do not have this problem as they have a large externally mounted heat sink and electronics.​

Corrected statement:
That is why the Crane does not have this problem as it has a large externally mounted heat sink and electronics.

Sorry for my error in my initial statement. I misidentified the Pertronix HP Digital component in the picture as being part of the Pertronix 2 and wrongly associated it as being a similar setup as the Crane.

Ray(64BJ8P1)

 

[Keoke]

That is why the Pertronix 2 and Crane do not have this problem as both have a large externally mounted heat sink and electronics.​

l ifin this be true:

Well ifin this be true why can't they make a Pertronix 2 for negative ground, heat sinks do not affect grounding systems.?

Ill stop by next time I am up that way . :smile-new:

OH! maybe they are contemplating a power inverter to extend their line