OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

[Seasport]

Hi all,<br />I have a 2001 Johnson 150. I can easily do most of the sync & link procedure but come unstuck when it comes to ignition timing because you need the OMC Ignition Analyser (P/N 434017). This is really expensive.<br /><br />I'm aware of Joe Reeves method but I think the Quick Start feature complicates this on my motor. I've done a bit of research on this subject (there's an excellent book on ignition troubleshooting at www.rapair.com) and I don't think it would be too hard to build an electronic unit that does the same thing as the analyser (given that I have electronic skills).<br /><br />There are only 5 wires going to the optical ignition sensor on my motor. Two of these are power (one to power the LED), one ground and two signals which give pulses: once per motor revolution & seven times per revolution.<br /><br />Since the adjustment is done with the motor stationary, the ignition analyser must just be detecting the position at which the optical sensor switches from one state to the other (I presume).<br /><br />This may be a long shot, but has anyone else looked into this? Would be nice to come up with a circuit that does the same thing.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

Rapair/CDI company makes a tester that is a lot less money than the factory one.<br /><br />Rapair.com

 

[Seasport]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

Thanks for this Seahorse. Looks like this is still about $200. I reckon I can make one for a lot less. This tool has several purposes, but if you just use it for setting timing, it's reasonably straightforward.<br /><br />Would anyone else be interested in this if I made one just for setting timing?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

Yes! Keep us informed with what you can come up with. I don't know if you have Radio Shack in New Zealand, but if you did, you would propably have it built for $10. Maybe you can borrow an analyser, just don't say that you are going to take it apart.

 

[Seasport]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

We have a variety of electronics suppliers here. The components should be fine but getting hold of the right plug to mate with the timing sensor connector is more of a problem. That's a specialised automotive type connector (Packard I think). I don't think I can source this here.<br /><br />I'll try putting something together and report back on progress. I don't think I need to borrow one & pull it apart (although that would be nice ;-) ). From what I can glean from various sources, the analyser simply detects when the optical sensor switches state from high to low. This determines the position of the crankshaft when the ignition signal is sent to the powerpack. All the smarts are done in the power pack. It's bit more complicated than the old light bulb & points opening trick - but not too bad!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

You can also just use a timing lite to set the adjustment. There is no need to use the expensive piece of test equipment.

 

[Seasport]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

Yes but you have the complication of the powerpack and what it does to the timing signal in between the optical sensor and the spark. Quikstart operates when the motor is cold & for 5s when it is first started even when warm. This advances the timing by 10 degrees (it does this by triggering off the leading rather than trailing edge of the optical output signal). When you set the timing using the Joe Reeves method, you need to make sure that either Quikstart is disabled or you make allowances for it.<br /><br />I'm not sure where the 4 degrees adjustment comes from in the Joe Reeves method. Is this applicable to the OIS system?<br /><br />I guess you could hang off the back of the boat at full throttle & test it with a timing light.<br /><br />I figure that the surefire way of knowing that the timing is right is to make sure the optical sensor provides the trigger signal at the right crankshaft position. That's what the analyser does.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

You are right in a couple of respects, aiming a timimg light , at a large engine, while leaning over the back of a boat is a circus act. Aiming a timing light at a optical ignition sensor won't work.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

The timing lite works fine. You use it to watch the QUICKSTART advance and retard the spark when you first start up the engine. You do not have to worry about idle timing, that is what adjusts the idle speed. High speed timing is easy to do in most boats. Make sure you have a skilled driver, that the water is smooth and in a safe area, and use a timing lite made for high speed 2-stroke use. Many car timing lites are not made for the equivalent of an automobile's 11,000 rpm flashes that a 2-stroke has at 5500 rpm.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

Smooth lake, bright sunny day, skilled driver, And a timing light that whold rival an atomic blast! " Circus Act"

 

[danny k]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

And to think I have trouble setting the gap on my spark plugs!!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

You can also check the timing on the trailer if you have the boat tied down well and the motor deep enough in the water.<br /><br />That ignition system is not dependent on rpm like traditional CDI's are, so all you need to do is have the throttle wide open for a moment to see the timing marks. A quick advance of the throttle is all you need.<br /><br />I guess a safer way is to hook up a 6 wire spark checker, and the throttle at full advance, crank the motor over and watch the timing marks.<br /><br />There is always more than one way "to skin a cat" as my grandfather used to say.

 

[Seasport]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

I've done the off the back of the boat trick before but not set the timing with the boat on the trailer. Do you mean you put the motor in gear & take it up to 5500rpm or do you rev it up in neutral?<br /><br />If you do the timing the spark tester way, do you need to make the 4 degree allowance for the Powerpack as for other motors? Or does this not apply to the OIS?<br /><br />Meanwhile, I'm working on the diy analyzer. I'll update you when I've made some progress.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: OMC Ignition Analyser - anyone know how it works?

When on the trailer, the engine must be in gear. A lot depends on how much horse power you can dump on a wooden board with a fiberglass skin.

 

[190Marco]

Hi Seasport,
Im working on restoring a 2003 115 Johnson, that was under water, I need to adjust the timing, but dont have the analyser, have you been able to do your trick, or build one like you had thought about, or have you been able to come up with a solution on how to adjust the timing, without the analyser?

 

[GA_Boater]

Hi Seasport,
Im working on restoring a 2003 115 Johnson, that was under water, I need to adjust the timing, but dont have the analyser, have you been able to do your trick, or build one like you had thought about, or have you been able to come up with a solution on how to adjust the timing, without the analyser?

Thread is 15 years old and Seasport is long gone.

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