Would this be of value?

[petryshyn]

With all the ignition problems we see, is there a tool out there as below. I realize a lab scope would tell us more, but who can afford one? If a guy could build one of these for $100.00 CAN. would it sell? Sure would take the guess work out of diagnosing a missfire under load (out on the lake). Maybe I'm too late. Does anyone offer a tool like this?<br />-This would be a hand held, quick connect diagnostic tool. It would connect 'over' existing plug wires and require no external power source.............<br /><br /><br />

 

[JB]

Re: Would this be of value?

Strikes me as a great idea, Schematic, but I'm a technocrat. I kind of doubt that people would buy an onboard diagnostic tool. A majority don't do anything at all until they already have trouble.<br /><br />Myself, I loved my CRT Ign. Analyzer I built froma Knight (or was it Heath?) Kit. You could tell so much about a 4 stroke with it, and I guess it would have done as well on a 2 stroke.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Would this be of value?

Yo JB.....This would be portable hand held device, not permanent. (size of a pack of smokes)that clips on with no external power needed. Don't even need to remove plug wires.......just clip on over top of wires....connect a ground and start her up! I agree, an automotive ignition scope would do a better job, but the hand held or portable ones are expensive, for a low-income dude like myself.......LOL<br /><br />

 

[clanton]

Re: Would this be of value?

I have ask 2 companys and posted this on other boards, no reponse. My request was for 6 cylinder, induction pickups to connect to plug wire, to box with 6 lights that would flash like timing light, 25 ft cord to reach engine control for 1 person testing. Need more from me call 352-746-1953. I am on EST zone.

 

[clanton]

Re: Would this be of value?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Would this be of value?

Hi Clanton!<br /> We're talking the same langauge! Did you build one or do you have a need for one?

 

[clanton]

Re: Would this be of value?

No, Im not that smart, but I would love to have one. I see 2-3 times the intermitting ignition problems as I did 7-8 years ago, and Im retired. Should work on any engine with sparkplugs.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Would this be of value?

If I build one, would you be interested in testing and maybe marketing it?

 

[Paddling]

Re: Would this be of value?

I have a handy single wire tester that has a light in a pencil size wand with a half pipe pick up at one end and an alligator clip ground wire at the other. It was about $8 at the local Auto Zone. It only lights if ignition is good though. I don't see how you could check for opens or grounds when using an inductive pick up. It seems that it would be simple to rework several of these into a single box. If you had four you could test upto half of a v-8 at a time. If it will help I'll determine the manufacturer when I get home and post later?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Would this be of value?

Ahoy Paddling<br />-the tool you're refering to is made by Tuffy. Champion used to make them as well. They work use a neon tube that illuminates from high voltage.<br />-open wire > high required voltage > bright flash<br />-grounded wire or fouled plug > low required voltage > dim flash<br />-bad ignition > no flash<br />-intermitent miss > intermitent flash<br />ONLY PROBLEM IS IT ONLY DOES ONE CYL AT A TIME

 

[Backlash]

Re: Would this be of value?

Hey Schematic,<br />Looks like a mighty handy tester to me. I can think of plenty of times I could have used something like it.....ended up having to use a standard timing light on individual cylinders one at a time...and it was a two man operation.<br />Good luck,<br />Backlash

 

[12Footer]

Re: Would this be of value?

Schematic, I like the way you think <br />I allready have an idea of how to improve the basic design( But i bet you allready thought of this too).<br />Instead of running all to ground, make this as an inline device.Plug the wires into the input of the box,the high tension plug wires from the box to the engine.<br /><br />I realize you would loose 50% of your gap potential, but you could use it while running the boat under load.<br />Maybe a pasasitic smapler on each input wouldn't sap much potential at the plugs tho. Just thinkin and typin out loud.<br />Great idea..When you get it built, you sold me one.<br />Clamps on the plug wires,sounds like it allready WOULD be a parasitic sampling thing-o-mabob.

 

[clanton]

Re: Would this be of value?

Send me one to check out, how are you connecting to the plug wire. I want 2 for myself, if it works as you say. I need your e-mail to send you my address,

 

[clanton]

Re: Would this be of value?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Would this be of value?

Hi clanton.....my e-mail is schematic2@yahoo.ca<br />-When I build the first prototype, I'll send it to you, but...........you gotta do me another favor.<br />-still don't know the bleeder routing on a 1978 3 cyl 70hp merc. The boat's in storage 200 miles from here, so I can't physically check it, but I know there is a hose missing. I haven't heard much good about this motor, but since I rectified the exhaust leak around the motor mounts, it runs great!!<br />

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Would this be of value?

Hey, schematic....I still got a couple of those old champion pencil type inductive testers hanging in my tool box....they can be useful on a multi-cylinder motor, but i honestly have not used mine in years.....a regular 12v test light [with pointy probe] is the tool I grab to find a dead cyl....ground it like usual and slide the probe between the plug boot and wire...when in far enough, spark has an easier path and cylinder drops....if no change, you have found the dead hole.......afterwards an open air cranking gap test will verify a poor spark ...can even help you set up carbs, adjusting idle mix till you get a fairly equal drop between all cyl.....

 

[Hooty]

Re: Would this be of value?

I think it would be a great tool. No shade-tree should be without one. Give it a name soz when it pops up in the "topic" column we'll all know what it's about, and check on progress.<br /><br />Necessity, the mother on invention or something to that effect.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Would this be of value?

Hey Paddling: did you find the 'make' of that spark indicator yet?<br /><br />

 

[hondon]

Re: Would this be of value?

Nice idea. For now I will just point the timing light at my face and move it as needed.Keep us posted.

 

[Paddling]

Re: Would this be of value?

Mine is from the OEM Company, part no. 25045. It is labeled as being manufactured in Taiwan. I can't find any reference to this company on the web. It is one of those companys that markets all types of handy tools under one display label.