Ignition Timing and Pulsing Coil theory

itjstagame · 09-27-2006

Ok, well I'm pretty sure my pulsing coil needs to be replaced on my ZX600C. While I was at it, should I look for an ignition advancer?

I'm more curious what an ignition advancer is. Thinking about how the pulsing coil must work, my guess is it's the inner rotor but with a smaller tab. That is, because it's shorter, the 'brain' thinks it's the original rotor but spinning faster (I figure all it can really see is the current duration accross the pulsing coil). So, my question is, is this correct? Can I just shave some millimeters off the length of my tab on the rotor?

Even more advanced, this is a pretty smart ignition system for '88, it sounds basically the same as fully electronic ignition found on todays vehicles, except for how it reads the rpms. Am I completely off base? Because to me it seems that all the pulsing coil does is provide an idea to the 'brain' of the rpms of the engine. The pulsing coil does not seem to have any kind of ignition advance, that must all be built into the brain.

So my question is, instead of using this crazy setup, can I get an actual cam or crank position sensor and install it? I think all I'd need to know is the expected output from the ignition coil (that is, a certain voltage or current for a certain duration per revolution of crank). Also, I have two magnets, like basically two pulsing coils, is this just to be more exact with the guess or are we really reading 1/2 crank revolutions?

I realize the easiest thing for me to do would be to buy a pulsing coil and not ask such high level questions, but where's the fun in that?

QKENUF4U · 09-27-2006

pulsar coil is your TRIGGER for the coils to fire. a aftermarket advancer plate will just alter when it fires (before top dead center, after top dead center) i have a 4* advance plate on mine. smoothed my throttle,makes the bike a bit more crisp.

itjstagame · 09-28-2006

Right, but what I'm saying is, if the plate is hooked 1:1 with the crank shaft and it's the direct trigger, then there's no mechanical advance, timing will always be based directly on when the coil pulses regardless of engine speed.

So, based on what you say, can I just rotate the plate? Basically I'm confused as to why I need a different plate to advance my ignition.

QKENUF4U · 09-28-2006

i guess ya could but can you be that accurate in your movement ??

09-27-2006	#1 (permalink)
itjstagame Information Assimilator BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 610	Ignition Timing and Pulsing Coil theory Ok, well I'm pretty sure my pulsing coil needs to be replaced on my ZX600C. While I was at it, should I look for an ignition advancer? I'm more curious what an ignition advancer is. Thinking about how the pulsing coil must work, my guess is it's the inner rotor but with a smaller tab. That is, because it's shorter, the 'brain' thinks it's the original rotor but spinning faster (I figure all it can really see is the current duration accross the pulsing coil). So, my question is, is this correct? Can I just shave some millimeters off the length of my tab on the rotor? Even more advanced, this is a pretty smart ignition system for '88, it sounds basically the same as fully electronic ignition found on todays vehicles, except for how it reads the rpms. Am I completely off base? Because to me it seems that all the pulsing coil does is provide an idea to the 'brain' of the rpms of the engine. The pulsing coil does not seem to have any kind of ignition advance, that must all be built into the brain. So my question is, instead of using this crazy setup, can I get an actual cam or crank position sensor and install it? I think all I'd need to know is the expected output from the ignition coil (that is, a certain voltage or current for a certain duration per revolution of crank). Also, I have two magnets, like basically two pulsing coils, is this just to be more exact with the guess or are we really reading 1/2 crank revolutions? I realize the easiest thing for me to do would be to buy a pulsing coil and not ask such high level questions, but where's the fun in that?

09-27-2006	#2 (permalink)
QKENUF4U AZ's Official Mechanic BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: phoenix arizona Posts: 3,458	pulsar coil is your TRIGGER for the coils to fire. a aftermarket advancer plate will just alter when it fires (before top dead center, after top dead center) i have a 4* advance plate on mine. smoothed my throttle,makes the bike a bit more crisp.

09-28-2006	#3 (permalink)
itjstagame Information Assimilator BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 610	Right, but what I'm saying is, if the plate is hooked 1:1 with the crank shaft and it's the direct trigger, then there's no mechanical advance, timing will always be based directly on when the coil pulses regardless of engine speed. So, based on what you say, can I just rotate the plate? Basically I'm confused as to why I need a different plate to advance my ignition.

09-28-2006	#4 (permalink)
QKENUF4U AZ's Official Mechanic BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: phoenix arizona Posts: 3,458	i guess ya could but can you be that accurate in your movement ??

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