Re: How do Atom Computer Ignition modules work?

[legendre]

quote debe:

Mercuryman, Theres something wrong with your transistor, its not turning on fully.

That’s because it’s a dirty little fake, lol. Same as I have, and from the same source.

In other news, I moved my breadboard module to a real motor, and the results are interesting. It works – that is, it fires the plug – irrespective of "polarity" (phase, really). But it definitely +prefers+ one phase as it produces more energetic sparks and at lower RPM in one configuration. In the better config, the spark from the module is the equal of that produced by the original points & condenser (it’s a two-cylinder motor, same-old "won’t run right" 1949 TD20 – at least it’s doing something useful).

I’m guessing that the commercial modules (and debe’s) are absolutely phase-sensitive due to the diode present within the transistor package – and if not, due to the snubber diode added externally. Recall my setup still lacks any sort of diode, internal or external, as well as the capacitor. Resistor values are still 1K3 and 470R.

ETA: Changed 470R to 360R, which increased the spark energy. The module trips at a higher coil voltage with that change.