Aldon Ignitor electronic ignition with ballast coil

[Erich Stahler]

Afternoon chaps.

Was wondering if any of you have experience of running this electronic ignition module on an Essex V6 inside an old standard Motorcraft distributor with a ballasted coil?

Basically need something that fits inside distributor cap with no external box and just works with zero maintenance.

Also does it handle mechanical advance correctly with no problems?

http://www.burtonpower.com/aldon-ignitor-ford-esse...

[Penelope Stopit]

An electronic ignition system with an external amplifier is maintenance free and will very likely be more reliable than the unit you have linked

[Erich Stahler]

Penelope Stopit said:

An electronic ignition system with an external amplifier is maintenance free and will very likely be more reliable than the unit you have linked

Unfortunately an electronic ignition system with an external amplifier would not be permitted in the technical regulations for the race series im competing in.

Are you inferring that the external units are more reliable as they are not subjected to heat related failures?

[alanbarker]

I know it's a different car but on my Lotus Elan Sprint i fitted a "simonbloc" "powerspark" hall effect 6 years ago and it's still good.
They sell them for the Essex V6 also. Cost is about £32 .
Alan

[Erich Stahler]

alanbarker said:

I know it's a different car but on my Lotus Elan Sprint i fitted a "simonbloc" "powerspark" hall effect 6 years ago and it's still good.
They sell them for the Essex V6 also. Cost is about £32 .
Alan

I tried a powerspark unit, but could not get the car to run at all suspect it might have been a faulty unit or I might of damaged it somehow, so had to revert back to points and condenser.
I'm assuming the powerspark is designed to work with a ballasted ignition coil?

[Penelope Stopit]

Erich Stahler said:

Penelope Stopit said:

An electronic ignition system with an external amplifier is maintenance free and will very likely be more reliable than the unit you have linked

Unfortunately an electronic ignition system with an external amplifier would not be permitted in the technical regulations for the race series im competing in.

Are you inferring that the external units are more reliable as they are not subjected to heat related failures?

I wasn't aware of any regulations due to you not mentioning them in your OP

There is surely some misunderstanding here
Regulations allow electronic ignition to be fitted as long as there is no amplifier to be seen?

My opinion, for what it's worth
I always expect an external amplifier to be more reliable than an internal one if fitted in a manner so as to not suffer from engine vibration and heat
Anything fitted inside a distributor is very close to a source of vibration and heat, the distributor shaft comes to mind

[Oneball]

I’ve been running one in a Cooper S race car with a Lucas distributors for over a decade. It just does the job of the points so no problem with the mech adv.

I’ve had one failure in that time where the wire came detached from the unit, probably due to ham-fisted-ness so now Ive put a blob of epoxy where the wires exit.

Speak to Aldon in Brierley Hill direct. They are super helpful and I can recommend them if you need a rolling road too.

[phillpot]

Erich Stahler said:

a standard Motorcraft distributor with a ballasted coil?

Personally I would ditch the ballast resistor and fit a 12 volt coil, I did a few years ago when I fitted an AccuSpark unit. Not had any problems, starts fine without need for ballast system, although the car doesn't do a huge mileage.

[alanbarker]

Erich Stahler said:

I tried a powerspark unit, but could not get the car to run at all suspect it might have been a faulty unit or I might of damaged it somehow, so had to revert back to points and condenser.
I'm assuming the powerspark is designed to work with a ballasted ignition coil?

With the "simonbloc" "powerspark" you need to bin the ballast and fit a 12 volt coil with a high resistance eg. Bosch blue.
It's noted in the paper work about the resistance of the coil.
On my 3000S i have a "Pirana system" that was fitted many years ago but still works well.
On my 3000M it is still on points but i think i will fit a "simonbloc" in the summer.
Alan

[Erich Stahler]

So in summary looks like any of the electronic ignition units, even the powerspark should be fine for what I want if I ditch the ballasted coil and go for 12v one.

Thanks all for your help.

[alanbarker]

Yes but check what resistance coil you need for the system you fit.
Alan

[Erich Stahler]

alanbarker said:

Yes but check what resistance coil you need for the system you fit.
Alan

Noted.