6 Volt Electronic Ignition

[MZFred]

Can any one advise on suitable electronic ignition systems for a TS250 Supa Five. I have looked at the 12volt conversion but that is a expensive option at the moment especially after just up rating the lighting with led bulbs.

[mr_luke]

Maplins sell a kit to build a points-assisted electronic ignition unit - quite a simple thing which basically uses the points as the trigger for the electronics. Obviously the points are still used, so there is still a risk of mechanical failure, but arcing and burning across the points is effectively eliminated. The condensor is disconnected, which removes another potential source of unreliability, but you can obviously leave it in place so it's easy to reconnect should your soldering let you down and the unit fail!

Out of the box, it is a 12V unit, but it only requires a couple of resistors to be substituted to convert it to 6V. I'm fairly sure this is described in the instructions. You need to build it up yourself and find a suitable enclosure for it. Costs about a tenner I think.

I've got one on my ETZ and have been pretty pleased with it so far. I've also used them successfully on a couple of cars. On the ETZ, I've stripped out the contents of the original knackered coil, and fitted the unit into that, potted in candlewax. There's a large heatsink in the kit which I've dispensed with, just using the aluminium coil casing instead. I've then got a chinese coil 'piggy backed' off the EI unit, and mounted to the mudguard behind it. Having a bit too much time on my hands, I've cut the moulded chinese HT lead so it only goes as far as the original HT terminal in the original coil casing. This means I can replace the bit of lead which gets exposed to the elements nice and easily. Coupled with a new set of points, I'm quite pleased with it!

[MZFred]

Thanks very much for the info Mr, Is this the Velleman Kit as many years ago a mate put one on a VW Bug? Looks like I will have to go down to my local Maplins at Nottingham and get the soldering iron out again!

[Louis Mair]

There was a purpose built 6v electronic ignition system, Neutronic? In the days when MZ-riding invovled more mileage Burwin's were kept in business supplying spares. The ignition system was one of the accessories they sold.

[stogadog]

There is a boyer points assist unit too. I had one on my last Trophy. It's exactly the same as what was described earlier but you basically just plug it in. I had no trouble from it and my points didn't show any sign of degradation. It also had a natty little light on it that told when the points are opening which made timing easy. I don't know how much they are though as it came with the bike.

[mhsilverw]

Hi,

Is this the Maplins thing...

Maplins sell a kit to build a points-assisted electronic ignition unit - quite a simple thing which basically uses the points as the trigger for the electronics. Obviously the points are still used, so there is still a risk of mechanical failure, but arcing and burning across the points is effectively eliminated. The condensor is disconnected, which removes another potential source of unreliability, but you can obviously leave it in place so it's easy to reconnect should your soldering let you down and the unit fail!

Out of the box, it is a 12V unit, but it only requires a couple of resistors to be substituted to convert it to 6V. I'm fairly sure this is described in the instructions. You need to build it up yourself and find a suitable enclosure for it. Costs about a tenner I think.

I've got one on my ETZ and have been pretty pleased with it so far. I've also used them successfully on a couple of cars. On the ETZ, I've stripped out the contents of the original knackered coil, and fitted the unit into that, potted in candlewax. There's a large heatsink in the kit which I've dispensed with, just using the aluminium coil casing instead. I've then got a chinese coil 'piggy backed' off the EI unit, and mounted to the mudguard behind it. Having a bit too much time on my hands, I've cut the moulded chinese HT lead so it only goes as far as the original HT terminal in the original coil casing. This means I can replace the bit of lead which gets exposed to the elements nice and easily. Coupled with a new set of points, I'm quite pleased with it!

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ignition-amplifier-kit-3162

It appears to mention
Suitable for engines of 2 to 8 cylinders
and
Supply voltage: 12V to 14Vdc

Is this the item or is there an alternative?

Any details on the "...but it only requires a couple of resistors to be substituted to convert it to 6V..."?

M

[mr_luke]

That's the one! I hadn't noticed the 2-8 cylinders bit before, but it's designed to be used with one set of points and one ignition coil, so it should be fine, as far as I know. Certainly it worked perfectly well on my ETZ until it was nicked! I think the target market was car owners, so I suppose it wouldn't necessarily mention single cylinder engines.

It's a Velleman kit, and the information for 6V conversion is either on their website or in the instructions that come with it - maybe both! Top of the Google list for "Velleman ignition 6V" was this:
http://www.designnotes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=K2543&Category_Code=alaa

Hope that helps!

[mr_luke]

Oh, and yes, it probably is the same one as fitted to a beetle!

You can buy several very similar things, if you don't want to construct your own. Although I suspect your choice will be a bit limited looking for 6V units! A Boyer Bransen would be my choice if money were no object. The only other type I have had direct experience of is Sparkrite, and both the units I tried expired very quickly!

My new ETZ is fitted with a later generator with MZ's own electronic ignition fitted, and a replacement PVL coil, so hopefully it won't require too much attention on that front. Handy really, as it's absolutely hanging in all other respects!

[ericetz301]

my `six peneth` to the discution,
if your going to fit a electronic ignition unit, it is realy better to get one that is designed to operate at the 6 volts, boyer / branson, about £35 ish, I`ve got something similar by `gamatronic from the ever helpfull Mr. E. Bay for £26.
again a simple 5 wire installation and as for the codensor all I did was to cut the wire and fit a male / female crimp to the cut ends so it could be re used if required.