- checking spark by turning the rear wheel with a gear engaged
will in most cases NOT result in spark. You simply do not get the needed
crankshaft speed for a magneto ignition. This will have worked
with the points based ignition, but not with magneto based ignitions.
Here you need about 300 revs for starting. With our
high-speed racing systems (inner flywheel) you even need 500 revs,
- taking the spark plug(s) out and pushing the kickstarter by hand will
neither have a good result. Again, speed is too low.
- using electric drills to make the flywheel spin in our experience is
not always good either.
>> you need to kickstart by foot as normal (for some racing
applications you will even have to push start)
- putting the the loose spark plug against the engine casing to see
spark is a further source for mistake. This can definitely not be
done when you are alone. you can not kick, press the plug for good
contact against the engine metal and look at the same time.
Already much better when a second person kicks, but you very likely still have the
problem of bad contact (your engine body might be corroded, dirty, not
good for ground contact)
The whole thing definitely becomes unworkable with 2 spark plugs. You
will never manage to keep both of them in good contact with ground.
(see also special remarks on twin ignition
coils)
- there is always the problem of seeing the very focused spark of CDI
systems. See here
Note: we have customers who report they have tested high tension
with their fingers as they did not see spark. Please do not do that!. We
can have up to 40000 dangerous Volts there!
>> the most indicative method of checking spark is with a
stroboscope clamped to the high tension cable (clamp) and the spark
plug(s) firmly positioned in the cylinder head. The stroboscopic flash
will clearly indicate you whether there is spark.
NOTE: some strobes are phase sensitive. That means you might not get a
flash unless you reverse the induction clamp by 180 degrees
(with our twin coils, one exit is one way, the other the opposite way). More
info see here.
|
