Universal ignition module

[wheeledhorseman 574]

Having recently fitted one of these 'universal' ignition modules I was intrigued by the manufacturer's claim that it will work with 95% of small gas engines (with magneto ignition of course).

 

 

 

They're available both sides of the Atlantic and appear under more than one brand name from different suppliers.

 

What I was wondering is....... has anyone identified any engines that fall into the 5% of cases where it won't work as it would be useful to know for future reference.

 

Andy

Edited June 20, 2013 by wheeledhorseman

[WH nut 553]

Never heard of them

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,102]

If there is more than one magnet on the flywheel it does not know which one to use. Tried it.

 

Garry

[Kai Thomsen 17]

It did not work for me on a 18hp Briggs opposed twin. Module works fine on a single cylinder Briggs coil, but not on the dual output coil.

[wheeledhorseman 574]

I was hoping for a few more responses but I guess with the show on to be expected. Thanks though and here's the score.

 

As I had to get a replacement module for a Kawasaki engine and I was intreagued by the claim I decided to buy one of these to test out on each of the magneto engines I'm runing. No great hopes but an opportunity to experiment and learn.

 

 

If there is more than one magnet on the flywheel it does not know which one to use. Tried it.

 

Garry

 

This was my suspicion Garry, so thanks for confirming this. I think it is the reason why magneto coils started appearing mounted outside the flywheel with just one magnet on the outer surface even if there were others inside as part of an alternator. We can pretty much discount the use of this unit with any 'older' magneto ignition engines where an alternator is also included behind the flywheel.

 

 

It did not work for me on a 18hp Briggs opposed twin. Module works fine on a single cylinder Briggs coil, but not on the dual output coil.

 

Interesting observation Kai. I havent tried it yet on my 16hp Briggs twin but in a way I'm not surprised. Electronic ignition modules for small engines were invented and patented by Atom Industries, an Australian company. Here's an informative bit of reading.

 

Atom's patented Electronic Ignition System was originally made for the Atom Chainsaw. Patents have now expired but its (previously patented) circuitry is now used by others on many engines in Europe, USA and Asia. The Atom Ignition Module was also developed as a spare part to replace mechanical breaker points and condenser for magneto ignition engines, and until Atom's production ceased in 2005, many millions had been sold worldwide. In 1975, the Atom Electronic Ignition was the winner of "Invention of the Year" on the ABC-TV program, "The Inventors".
 

The thing is that Atom produced seven different modules to cover as many different engines as possible. As a result of the patent expiring a 'universal' module has appeared on the market manufactured in the Far East somewhere. It appears as the 'Nova II' or 'Mega Fire II' but given that Atom had to design and market seven different units I was suspicious of the 'fits 95% of engines' claim from the start. I suspect what is meant is that it will work with most engines currently in production.

 

Kawasaki small engines were fitted with two different ignition modules (known to some I believe as 'triggers' or 'ignitors').

 

 

The photos are of aftermarket copies from a vendor in Thailand not the OEM product. They are distinguishable by the blade connector being on the left or right. There is some evidence from vendors of the Nova II / Mega Fire II that it can be used to replace the type shown on the left - just my luck as both my Kawasaki engines have the type on the right.

 

What's the difference? I guess it's all about timing and or a different coil assembly being used as I get a good spark with the Nova II but the engine doesn't run. My investigation continues. I'll try swapping modules over between my engines ( FC290V & FC540V) to prove a point as I have one known good OEM unit. I'll also be ordering one of the aftermarket versions to evaluate next.

 

I'd welcome any comments / observations and further reports of where a Nova II / Mega Fire II does / doesn't work.

 

Andy

 

 

[JamesBe1 82]

I was wondering what triggered it to fire till Garry pointed out that it is the flywheel magnets.  The module is probably not much more than a hall effect sensor and an SCR.  You will need a magnet to trigger it.  It would probably be unwise to try to modify your flywheel to hold a magnet as that would throw it out of balance.  But it might be feasible to install a magnet somewhere on the crankshaft for that purpose.

 

This might be worth considering as an alternative to an electronic ignition module:

 

I put one on one of my K482's, but they are out of commission for mechanical problems.  Still, for the time I had it running, there were no problems at all. I haven't had the chance to use one long term.  Perhaps I will install one on one of my C-series