Pertronics look alike, Anyone try these Options

[Bartlett 914]

I see on ebay a set of what looks like a pertronics knock off. Has anyone tried these? For 40 bucks it looks like it might be a good deal.

Petronics Knockoff

[wertygrog]

There was a thread about the Hot Spark unit about a month ago...seems most people found that they overheated and failed after a few weeks/months use... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Jake Raby]

Sure.. Support the Chinese government even more by buying the piece of shit that they stole from a US based company.

In a few years when no US based component manufactutrers are left, you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

But who cares, it was cheap.

Bullshit.

[Bartlett 914]

Sure.. Support the Chinese government even more by buying the piece of shit that they stole from a US based company.

In a few years when no US based component manufactutrers are left, you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

But who cares, it was cheap.

Bullshit.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

With all the talk about the pertronics failing with the ignition on for a few minutes, I thought this might be a unit that has this fault corrected. The Pertronics II has this resolved (or so I have read) but never put this into the model that will fit in the 914. Too bad Pertronics doesn't care enough to trash the old design and provide a working product without bugs.

There was this thread a month ago:
Installing petronics

but there has been no mention of the unit on ebay.

I do prefer to by USA stuff. We assume the mentioned unit is Chinese and it probably is. Where is the Pertronics unit made?

[Jake Raby]

The Pertronix unit is more than likely made in China as well. BUT at least it has quality control done by Pertronix and since Pertronix is a US based company at least some of the money is staying at home.

Soon, nothing else US made will exist. We are buying our way into becoming the "United States of China"

People wonder why our country is broke, we are sending all our money to a bunch of communist bastards that wish every damn one of us were dead.

But we'll keep buying, because we are cheap bastards.

[E-Man]

Back in the 20th century (when I was a kid) "Made in China" meant it was a piece of crap. Probably was Taiwan, though. Close enough.

Some things just don't change, I guess.

Buy quality and it will last.

[Root_Werks]

My wife gets frustrated with me sometimes. I'll walk out of a store if I cannot find something made in the US, Canada or at least Mexico. Keep it local I say. I have even not done a project over a weekend because I couldn't find something NOT made in China etc.

[Rav914]

The cost of shipping has become quite excessive this past year or so. These little items are now even costing too much to produce in China. There will be a trend of light manufacturing moving back to the US.

[Jake Raby]

There will be a trend of light manufacturing moving back to the US.

I doubt it. When I get quotes for outsourced manufacturing some Chinese companies bid on the items. Their prices are 5-6X less than most US companies and they offer to pay the shipping to me.

More and more every part is moving to China. Soon it will be impossible to buikld an engine using non Chinese parts unless we continue to make custom items in small runs here in the US under our care.

But no one will buy it because its 4X more money than a similar engine comprised of Chinese shit. We're fucked.

[Demick]

China crap aside, is it really worth the risk of being stranded on the side of the road for such a small savings? Ignition system isn't somewhere to cut corners - especially when good options are not expensive to start with.

[Bartlett 914]

China crap aside, is it really worth the risk of being stranded on the side of the road for such a small savings? Ignition system isn't somewhere to cut corners - especially when good options are not expensive to start with.

Man did this thread ever get hijacked!

Pertronics makes a unit many like. Others hate it because it fails. Pertronics made their unit II which is supposed to work better but not for our cars! I really don't want points. I also don't want the optical unit because I don't want a box mounted somewhere. If pertronics made a unit for our cars that offered assurances it won't burn up, then that is what I would get but they DON'T! If Pertronics doesn't care enough to make a product for us that works, then how can you blame someone else who makes one that does? The price difference between the two isn't that great. It's not all about saving 20 bucks. It's about the search for a workable reasonably priced unit. The purpose for this thread is to see if this has been tried and is it prone to similar failures of the Pertronics one.

Please don't think I am a CSOB Wallmart shopper because I am not. I do try to buy US goods. This thread is not about China.

[championgt1]

China crap aside, is it really worth the risk of being stranded on the side of the road for such a small savings? Ignition system isn't somewhere to cut corners - especially when good options are not expensive to start with.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) The Pertronix on my car was installed in 2003 by the previous owner. In 8 years it has covered about 21,000 miles with no problems.

[Demick]

Most failed Pertronix units are from people reversing the power connectors. Sure, it would be nice if you could hook it up backward and not harm the unit, but it's really not that hard to get it right.

2nd most common failure is to leave the key on without the engine running. Once again, just don't do it. Find another way to listen to your tunes while parked.

As long as you avoid doing both of those things, the Pertronix appears to be very reliable. Mine is 8 or 9 years old and has performed flawlessly.

Demick

[Rotary'14]

I always thought it was sound advice to carry a spare set of points,, cheap chinese crap,, pertronix unit. Which ever your choice depends on your wallet. I do believe most members suggest this. Thus you will never be stranded out in the middle of no where.

I did use a pertronix in an 050 distributor, and it worked pretty good. Just try to remember to turn off your ignition. I picked up a used mallory and am using that now.

On another note,, Unless things change drastically,, folks we just gotta get used to the idea that china is going to be the place where most of our stuff will be made in the future. It's sort of an acellerated (sp?) version of what our American industries did to europe in the earlier portion of the century.

[Allan]

Spend the extra 30 bucks and get the real deal.