troubles with ignition 123, Dead dizzy got me dizzy Options

[dtmehall]

The Enshitification Of Everything As Seen In Common Automotive Tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IegF5gcmBWE&t=51s

[123ignitionusa]

Hey guys, I am wondering, if the grounds are not solid what could happen?
He mentions using jumper cables for connections.

I feel if it were me I would make those connections after I bared the metal, with a wire wheel or equivalent, and using nuts and bolts make it as secure as possible.

It might be similar to a car but there are no cars I am aware of that run with jumper cables. The cables are fixed solidly to the battery with a proper connection that is bolted to the terminals, and the other end is bolted to the frame and then the engine. Making for solid ground connections.

So I guess the question for the electrical engineers is what happens when the grounds are questionable?

Thanks, we really want to help our young brother understand the mechanics of this installation. I'm just old school and know bad grounds are often the cause of many problems.

[Superhawk996]

So I guess the question for the electrical engineers is what happens when the grounds are questionable?

We really want to understand the mechanics of this installation.

Not an electrical engineer but mechanical with background in electronics.

My theory:

Ignition coils and their respective transformer windings are basically an inductor.

Inductors are capable of generating some hella large voltage spikes governed by the equation: v = L dI/dt

Instantaneous interruptions of current flow create high values of dI/dt.

If the coil current flow is being interrupted by a vibrating ground clamp those induced voltage spikes are going to try to go somewhere. Where do they go? Well, that is very hard to predict but I wouldn’t be surprised if they could whack a semiconductor somewhere in an unprotected circuit.

Same would pertain to any inductors or chokes that may be within the 123 distributor circuit board itself.

Will be interesting to see if we can get an EE to chime in.

Good experiment and opportunity for development testing: replace dizzy again. Bolt up ground. I’d bet a lunch that it lasts this time.

Edit: doesn’t fully explain OP’s second failure on a non-running engine but could be that if ground clamp is attached and then wiggled one way or another, it’s triggering the same failure mode of induced voltage spikes as a vibrating ground. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Maybe . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[davep]

Generally an ungrounded circuit has no reference, and the voltage can float about. That is dangerous. All connections have some sort of resistance, and a clamped connection will likely have variable resistance; if it gets too high, then it can be considered open or ungrounded.

[wbgoggans]

I really appreciate the help everyone has provided so far! sounds like we agree the most probable cause so far is a weak ground. I will still ask that if you know any member that is an electrical engineer please tag them. In the meantime I am going to go ahead and ship my dizzy back for ed to take a look at it.

I now have a new request for y'all. Anyone have any photos of their engine run setup? How are you grounding your motor out of the car and what does your wiring look like.

Thanks in advance everyone!