An LED Ignition Timing Light experiment

Gimme gimme. How about a simple tons wire Schu for that if your not making a kit?
Pamco needs timing too. Just like u said, adjust the timing to tame the tiger from these early bikes.

????????? "simple tons wire Schu" ???????

Haha, you had me with that one. Had to read it aloud several times, then caught it.

Well, hold on to yer panties. Something is brewing out there.

Now, your turn.
Read aloud several times:

HOOF HARTED?
ICE MELTED!
 
this is true, but if its firing in the same place, whether exhaust or compression I'm sure it would still work. i use my inductive timing light on the plug wire all the time. i dunno, I'm not the most electronic savvy guy in the world, but i like experimenting haha
 
I updated post #11 with a revised schematic, and added a parts list.
The schematic remains functionaly unchanged.
Just clarifying some values and making it easier to find parts.

Changes in this revision:

Add reference designators, used in the parts list.

Change diode D2 from 1N4004 to 1N4007, cheaper and easier to find.

Show the voltage rating for the 4.7uF electrolytic cap as 50v. A 25v cap can be used here.

Change the values of the 300pF 300v capacitor to a more easily found 330pF 500v ceramic disc cap.
This capacitor must have a voltage rating of at least 300v.
The value can be anything from 300pF (min) to 10nF (0.01uF) max.
Smaller value preferred. And, a smaller value may get you a smaller physical size.

Show the pinout positions of the transistors' Emitter, Base, Collector pins.

Parts list uses the reference designators in the schematic.
 
Freaking genius. This is what I'm talkin' bout! I thought I was King Ding a Ling for fixing the transistor in my Pamco. Haha! You're launching space shuttles. Rock On 2M!
 
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Holy cow 2M - all I can say is...holy cow. :bow2: I've been reading car and motorcycle forums (fora?) for a long time and without a doubt, you are one of the most creative people I've ever encountered.

Have you ever come out with a kit for the timing light system? How about a rear-side headlight bucket digital display of the degrees of timing advance....no, maybe not useful and too distracting for the younger folks or those who have large shoe collections or have their own businesses.

I can solder and assemble things - my major problem is time. My job is busy, requires a lot of travel and so assembling a bunch of parts is a challenge.

Lemme know my friend - I am a fan and I'm in.

kablatta..kablatta..kablatta..kablatta....
 
Holy cow 2M - all I can say is...holy cow. :bow2: I've been reading car and motorcycle forums (fora?) for a long time and without a doubt, you are one of the most creative people I've ever encountered.

Have you ever come out with a kit for the timing light system? How about a rear-side headlight bucket digital display of the degrees of timing advance....no, maybe not useful and too distracting for the younger folks or those who have large shoe collections or have their own businesses.

I can solder and assemble things - my major problem is time. My job is busy, requires a lot of travel and so assembling a bunch of parts is a challenge.

Lemme know my friend - I am a fan and I'm in.

kablatta..kablatta..kablatta..kablatta....
I dig what you're saying. Hahaha! Pretty sure ol' boy tugs it with a thumb up his arse. Wait, I need to be politically correct, "Metrosexual"
 
... Rock On 2M!

Thanx, JRay77. Rockin' anda rollin'.

Holy cow 2M - all I can say is...holy cow...

Haha, thanx Pete.
I swear to cow, isn't that Hindu?

...Have you ever come out with a kit for the timing light system? How about a rear-side headlight bucket digital display of the degrees of timing advance...

Pete, kits and such are beyond my means. I'm more of a tinkerer, and publish plans like this. It's mostly a hobbyist kinda thing. I'd rather someone else do that. Besides, I don't think there's a significant market.

Now, a spark advance display HAS been on my mind for a long time, with the ability to adjust it on the fly. It's not a new idea, just haven't seen it on our bikes...
 
An update to this thread.

Member Dogbunny has some electronics knowledge, and wanted to tackle a TCI version of this thing. The TCI ignition presents a different kind of signal at the grounding side of the ignition coil. Instead of the typical Kettering ringing found on points ignition, the TCI ignition shows a very rapid field collapse, demonstrating a rapid, sharp, singular high-voltage spike at the moment of spark. This trace was captured on DogBunny's bike. The vertical voltage spike is actually much higher. I inadvertently forgot to reduce the timescale during capture. But, it still shows the intense singular spike.
DB-TCI-trace.jpg

This different signal would require changes to the original design...
 
So, I cooked up three variations of a modified TCI Timing Light.

Three Schematics for three versions of a TCI timing light.

1. The "Self-powered" version is similar to the original points type LED timing light.
It has these wire-outs:
- The TCI signal line (for signal and power)
- The LED drive line
- Ground
The LED plate provides ground for the LEDs
TCI- Tri 40ma LED - SelfPwr- V1.jpg


2. The "12v-powered" version is simpler, since it doesn't have to store power from the TCI signal line. Best implementation is inside the TCI box.
It has these wire-outs:
- (+12v)
- The TCI signal line
- The LED drive line (the only line to exit the box)
- Ground
The LED plate provides ground for the LEDs
TCI- Tri 40ma LED - 12vPwr - V1.jpg


3. The "Brush-powered" version is simplest, uses +12v from alternator brush.
It has these wire-outs:
- The TCI signal line
- The LED drive line
- Ground
The LED plate provides power for the LEDs, using the +12v brush.
TCI- Tri 40ma LED - BrushPwr - V2.jpg
 
So, with DogBunny's permission, we'll show his implementation of his TCI version LED Ignition Timing Light.

He opted for the third circuit, powering the LEDs from the supplied +12v at the alternator's brush block. He doesn't use the electric starter, it's kick-only, which means that the starter safety system isn't used. That frees up the alternator's yellow wire, which he repurposed to drive the LEDs. He only wanted to use two LEDs, so he modified his circuit, and added a DPDT switch to isolate the gadget when not in use.
TCI-DB-1.jpg


He put the entire circuit and switch onto a small breadboard.
TCI-DB-2.jpg


His simple wiring has the orange wires tapping into the orange TCI grounding wire, and the yellow wire connects to the repurposed yellow wire coming from the alternator (for the non-used starter safety relay).
 
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He designed a 2-LED plate, using commercial LED holders.
TCI-DB-3.jpg

TCI-DB-4.jpg


Notice that the backside of the LEDs are blacked-out, to eliminate backside flashing.
 
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His 2-LED plate is mounted to the stator housing, LEDs aimed at the 'idle'and 'advance' zones. Power to the LEDs comes from the powered inner brush (80-up alternators). The repurposed yellow wire triggers the LEDs.
TCI-DB-7.jpg


He also installed a clear "Artek" stator cover. From this thread:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/clear-aluminum-stator-covers.44619/

His LED Ignition Timing Light project works!
TCI-DB-8.jpg
 
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Will there be an adaption for the pamco? Would/could the power source be the battery as opposed to the yellow wire from the stator?
 
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