TCI Replacement 2020 It Works

The Gonzo is also "microprocessor Controlled". In fact a lot more ram and storage than I expected.

The reluctor are larger to generate a strong enough signal. The neo magnet field is much larger per lump size.

It appears that the Gonzo triggers on the transition from + pulse to the - pulse.

There is a lot of electrical noise in the area of the stator with it's 4-5 amp electromagnet rotor spinning around. I'm thinking that is what is causing Jim's SA.
 
Finally got my GN box wired into my 81. Fired right up and timing is consistent with what other videos have reported. Does seem to be a slight retard when first applying throttle but then advances as expected. I can take a vid but won't show anything you've not already seen. As soon as this rainy weather clears, I'll give it a good long test and report back.
 
After sleeping on it, I was convinced that my first box (floating trigger) is either defective... or different. The other day Jack suggested I pull the connector loose as his was easy to remove. In fact I think jacks came apart accidentally. I tried, but mine wouldn't budge. Did a partial dissection.... it's different. No wires on this connector... soldered directly to the board. And let me say... one of my students who never picked up a soldering iron could do a better solder job. It's absolutely pitiful.

d1.jpg


d2.jpg



Here's Jacks box that Steve dissected. On this one the gnd and trigger negative both go to the board ground.


d3.jpg


My box doesn't. So... I'm asking again. Anyone who hasn't, would you please ohm as depicted below and let us know what you have. Here's the tally so far:
Jeff has -2- 3 boxes...both all are grounded.
Steve has 1 box (dissected).... grounded.
Jack has 1 box.........................grounded.
Jim has 1 box...........................grounded.
Jim has 1 box (dissected)... ....... floating.
Am I correct? Pleas copy this tally and update as you check.... thanks.

d4.png



The problem with using this floating trigger box is that you have to reverse the trigger leads between boxes and that's not something I (personally) want to deal with. If the box puts me on the side of the road, I want the replacement to be plug and play.
The seller on Amazon has a 7 day free return policy. What I suggest we all do is check our boxes when we receive them and return the floaters so's we're all on the same page.
Unless of course, someone want to pursue making both boxes plug and play with each other... as I'm not interested in pursuing that goal.
 
Last edited:
Jim said:
After sleeping on it, I was convinced that my first box (floating trigger) is either defective... or different. The other day Jack suggested I pull the connector loose as his was easy to remove. In fact I think jacks came apart accidentally. I tried, but mine wouldn't budge. Did a partial dissection.... it's different. No wires on this connector... soldered directly to the board. And let me say... one of my students who never picked up a soldering iron could do a better solder job. It's absolutely pitiful.

View attachment 170470

View attachment 170471


Here's Jacks box that Steve dissected. On this one the gnd and trigger negative both go to the board ground.


View attachment 170472

My box doesn't. So... I'm asking again. Anyone who hasn't, would you please ohm as depicted below and let us know what you have. Here's the tally so far:
Jeff has 2 boxes........ both are grounded.
Steve has 1 box (dissected).... grounded.
Jack has 1 box.........................grounded.
Jim has 1 box...........................grounded.
Jim has 1 box (dissected)... ....... floating.
Am I correct? Pleas copy this tally and update as you check.... thanks.

View attachment 170476


The problem with using this floating trigger box is that you have to reverse the trigger leads between boxes and that's not something I (personally) want to deal with. If the box puts me on the side of the road, I want the replacement to be plug and play.
The seller on Amazon has a 7 day free return policy. What I suggest we all do is check our boxes when we receive them and return the floaters so's we're all on the same page.
Unless of course, someone want to pursue making both boxes plug and play with each other... as I'm not interested in pursuing that goal.
Click to expand...
That's very interesting !

BTW, I posted yesterday that I got my 3rd GN box and it too is grounded.
It gave the same readings on the meter as the other two.
 
Jim said:
Updated. Thanks Jeff.
Click to expand...
I think your "Floater" is older or something different, Phenolic board instead of fiberglass etc. Send it back. Or use it on test stand to check pickup location etc.
When I ordered my original GN250 box last year,I think the same group that you got yours from, sent me a totally different box meant for I think a Virago. I just kept it and ordered another GN250 box because it was a good deal for the Virago Igniter.

So are you running your new non-floater? What is what on the pickup connections?
Do you still have the original box to see if it's the same.
 
Last edited:
2XSive said:
Finally got my GN box wired into my 81. Fired right up and timing is consistent with what other videos have reported. Does seem to be a slight retard when first applying throttle but then advances as expected. I can take a vid but won't show anything you've not already seen. As soon as this rainy weather clears, I'll give it a good long test and report back.
Click to expand...
Excellent Larry. :D Keeping tally of running bikes here:

@Jim: 80SG Direct TCI swap.................................... Runs normally. (grounded trigger)
@azman857 80SG Originally TCI/Pamco................ Runs normally. (grounded trigger)
@YamadudeXS650C 83 Special. Direct TCI swap.. Runs normally. (grounded trigger)
@2XSive 81 Bobber. Direct TCI swap...................... Runs normally. (grounded trigger)

When you do this mod, copy and paste this table into a new comment and add your info so we can keep track please.
Maybe add that info to your signature too?
 
Jeff has -2- 3 boxes... all are grounded.
Steve has 1 box (dissected).... grounded.
Jack has -1- 2 boxes......................... grounded.
Jim has 1 box........................... grounded.
Jim has 1 box (dissected)... ....... floating.
 
:D Keeping tally of running bikes here:

@Jim: 80SG Direct TCI swap....................................Runs normally. (grounded trigger) Miles since install 100
@azman857 80SG Originally TCI/Pamco................ Runs normally. (grounded trigger) Miles since install 10
@YamadudeXS650C 83 Special. Direct TCI swap.. Runs normally. (grounded trigger) Miles since install 10
@2XSive 81 Bobber. Direct TCI swap...................... Runs normally. (grounded trigger) Miles since install 10
 
Jim said:
I'm asking again. Anyone who hasn't, would you please ohm as depicted below and let us know what you have.
Click to expand...
I couldn't get any reading with my cheap digital meter Jim. Ordered from same vendor as you, I believe. Here's what my analog meter showed...
20200623_184813.jpg
 
Jake650 said:
Been following this with interest, in spite of being lost most of the time... Anyway I got a box from Amazon about 3 weeks back and as requested by Jim went out and ohm'ed it. Got 4.20 M-ohms, so I'm guessing it is grounded??View attachment 170500
Click to expand...
Jake, yours is showing over 4 megs... that's 4 million ohms when it should be less than 1. That's how my (dissected) floating box looked.
Out of curiosity, take the probe in your left hand and ohm the pin just below it to the one on the right... just to make sure they didn't swap pins?
 
2XSive said:
I couldn't get any reading with my cheap digital meter Jim. Ordered from same vendor as you, I believe. Here's what my analog meter showed...View attachment 170501
Click to expand...
Larry, yours is too high also. Try as I suggested above to Jake.
Well shoot... looks like there's more floater boxes out there than I figured. We may have to come up with a way to deal with 'em.
Larry, when you first started your bike, did the advance go bonkers like it did in my first videos?
 

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