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  #1   IP: 73.55.66.163
Old 12-19-2014, 07:49 PM
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Comparison of electronic ignition MMI vs Indigo

It seems slow here tonight, so I thought I would ask this again.

A while back I asked about the differences between the MMI electronic ignition and the Indigo electronic ignition.

I remember a lot of great responses, but I dont think the question was really answered.

The mmi EI has just the parts that replace the points... the Indigo EI replaces the points but has an additional box.. I am wondering about the differences...

thanks guys
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Old 12-19-2014, 11:27 PM
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The two systems use different triggering mechanisms. Both have greater dwell than points, both are non-contact systems eliminating wear issues and both are known to be reliable. Increased dwell means you have to be sure your ignition system is up to snuff.

I don't have any experience with the Indigo unit so I can't discuss anything beyond their product description. My opinion is you'll need to wire the 'R' bypass on the starter with the bundled Indigo retrofit kit. In the kit they have both a 4.3 ohm coil AND a 1.5 ohm resistor for a whopping 5.8 ohm ignition system. That's a lot. I'm sure they intend for both to be installed otherwise why would both be in the kit?

My Pertronix unit (same as MMI) has been trouble free for many years.

For the record, there's a third electronic ignition system for Atomic fours: the HotSpark. I'm trying one on my spare engine. So far so good
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Old 12-19-2014, 11:37 PM
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Thanks Neil.
I still have points, and will most likely continue to do so. I am curious about why an addition box is included with the Indigo EI. I wonder why it is needed and what it does.

SO far, if I go with EI, I would get the MMI unit. Aside from that it comes from Don, it has less parts. That is always a good thing in a marine engine.
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Old 12-19-2014, 11:48 PM
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I'll defer to Dave Neptune as he has an Indigo unit. I believe however that the Indigo has only the optical trigger under the distributor and the switching electronics are in the remote module. The Hall Effect magnetic systems (MMI, Pertronix and HotSpark) have everything under the distributor cap.

I'm sure you are but I have to ask. Are you up to speed on the voltage/amperage/resistance balance required with EI?
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Old 12-20-2014, 10:39 AM
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I had an Indigo in the dark pre-resistor days. The optical trigger worked well and was easy to install. It does make a nice hot spark. The Indigo diagram does show the ignition bypass for starting. Indigo now includes the breaker plate so you can switch back to points easily.

Now the ballast resistor-coil resistance issue is known and solved by both types, I am not sure one would have a clear advantage over the other. In *both* cases the source company makes more sophisticated modules that IMHO have advantages worth pursuing. Hint-Hint Moyer and Indigo

* I can't swear Crane reads this forum, but now they have prominent warnings about the ballast resistor issue LOL

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Old 12-20-2014, 12:03 PM
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Thumbs up Ignition choices

There are a few types of ignitions out there and they all work fine doing "there" job.

First the Pertronix or an ignition style utilizing the "Hal effect" or more commonly known as a magnetic trigger. In these it is a magnetic pulse of the magnetic ring and the sensor inside the distributor does the switching that the points did. These units are usually more compact and a bit easier to install. The down side on this type of unit is the fitting of the magnetic ring can be a bit of a problem both off and on as they can be cracked and rendered useless. The problem is not so much the ring itself but the condition of the "cam" it is being installed over.

The Indigo or a "photo optic" style utilizes a photo cell (a lite) and a "shutter". The shutter fits over the cam (just like the magnetic ring) however it is a plastic piece and far more forgiving as far as getting it mounted on the "cam". This shutter has a flat disc with small slices cut out (4~6~8etc). These slices pass through the photo sensor and each time a slice or gap passes through the signal is sent to the externally mounted box to do the switching. One of the real plusses with the Indigo is that with the later models there is a red led indicator lite on the externally mounted box that can be mounted in view to confirm the switching signal, allowing you to see that it is getting the signal for diagnosing it ~ quite handy.

Volts and resistance: Both of these and most all systems like these were designed for the automotive market place. Now we in the marine market place have many different systems, types of batteries and charging systems. Most all things automotive were designed around the 13.8v that is used in almost anything automotive utilizing a single battery and a "stock" A-4. Now in our usage in the marine environment we have batteries that require higher charging voltages and demands. Another words we push the charging circuit far more than the automotive world and have experienced coil heating and some premature failures. This is not caused by Pertronix or Indigo but our taking them out of there designed voltage ranges. Then you add weak batteries that when grouped up can still start a puny A-4 and if isolated individually would not come close to starting your car!!!! These low batteries because of there weakness cause elevated charging voltages too and that also adds to the problems relating to coil voltages and failures. A simple resistor will fix this on either unit. Now don't think that points work better with these higher voltages as the points themselves will deteriorate much faster but not cook the coil~still a looming failure and constant adjusting to maintain ignition timing.

Advantages~with either type once installed and set your done!! Unless you want to change the timing all that is needed is to replace the "hard" parts of the system like plugs, cap, rotor and occasionally wires. I replace my "stock" J-12 plugs every 3 years and cap and rotor at 5 years. My wires are now about 12 years old and may get replaced in a few years. I run just over a hundred hours a year and my engine is an original 1970 (one new Eaton exhaust valve replaced in 1983 when I purchased her) and very tired, She still runs great and I have never been stuck with a non-start episode in all that time~reliability is bliss.
I will state one advantage of the Indigo or photo optic trigger styles of ignition and that is they will switch or send the switching signal at a far lower voltage which could be a big advantage for hand cranking when the battery or batteries are to weak to spin the engine!!

Go electronic and be done with it.

Dave Neptune
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Old 12-20-2014, 05:22 PM
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Every time I see this topic come up it leaves me with a question. Can anyone point me to a step by step of what happens when I hit the key. I have indigo EI but if it ever goes bad I would not even know what to suspect. I simply do not understand basic ignition.
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Old 12-20-2014, 05:55 PM
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignitio...rated_ignition

Testing the Indigo system is mainly sparking the coil with a test wire to see if the coil is dead or not. If the coil is not dead, then the EI module is.


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Originally Posted by Rbyham View Post
Every time I see this topic come up it leaves me with a question. Can anyone point me to a step by step of what happens when I hit the key. I have indigo EI but if it ever goes bad I would not even know what to suspect. I simply do not understand basic ignition.
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Old 12-20-2014, 06:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rbyham View Post
I simply do not understand basic ignition.
Grossly oversimplified the coil builds and stores a massive charge (from ~12VDC to 25,000 ~ 40,000VDC), the points or EI tells the coil when to deliver the charge, the rotor and distributor cap sends the charge to the proper spark plug. Timing is exactly what it says, making sure the charge gets to the right spark plug at the right time.

Beyond that it's all a matter of quality and durability. Simple as that. If anybody starts throwing out multi-syllable words sounding like they barfed an electronics dictionary they're either getting into minutiae that has little effect on the subject or they're intentionally trying to confuse and impress. Shine 'em on.

That goes for me too.
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Old 12-20-2014, 07:05 PM
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sing along with me

the battery is connected to the ignition switch
the ignition switch is connected to the coil, or resister, if so equipped
the coil primary is connected to the distributor and points
the points are connected to the ground when closed
the secondary center terminal of the coil is connected to the distributor cap
the rotor spins and connects the spark to the correct wire
the wire connects the spark to the spark plug
the spark plug makes the bang

it sounded better at practice today.
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Old 12-20-2014, 09:36 PM
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Quote:
These low batteries because of their weakness cause elevated charging voltages
I think weak batteries elevate the charging amperage and not the voltage. At least that's how it is on my boat.

Doubling back to the original question as to the difference between the Moyer Marine EI module and the competitor's, I presume both are fine at the end of the day. On the other hand, one helps pay for this forum, and one doesn't.

Bill
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Old 12-21-2014, 11:57 AM
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Bill, my reference was to an old "puffed out" battery that has very little reserve. When charging the amperage and voltage will rise higher to maintain a higher voltage that the battery can supply due to it's already low voltage level~this is not so with good batteries just a bit discharged.

Also the weak old puffed out batteries will really heat up even at a modest 14v unlike a "good" battery. With these old batteries it takes far more charge to see "normal" voltage levels. I am experiencing this now with my due to be replaced house bank, now at seven years old.

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Old 12-21-2014, 12:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Neptune View Post
When charging the amperage and voltage will rise higher to maintain a higher voltage that the battery can supply due to it's already low voltage level . . . . . . . I am experiencing this now with my due to be replaced house bank, now at seven years old.
What different voltages are you seeing out of the alternator Dave?
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Old 12-21-2014, 12:21 PM
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Neil my charging voltage is 13.8~14.2 and after running sits around 13.8~14 and all is well. Now that my house bank is in need of replacement after a few hours the house bank will get to 14.6 or more and be heating up~I even got them almost dry earlier in the season. These house batteries are at about half capacity (a guess) and will still run me for a long weekend and barely start the engine. If I isolate the start battery (2 years old) all is well at 13.8~14v. For my last few cruises I have isolated the house to charge and keep the higher voltage out of the start battery.

These 2 6v 235's are really abused (almost dry on two occasions) at this point and due to be replaced. I figured this out earlier in the season and just wanted to finish this season with them and start fresh next season. There at rest voltage is around 12.1 or less and really drop if I engage the starter far more so than the start battery a DS grp 27.

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Old 12-21-2014, 12:36 PM
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Well, I'm at a complete loss to explain how a battery can achieve a higher voltage (14.6) than the alternator puts out under normal circumstances. It is also interesting that you are experiencing a relatively wide voltage output range from the alternator/regulator. The regulator strives to maintain a constant output voltage. There may be some minor wiggle room but your reports are not minor. This is from www.autoshop101.com

Quote:
Voltage Regulation

The regulator will attempt to maintain a pre-determined charging system voltage level.

When charging system voltage falls below this point, the regulator will increase the field current, thus strengthening the magnetic field, which results in an increase of alternator output.

When charging system voltage raises above this point, the regulator will decrease field current , thus weakening the magnetic field, and results in a decrease of alternator output.
reference: http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodu...or/alt131.html

You'll see it's the current that's variable, not the voltage. At least that's how it's supposed to be.
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Old 12-21-2014, 12:57 PM
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Neil it is the output voltage of the alt that rises ie the whole system and it stays at about 10~15 amps positive and does not "kick back down". If I switch back to the start battery which is still good all is well and settles back to 13.8~14 and the ammeter will zero or go negative then plus as the alt kicks back up. It is a simple 3 stage on a stock alt.

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Old 12-21-2014, 01:30 PM
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That helps explain it (3 stage). I realize multistage charging technology is supposed to be the latest and greatest - at least that's what the guys that sell them are telling us - but this old phart has far too many years of solid performance from old school fixed point charging and that includes battery longevity. My deep cycle Powertron (Santa Ana) batteries are 10 years old and continue to perform well. It's funny that the new technology doesn't seem to do any better than the old in real world practice. Like I said, ten years and still counting.

I just picked up another new 105A Delco alternator, an exact match to the one I have installed on the boat, that I'm taking to Lewco tomorrow for a dyno test, AC tap for the tach and probable (depending on the results of the dyno test) internal regulator replacement. When I installed the first one I put the original 35A Motorola in a locker for a backup. Now I'll have a new and matching 105A for backup and I'll mount the original Motorola on my spare engine.

The previous spare engine alternator was off an M25 diesel I parted out last year. A couple of weeks ago I sold that alt and used the funds for the new Delco.
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Old 12-21-2014, 01:55 PM
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Neil, a bit more info on how I abuse my batteries or use them. First I start the engine let it warm for a few minutes then out of the slip for a 5+ hour crossing and the batteries are topped off. Even after sitting for a week (no refridgeration) the engine will still start on the house bank. Now I just start the engine for the "SAFETY OF MY NEIGHBORS" as I sail off the mooring late in the afternoon. The engine runs only until I clear the mooring and have control under sail or about 10~15 minutes. The engine is OFF before I clear the next row of moorings!!! The batteries are still very low and I use the stereo, the autopilot, nav equipment and VHF. I use this and even a bit of running lites if I leave later than usual. I start the engine in the turning basin drop the main and head to the slip about 5 minutes away. When I shut it down in the slip, the batteries are still low and they sit that way until the next crossing usually in 2 weeks, no shore charging at all!!! ~~~REPEAT~~~REPEAT year in and year out.
May not be the best treatment but I have had more trouble with chargers killing batteries than stressing them a bit the way I "mis-use" them.

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Old 12-22-2014, 07:42 AM
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3 stage charging is the latest and greatest. I sold a ton of 3 stage regulators back in the day. We used to install two of them and a switch because they tended to die a lot more often than a single stage regulator.
For my own boat I got a regulator that came with a big 200 amp alternator. No one wanted it because it was a one stage regulator. It does have a voltage adjustment and the thing is bomb-proof. Going on 20 years of good service at this point. The "stages" are me turning it up or down

One issue of multi-stage charging that has never been fully solved is how to tell a load from a low battery. Imagine your wife likes to dry her hair underway. You leave the slip with full batteries and your wife starts the blow dryer. At the 1000 watt setting it will be drawing around 95 amps or so. The 3 stage regulator senses the load and decides OMG the batteries are VERY LOW and cranks up the voltage to the bulk setting. Problem is the batteries are full. This has been addressed in a few ways. Sterling regulators have a "force float mode switch". Some regulators have temperature sensors on the battery and will back off the charging voltage if the batteries start heating up*. We sold a system that used a battery shunt and alternator shunt combined with an AH meter. If the batteries were 99% full and 100 amps was going out of the alternator and 95 of those amps were feeding house loads and not the battery, the system was smart enough to stay in float mode. Sadly with system was never fully bug free and was discontinued. No one I know of has tried it again.

* temp sensors are fantastic with one caution. If they have a way to fail low, and I have heard some do, the system will decide it is time for winter charging voltages no matter how hot the batteries are
Here is a photo - I don't know if these things even are made now, but the Hehr Aqualine regulator has proved to be indestructable


Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
That helps explain it (3 stage). I realize multistage charging technology is supposed to be the latest and greatest - at least that's what the guys that sell them are telling us - but this old phart has far too many years of solid performance from old school fixed point charging and that includes battery longevity. My deep cycle Powertron (Santa Ana) batteries are 10 years old and continue to perform well. It's funny that the new technology doesn't seem to do any better than the old in real world practice. Like I said, ten years and still counting.

I just picked up another new 105A Delco alternator, an exact match to the one I have installed on the boat, that I'm taking to Lewco tomorrow for a dyno test, AC tap for the tach and probable (depending on the results of the dyno test) internal regulator replacement. When I installed the first one I put the original 35A Motorola in a locker for a backup. Now I'll have a new and matching 105A for backup and I'll mount the original Motorola on my spare engine.

The previous spare engine alternator was off an M25 diesel I parted out last year. A couple of weeks ago I sold that alt and used the funds for the new Delco.

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Old 12-22-2014, 08:35 AM
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Good info Joe. Doesn't tempt me to consider one in the slightest. Often times there's merit in the KISS Principle and for me this is one of them. Lump in my disdain for ACR's and I guess I could be considered a huge KISS fan (♫ and party ev-er-eee day!)
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Old 12-22-2014, 07:09 PM
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I have a Balmer 100 amp alternator. Have the Balmer ARS 3 multi step regulator. Both are 1997 and have worked well.

Pictures attached. Probably huge. Use the right click and view image..
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Old 10-08-2017, 08:49 PM
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Exclamation Critical update - -be advised

The Hot Spark electronic ignition I tested on my spare engine failed after three years of very little use.

The symptom started with a no-start episode, preliminary testing showed zero spark out of the coil secondary lead. Voltage at the coil + post with ignition on was battery voltage confirming the ignition wiring was intact. The existing coil, a 10 year old oil filled Flamethrower protected by a ballast resistor, showed minor signs of physical damage (rust around the canister top seam) so on principle I replaced it with a NAPA Echlin IC14 - still no joy. I then tested the EI function by bypassing it with a momentary jumper from coil - to ground. Now we have spark out of the coil.

This last test pointed to the EI so I installed the old points plate as a confirming test and the engine started right up. Hot Spark EI installed = no nuthin', replaced with points = running engine. That's pretty conclusive.

I took the Hot Spark EI a step further and followed the mfr's testing instructions such as they were which by the way, indicated a functioning system. The test measured static resistance of the EI module, nothing more. I further felt but did not confirm the Flamethrower coil was probably still good but given its physical appearance it was retired. Also, failure of one component may have caused failure of the other (coil ←/→ EI) but if so, which came first?
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Old 10-09-2017, 10:58 AM
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Neil, good post. That is a plus for the Indigo unit IMHO as it has an indicator LED that flashes as the "unit" does the switching.. Most electronic units are not really repairable and any diagnosis is either the external parts are good or not as testing of the EI internals just is not possible without breaking it apart~not very feasible.

As stated many times I ran an EI on my A-4 for over thirty years and no failures. I did have an episode of a slight loss of power kinda like a stutter. This happened about half way across the Catalina channel. I pulled the wire off of the resistor and she ran like normal. I ran like that the rest of the way to the island and about half way back due to the wind. When I returned I did replace the coil with the MMI unit, hooked up the resistor and did not have another blip whatsoever.

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Old 10-09-2017, 11:15 AM
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I've had the same great performance from my Pertronix EI on the boat with much more usage. I won't conclude the Hot Spark is low quality and problematic, perhaps mine fell under the statistical failure rate of any manufactured product but nevertheless a failure is a failure. I think the episode reinforces the wisdom of carrying spares even if the spare in this case is the old points plate.

I advocate spares that require adjustment (points, carburetor) be pre-adjusted before storage. That's what I did with the points plate. It came out of a working distributor as-is so it was ready to go with a simple two screw, one wire installation.
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Old 02-18-2018, 09:56 AM
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To further the discussion...

Received this from Indigo:

Thank you for purchasing an Indigo Electronics Ignition Kit for your Atomic 4. Over the years we have learned a tremendous amount about the operating characteristics of the A4 with electronic ignition, always making changes and upgrades to make your motoring as reliable and care free as possible. When the issue of hot coils arose several years ago, we came out with our Ballast Resistor Upgrade which went a long way toward reducing the coil operating temperature and thus extending coil life.

We have just this year introduced an upgraded Electronics Module which basically eliminates the hot coil syndrome altogether. The Crane/FAST XR3000 module is now being supplied in lieu of the XR700 module. What this new module does is greatly reduce the Dwell Angle (from about 67 degrees down to about 26 degrees at 1440 RPM) which therefore removes a tremendous amount of heat from the coil. Additionally, the module has a current limiting function which limits the maximum coil current to 4.5 Amps and additionally prevents coil and module burnout if the ignition switch is left on without the engine running. The bottom line is that the XR3000 module can be used with essentially any coil with NO BALLAST RESISTOR to provide an excellent spark with a coil that remains at about 125F. A more detailed writeup on the new module can be found here: http://www.atomic4.com/ignition.html and http://www.atomic4.com/dwell.htm

The new module simply plugs in and attaches just like the existing module. You can most likely use your existing coil but with NO BALLAST RESISTOR. If you desire the new coil that we are supplying with the XR3000 Module, you can purchase one at the special price of $xxplus about $10 shipping if purchased separately. Your existing XR700 module and ballast resistor can be retained as an emergency backup.
__________________
John Novotny
1973 Tartan 30 #186
Baltimore, MD
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