Test a Dyna Ignition off the bike

That was a fantastic explanation. Thank you for writing all that. This should be copied into the FAQ folks are working on.

DOHC wrote: That was a fantastic explanation. Thank you for writing all that. This should be copied into the FAQ folks are working on.

Yes.

One more for the expert, I know there is the older and newer version of the Dyna S . Older being taller and bulkier. New being shorter, thinner with a rectangular block on the top. Are they functionally the same? Dwell timing, and both Hall effect? Either have an advantage? Newer technology equals better?

They are most likely the same functionally. Newer technology probably allows them to be smaller which allows them to use the same pickup/driver module on more bikes by being able to fit physically. Hopefully it's more reliable, but the original was more than adequately reliable.

Loud one! You are the electronic Guru! OK! Now let me run this one by you. Last year I parted out some 2 cyl V twin Honda VTR1000.
So a Guy in Chicago bought a lot of items. Got into a phone conversation about ignitions. I was selling the coils.
He said all of those VTR guys were using newer car single coil packs on their plugs. He told me why not the 4 cyl kaws? 2 cyls fire at the same time. Sorta makes sense? Or it might just be an ugly thing? Having them on your spark plugs? I'm sure if it works? someone would have done it??? Just a thought.

DYNA being in California is probably closed down to the CVid.
But you could contact DYNA by email. They would give you a work order #. Then you could send them your parts. with a prepaid label for USPS priority envelope. Or a folded up envelope with label. I did about 3 yrs. ago. I sent them 4 or 5 pick ups and the classic slotted base plate with added adjustment slots. Few weeks later They sent me back a new plate with 2 good pick ups from myself, or they gave me one. cause I thought I only had 1 good one. But, NO charge. Just the mailing back and forth. $14.00 bucks it cost for a good as new DYNA S.
There is the basic OHM meter open or closed circuit test with the units? Touching the wires back and forth between them, I forget sequence and colors.

z1kzonly wrote: ...He said all of those VTR guys were using newer car single coil packs on their plugs. He told me why not the 4 cyl kaws? 2 cyls fire at the same time. Sorta makes sense? Or it might just be an ugly thing? Having them on your spark plugs? I'm sure if it works? someone would have done it??? Just a thought.

Yes, I've thought about it. I personally find them ugly. Seems like they would be jiggly on the end of the spark plugs when you hit bumps etc.

So are they just coils on the plugs or do they have an igniter built in?

If they are just a coil then you still need an igniter. And if the coils have very low resistance, you will need an igniter with short dwell. The factory dwell would be too long and the Dyna S would be way too long.

If the coils are about 1.5 ohms or so, you could put two in series. This would put the overall resistance at about the right level, but each coil would only be working at 6v.


If the coils also include an igniter, you will need some sort of circuit between the pickup and the coil pack to get the dwell and timing correct.

These problems can all be overcome, but with the ugliness factor, I never looked into it.

One of my projects that ais on the back burner is to use Hyundai car coils, which are dual-post coils. They are nice and small, can fit under the tank of a 550, and are super cheap. But it will be awhile before I get into that.

WOW !!!! This is such a great red herring.....just learned a ton of stuff, many thanks to Lou