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Timing light

Submitted by john_carter on Thursday, 30 January, 2020 - 21:14
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Electrical

Any recommendations for an ignition timing light for a 12v positive earth system with coils? Thanks..

Submitted by john_holmes on Thursday, 30 January, 2020 - 22:46

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I use one that can be powered by a separate 12v battery than the vehicles. Been so long since I bought it I doubt it's still made but it still works fine after all these years.

Submitted by peter_shand on Thursday, 30 January, 2020 - 22:48

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This one should do the trick,  Draper 52616 Xenon Timing Light. which looks like a newer version of the one i bought years ago and still use. All for  £27

It has an inductive pick up so it doesn't matter if your bike in positive or negative earth.    

I also power it from a car battery but it can be powered by the bikes own battery. I prefer to use a car battery as clipping the leads to the bikes battery and having the engine/bike jumping about (as they do) when running is a recipe for wires falling off and entanglement.   

Regards

Peter 

Submitted by john_carter on Thursday, 30 January, 2020 - 22:57

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Thanks for your comments..

Peter, 

I bought the one you recommend and it says on the box 'not suitable for motorcycles or positive earth vehicles', (something I can't remember being in the description before I bought it on line) so i didnt use it. I'll connect it to a separate battery and give it a go.. 

Submitted by Xanna_jeannett… on Thursday, 30 January, 2020 - 23:44

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hello I bought a timing light from the Magneto guys easy to use On magnetos or coils and CDI this can be found on E-bay motorcycle parts yours  anna j

The unit that AJD mentioned is a completely different animal to the others mentioned on this thread. The one purchased from Magneto Guys is a static unit specifically intended for Magnetos where you cannot use a battery and lamp across the points as battery and lamp cannot see the difference between closed points and the primary winding of the magneto-hence the specific timing light from Mag Guys using some modern 'electro trickery' can see when the points open. Yes these units are usable on traditional battery/points systems as well but the timing is static. While the strobe lights mentioned here are for dynamic fully advanced type timing. Bear in mind they use a flash tube which has a rev limit and a limited life which gives it a lower rev limit as well but after some time. So they might give a good light at fast tickover, revving up the flash goes out-old flash tube!

PS I sell the Magneto Guys timing light.

Submitted by mikael_ridderstad on Friday, 31 January, 2020 - 11:52

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Some high end stroboscopic timing lights can show rpm and advance plus other things. You only need to have a TDC mark (or any other mark with known advance). Very useful on the 40M when I want to know advance at different engine speeds. Funny but the inductive pickup is sensitive to direction. But only to turn it around.

I have one BGS 40106 and an EQUUS 590 518. The BGS is easier as you adjust by turning a knob. Shows rpm and switches to advance when you pull the trigger. The EQUUS shows simultaneously rpm and angle, but has up/down buttons. Probably to be one hand operated. I think that you can do with a much cheaper one.

Submitted by john_sunderland on Friday, 31 January, 2020 - 19:25

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I 'obtained' an ancient Snap-On inductive strobe from a chap's wife who wanted the garage back after her hubby passed-on. It gives rpm, dwell, advance etc. It can be clipped on to the bike battery but I use it from a spare 12v car battery so it doesn't get snagged up around foot pegs etc.

John 

 



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