To Bullfrog "ED",
Ed I installed one of the Mega-Fire modules on my Ace 100 Trialer several years ago. It has worked fine for all those years. Recently I was doing some work on the electrical. When I was setting the timing, when revving the motor the timing would retard. If the mark on the flywheel is at 24 degrees then it is retarding to maybe 10-15 degrees. I have never experienced any noticeable problems.
Do you have any thoughts about this?
Sterling
Mega-Fire ignition module
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Bullfrog
- Posts: 2784
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Re: Mega-Fire ignition module
Hmmm, no, I haven't seen that with the "MegaFire" unit I put on my Bullfrog trialer. But I haven't had a timing light on it for several years. Considering the minimal cost, it might be time to replace the unit? I didn't notice a retard curve when it was installed . . . and I think I would have noticed that much retard. Note that I did slot the stator mount screws a bit to enable setting up timing a bit more advanced than stock.
However, as interesting as the pointless ignition is . . . and its relatively good service on a vintage trialer, the "MegaFire" units were designed for 3,500 RPM 4 stroke engines and they just don't do well at higher RPM. On your hundred, at 1,500 RPM the Megafire is triggering spark 3,000 times a minute due to the particulars of the flywheel magnets and the way the Megafire works. On my 125, at 1,500 RPM the Megafire is triggering spark 4,500 times a minute (again, due to flywheel magnets) . . . so it is being wayeeeee over-worked (not to mention the inherent limitations which adversely affect spark production with the stock Hodaka coils at 2 and 3 times during the exciting coil output cycles).
It will be at least February before I'll be able to throw a timing light on my 'frog to offer any new direct test information. In summary, I'd say that I'm not fully satisfied with the Megafire since engine operation starts breaking up when I want/need a full handful of throttle and maximum RPM. On the other hand, I've never had an outright spark failure due to dust or water since installing the unit.
Ed
However, as interesting as the pointless ignition is . . . and its relatively good service on a vintage trialer, the "MegaFire" units were designed for 3,500 RPM 4 stroke engines and they just don't do well at higher RPM. On your hundred, at 1,500 RPM the Megafire is triggering spark 3,000 times a minute due to the particulars of the flywheel magnets and the way the Megafire works. On my 125, at 1,500 RPM the Megafire is triggering spark 4,500 times a minute (again, due to flywheel magnets) . . . so it is being wayeeeee over-worked (not to mention the inherent limitations which adversely affect spark production with the stock Hodaka coils at 2 and 3 times during the exciting coil output cycles).
It will be at least February before I'll be able to throw a timing light on my 'frog to offer any new direct test information. In summary, I'd say that I'm not fully satisfied with the Megafire since engine operation starts breaking up when I want/need a full handful of throttle and maximum RPM. On the other hand, I've never had an outright spark failure due to dust or water since installing the unit.
Ed
Keep the rubber side down!
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