Powe Arc Ignition not working

well learning these facts aot the power arc ius cool. I did not know the details on the aggresive map vs the mild one. I suspect there could be a chance a new map can be set up that will work with the stock setup. Its just kind of a additional feature to me. The main reason I got it was ease of use and others seem to have no problem with the build quality. I always also buy american if its comparible. For two reasons, I support american business first, and it comes quicker...

comnoz said:

cjandme said:

Gee, now I'm wondering if I went with the right one.......Well I'm no racer-x and my power-arc did help me to get my old barn find running so yeah I'm good with it ...for now anyway,,,who knows maybe I'll jump on the next band wagon that comes along. Cj

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I think the power arc is ok for most applications. You do need to make sure the cam bushing is in good shape and the timing chain is in adjustment. The testing I have done has shown a little runout in the trigger wheel or jitter from a loose camchain will cause the power arc to momentarily loose sync and give a few miss-timed sparks until it syncs again. The build quality seems pretty good. I haven't seen any big gains from the multiple spark output. You need to maintain a pretty tight plug gap. Jim

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I gotta ask, Jim, what are you running?

cjandme said:

Gee, now I'm wondering if I went with the right one.......Well I'm no racer-x and my power-arc did help me to get my old barn find running so yeah I'm good with it ...for now anyway,,,who knows maybe I'll jump on the next band wagon that comes along. Cj

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well it is the most expensive so it must be the best! :mrgreen: (kidding of course)

pvisseriii said:

comnoz said:

cjandme said:

Gee, now I'm wondering if I went with the right one.......Well I'm no racer-x and my power-arc did help me to get my old barn find running so yeah I'm good with it ...for now anyway,,,who knows maybe I'll jump on the next band wagon that comes along. Cj

Click to expand...

I think the power arc is ok for most applications. You do need to make sure the cam bushing is in good shape and the timing chain is in adjustment. The testing I have done has shown a little runout in the trigger wheel or jitter from a loose camchain will cause the power arc to momentarily loose sync and give a few miss-timed sparks until it syncs again. The build quality seems pretty good. I haven't seen any big gains from the multiple spark output. You need to maintain a pretty tight plug gap. Jim

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I gotta ask, Jim, what are you running?

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I am running the ignition that is part of my fuel injection system. One long duration spark from a GM HEI coil. Jim

The 37 degree advance works for drag racing.

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Hmm, Peel is meant to do 1/4 and full miles now and then so piqued on this new data point. I know about heat soak and ways manifolds, air and fuel chilled by dry ice for denser charging but not that it slowed combustion so much it needs 10 more degree's advance to make best torque pressure. More confused the more I learn here. I can see some extra adv needed as rpm rises but at some point in some case combustion speeds up enough spark retard helps maximize pressure. Online calculators say Peel combo can take ~17 CR w/o backing off max timing but no data on what that timing might be. Will stick on a knock sensor with head set and tweak timing till power drops or detonation occurs then back off till just don't.

One vital sales point for my Powerarc that may not worry others is a rev limiter. Does Old Brits have that feature?

BTW Jim's bike is 'puter controlled ignition and fuel injector so can ignore these threads. If I live long enough Peel will have to try his out and see if she can take most of what it can supply in heating nitrogen.

mikegray660 said:

cjandme said:

Gee, now I'm wondering if I went with the right one.......Well I'm no racer-x and my power-arc did help me to get my old barn find running so yeah I'm good with it ...for now anyway,,,who knows maybe I'll jump on the next band wagon that comes along. Cj[/quotewell it is the most expensive so it must be the best! :mrgreen: (kidding of course)

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yeah it was a little pricey! But I knew it would come in a couple days heh

I think the power arc is ok for most applications. You do need to make sure the cam bushing is in good shape and the timing chain is in adjustment. The testing I have done has shown a little runout in the trigger wheel or jitter from a loose camchain will cause the power arc to momentarily loose sync and give a few miss-timed sparks until it syncs again. The build quality seems pretty good. I haven't seen any big gains from the multiple spark output. You need to maintain a pretty tight plug gap. Jim[/quote]

Good gouge, thanks for the tip Jim.

cjandme said:

I think the power arc is ok for most applications. You do need to make sure the cam bushing is in good shape and the timing chain is in adjustment. The testing I have done has shown a little runout in the trigger wheel or jitter from a loose camchain will cause the power arc to momentarily loose sync and give a few miss-timed sparks until it syncs again. The build quality seems pretty good. I haven't seen any big gains from the multiple spark output. You need to maintain a pretty tight plug gap. Jim

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Good gouge, thanks for the tip Jim.[/quote]


Last night I tightened the plug gaps up and it made a difference. Not much riding yet though.

On my A10, it had a magneto with an adjustable advance. It was a lever on the handlebar and you could tune the engine on the fly! It was really quite dramatic climbing a hill, one could adjust the advance and you could feel the power come in. Change in weather conditions, change in air density, a slight adjustment, find the sweet spot and the engine would come on song. Just wondering if the programmed advance curve meets all these variable conditions?

Varying ign curve is handy feature. So far this only available in kits from Jim Comstock with his fuel injection or Powerarc. Ask other manufacturers for a special curve or two. You can tell Phil what special usable- curve to program in or spend a bit more for 4 curve unit and DIY at home. BTW Programmable means it can be changed to suit conditions. Be part of the field testers or wait for the reports next few years to decide.

norsa1 said:

On my A10, it had a magneto with an adjustable advance. It was a lever on the handlebar and you could tune the engine on the fly! It was really quite dramatic climbing a hill, one could adjust the advance and you could feel the power come in. Change in weather conditions, change in air density, a slight adjustment, find the sweet spot and the engine would come on song. Just wondering if the programmed advance curve meets all these variable conditions?

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The power-arc is only rpm dependent.
The ignition in my injection system is rpm- load- altitude- engine temp- air temp and running time dependent. But no lever on the handlebar. Jim

PowerArc from OldBritts has a rev limiter, it is set at 6800 or they will change it for you.

Doug, thanx for the rev limiter confirmation and adjustable limit option. Not that much more involved to get set up to program at home. Comoz EI EFI kit does like 4x's more that just a Powerarc ignition, but also costs over 5x's more than general market can bare.

Here's an experimental risk taker using PowerArc in a Commando type engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG1bZwaJ ... re=related