Result of Tri Spark

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plj850

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May 31, 2009
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Hi to all those who were interested my Tri-Spark was replaced. It was reprted that the unit was dead on arrival. The potting compound was removed and was then tested again and it seemed to be perfectly OK. I have the replacement here now. One intersting point is that the potting comppund is now blue my old unit had black. Very pleased with the service I received. Maybe someone on the forum can comment on the potting compound and if the change in colour means a different type of compound is being used? (I have n experience of potting compounds)
 
Hmm...hate to hear this (trispark failure) ! But I still have my points/aau! :)
 
ludwig said:
plj850 said:
.. the unit was dead on arrival..
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did they tell you what was the cause of its decease ??
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No all I was told is that the potting compund/process had caused a problem and that the unit when the potting coat had been removed worked fine.?
 
Thanks for updating - looks like an isolated case, even if it is still rather baffling!

I doubt if any thermal/vibration related issues would've presented such symptoms?
 
Was the Tri spark DOA or did it work for a while? If it was DOA that's one thing but if some problem with the potting compound caused it to fail letter, that's quite another issue...

I love my trispark but if there is some potting problem that causes them to fail down the road, that's sucker's outa' here and the points/AAU are going back in.
 
mike996 said:
I love my trispark but if there is some potting problem that causes them to fail down the road, that's sucker's outa' here and the points/AAU are going back in.
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I believe it worked for a while, however this is ONE isolated case-as far as we know, and no others have been known to fail due to this, or any other recurring problem?
 
mike996 said:
Was the Tri spark DOA or did it work for a while? If it was DOA that's one thing but if some problem with the potting compound caused it to fail letter, that's quite another issue...

I love my trispark but if there is some potting problem that causes them to fail down the road, that's sucker's outa' here and the points/AAU are going back in.
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The Tri-Spark was used for 6 months no problem but packed up after a short ride and only when I returned to the bike after popping into a shop and tried to start the bike. It was dead when sent to TS and it was confirmed dead when first looked at by TS before the potting compound was removed.

This is a single failure so it would be unfair to judge the unit on this and as I stated I am quite happy with the service and have been sent a replacement from TS.
 
Hmmm...

I am quick to like a product that does well but just as quick to abandon it and admit I made a mistake if, down the road, it doesn't. I'd be very interested in feedback from Trispark; CNW might too! ;)

I realize that it's true that one (or a few) failure may not be all that significant. But relatively speaking, there aren't that many Trisparks out on the road so the percentage of a few failed boxes constitutes a much higher number than the same number of Boyer failures would, for example.
 
The potting compound on my TriSpark wasn't fully cured when I got the unit. Most likely a mixing problem during manufacturing. The epoxy flowed out of the unit then hardened from the heat. It made a bit of a mess in the timing cover, and left a void inside the ignition module, but the ignition still worked fine. I happen to have access to such compounds and was able to refil the void, but Steve sent me a new unit anyway. The original one is still mounted and working flawlessly after 4000 miles. I have complete faith in it and would not hesitate to recommend one to a friend.

Result of Tri Spark


Result of Tri Spark
 
mike996 said:
But relatively speaking, there aren't that many Trisparks out on the road so the percentage of a few failed boxes constitutes a much higher number than the same number of Boyer failures would, for example.
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A world of difference between 'one' and 'a few'!

One = Isolated fault, no corrective action required
A Few = many possible root causes; possible pattern fault. Root cause analysis, corrective action and rectification verification required.

The power of words, eh!?
 
Hey, so what's everyone gapping their plugs at with the trispark? Same as the manual, or does it require a different setting?
 
pelican said:
Hey, so what's everyone gapping their plugs at with the trispark? Same as the manual, or does it require a different setting?
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I didn't alter the plug gaps.
 
Agreed..."one" is not "a few." OTOH, if one unit has bad potting compound it's hard for me to imagine that others, at least those made in the same 'batch" don't as well. When I get back to Mexico/my Commando, I'll pull the Trispark to see if there is any evidence of the potting melting. If there is, I guess I'll put the points back in; I don't care to be a beta tester and get another one to "try out." If the potting in mine looks like the pic; I'll definitely go from being a strong recommender of the Trispark to an equally strong non-recommender.

THis is not like bad chrome plating or something that is annoying, appearance related, or doesn't perform quite as well as you had expected. A problem here will stop you on the side of the road.
 
I just removed my Tri-Spark to check it, and it doesn't look like maylar's, as the red backing plate covers the whole area of mine, so the potting compound can't actually be seen.

I'm pleased to report my Classic Twin system is still working perfectly.
 
hmmm, so now we have aluminum, blue, and black backing.

Mine is one of the black ones.
 
pelican said:
hmmm, so now we have aluminum, blue, and black backing.

Mine is one of the black ones.
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Mine's red.

As the backing plate is made of some kind of insulating material, which completely covers the area at the rear of the unit.
 
You are right - mine is completely red with the back covered as well. I remember that from when I received it...
 
Hi there,

The potting compound is an excellent product that we have used for several years with good results. This is an isolated case resulting from incomplete mixing of the uncured product. The potting compound itself is proven in this application. When this problem was first spotted we changed the procedure for mixing to prevent any future occurrence.

Changes reported in the colour of the compound do not indicate a change in the compound itself. The colour change is done with dye for batch identification.

Regards,

Steve Kelly
Tri-Spark
trispark.com.au
 
Hi there. I have a 72 roadster and have a problem with my ignition. She starts and runs fine but will stop completly with no spark and then 10 mins later go again. I am using a tri-spark unit and thought all my problems had gone away when I fitted it in november, but now with the warmer weather I dont know. I have been through everything and it all checks out fine.The only thing i cant check is the tri-spark itself. What were the symptoms of the unit that was returned? Hope someone can help me. Thanks
 
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