Sparx

I am pretty sure that Sparx is not Tri-Spark. But why can I not find a web site for them. All I can find is Sparx electronic ignition for sale, nearly everywhere. I would like to know a bit more about them, the price is right. They weren't even listed in that thread that compared all the curves.

Dave
69S

Hi Dave,

Try:

http://www.tri-corengland.com/acatalog/ ... ducts.html

Thanks, I just found that after much searching. Looks like it comes with either a 12V double output coil or 2 - 6V coils. Advance curve is only to 13°, so really only advances to 26° and that's at 5000, but could be set to 28°. Pazon is same price, less coils, and since I have 12V coils, I need them.

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Advance curve is only to 13°, so really only advances to 26° and that's at 5000, but could be set to 28°.

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But you would not usually set the ignition timing at 0 degrees fully retarded?

The standard mechanical auto advance range is 12 (camshaft) degrees-so it would be at approximately 4 degrees BTDC fully retarded if set to 28 deg. BTDC fully advanced.

The timing method in my Workshop Manual is to set the timing with the AAU locked fully advanced at 28° and that's what I've been using over the years. The manual says to time it at 28° at 2000 rpm with a strobe, so maybe that puts the fully advanced even more depending on the springs? I remember seeing a mark on the AAU about the 12° advance, so yes that would put the retarded timing at 4° BTDC. I'm not sure what you are getting at L.A.B, are you fretting about 0°fully retarded as opposed to 4° fully retarded? Right now there is probably 4-6° of slop in my AAU and it starts and runs fine even with that slop, not that I'm racing it. But I would like to get the timing spot on and to my liking. It was my plan to get the bike running in original condition, which I have, and then do incremental improvements, EI, alternator, belt drive.....

Right now the Sparx seems to win out with the price because I can get the coils with it and hopefully I can get the Lucas look-alike coils. I also like the fact that the electronics are separate outside the timing cover, but there's been plenty of discussion about that.

I suppose the Sparx system is made in a non-western country, even if it's sold from the UK?

Dave
69S

DogT said:

I remember seeing a mark on the AAU about the 12° advance, so yes that would put the retarded timing at 4° BTDC. I'm not sure what you are getting at L.A.B, are you fretting about 0°fully retarded as opposed to 4° fully retarded?

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I'm not sure I was "fretting" about anything (perhaps the word has a different meaning in US terms?) merely attempting to point out that the advance range doesn't usually start at zero, so wouldn't end up at a setting of 26 degrees = fully advanced with the Sparx, just as it wouldn't with points as the initial setting for both is done at full advance.

DogT said:

I suppose the Sparx system is made in a non-western country, even if it's sold from the UK?

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The ignition is basically a copy of the Boyer, made in China same as all Sparx (Tri-Cor England) electrical components I believe?

DogT said:

Right now the Sparx seems to win out with the price...

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IMO stay away from the Sparx EI system...and bluntly...it's a piece of crap....seriously. There's a reason the "price is right", but it's not a good one. My restored Combat came back with a Sparx EI....on the 1st go-around, one of the magnets disintegrated inside the points cover going 70 mph after 1200 miles....all that remained was shattered pieces....stranded 80 miles from home. My restoration guy sent another brand new plate, but this time one of the magnets was loose on arrival.....arrrrgh. Third unit lasted approx. 4000 miles until the box went belly-up and stranded me 125 miles from home. Fortunately my Norton riding buddy had a spare Pazon control box in his tool bag....we wired it up roadside and it got me home.

Ordered a Pazon to replace the Sparx...and my bike was transformed. Also got a pair of Andy's 6-volt coils. Just comparing the rotor unit of the Sparx and the Pazon will immediately let you know the difference in quality.

Moral of the story...there's lots of good EI systems out there, Pazon, Tri-Spark, etc., etc. The Sparx system IS NOT one of them.

+1 :cry: on the Sparx system, Mine didn't even last that long.

IMHO sparks EI is trash!!! low cost = low quality and have seen to many issues with it. if it is my money it is either tri spark or pazon.

L.A.B, fretting was a poor choice of words on my part. Sorry. I was just confused about the difference between 0° and 4° retarded.

cmessenk, yes, I was looking at the pictures and the Pazon certainly looks better made. I was tempting towards the Pazon, but I need to get new 6V coils with it. I was hoping to keep the 'original' look to the coils. Another $100 is a big bite, but maybe not in the long run. I know there are 6V coils out there from Taiwan for $30, but maybe not worth it. I'll have to see where the Pazon Lucas look-alikes are made and if they still have the 7 year warranty.

Thanks, for the hints, all.
Dave
69S

Anybody tried the Wassell Micro system yet, as it should be good value if it's as good a quality item as the ads. say it is.
http://www.cwylde.co.uk/product.php?xProd=2574

Looks like Norvil sells it for £61.43, not sure about postage to US.

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Looks like Norvil sells it for £61.43

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That's a good price, as it usually sells for around £76 (plus 20% VAT for UK buyers which makes it around £91 GBP total.)

Chip, I'm really sorry about your experience with the Sparx unit. SOMEBODY has to be the exception to the rule, and in my case, your bike was definitely the exception. It's the only Sparx unit thats failed me in well over 2 dozen I've sent out from my shop over about 8 years. I'm keeping all mine right where they are, working perfectly with zero fuss.

Now, going forward, I have good news: JRC, who I resell through, is no longer carrying Sparx, but will be distributing the Pazon AT THE SAME PRICE.

So, for me, from now on, it'll be Pazon.

Sparx ELs have a warantee that is as good as no warantee, their reputation for quality defines the bottom of the barrel. The first and second month in business and I had to replace 3 system boxes out of my own pocket; I refuse to stock them now, and yet their 3 phase high output alternators fly off my shelves and I never hear from them again; maybe the Chinese will get the ELs right, yet. GP I think you may be lucky...

RS

My experience with Sparx ignitions remains at 100%. When they first came out I purchased two units. Both lasted less than a day and one left me walking. Jim

I have since switched to Tri-Spark in my builds, but have never had one complaint about the Sparx ignitions I have installed in the past. Very strange how some have terrible experience and others have no troubles at all.

Next ignition install I'll be trying is the new units being offered by Old Britts...should be doing that in a about a week.

I realize this is a blatant thread hijack, but what kind of experience have people had with the Sparx 3-phase alternator?

I had a sparxs ei unit. The controller box went bad after a few months and Fred replaced it even though i did not purchase the unit from OldBritts. I was a little uneasy after that so I got the Pazon unit and it has been perfect, simple, clean, precise. I have the sparx system in the bin as a spare.
I am in my third of Pazon's 7 year warrentee. At $127 including free shipping that's about $18 a year or about 5¢ a day. That's some cheap insurance that i will surely invest in again.

Purchase these directly from Pazon for the best deal.

I have had same sort ox experience with other parts from Chinese manufacturers...... Inconsistancy. Five may be great then the next few are junk.