Another Tri-spark Complaint

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Beach

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Installed Tri-spark 5 years ago in 1974 Commando. First one failed about 2 years after installation. Sent to Australia to be be checked, and was found to have a bad trigger circuit. It was replaced under warrantee and bought extra stator for $150. Installed this and was fine for bit over 2 years and went out again. When it gets hot the bike would quit and not start until it cooled off or the extra stator was installed. Tri-spark wants me to buy an updated stator for another $150. I am going to cut my losses and throw these 2 stators in the garbage to never fail again. It never ceases to amaze me how people can continue selling a flawed product.

Now I feel better.
 
I also experienced the hot TriSpark failure problem about 2 years ago. It was replaced under warranty and has worked fine
since. I believe I read that TriSpark had upgraded their product due to this overheating problem. If it ever fails again I
will be moving on to a Pazon.
 
Just curious, what are you running for a coil or coils?
 
Seems ironic that if you look at posts, seems there are far more posts of problems with any of the various E-ignitions than there are problems with the OEM system. Sometimes makes me wonder about "upgrades..." ;)

FWIW, I bought a trispark when they first came out -'07 or '08 maybe? I guess I'm lucky; it has worked perfectly ever since.
 
Seems ironic that if you look at posts, seems there are far more posts of problems with any of the various E-ignitions than there are problems with the OEM system. Sometimes makes me wonder about "upgrades..." ;)

FWIW, I bought a trispark when they first came out -'07 or '08 maybe? I guess I'm lucky; it has worked perfectly ever since.

Three letters to make you think better... AAU.
 
Seems ironic that if you look at posts, seems there are far more posts of problems with any of the various E-ignitions than there are problems with the OEM system. Sometimes makes me wonder about "upgrades..." ;)

FWIW, I bought a trispark when they first came out -'07 or '08 maybe? I guess I'm lucky; it has worked perfectly ever since.
This is true of any product. Why would everyone who is happy with something feel motivated to write a "I like it" post. If you encounter a problem however, this is the place to try to find a solution before tossing it.
And my impression is that many of the EI "problems" are actually due to poor installation, bad wiring, weak battery, or something completely unrelated to the EI.
BTW - I installed a Trispark four years ago after many problems (and posts) about another brand EI.
I LIKE IT!! :D
 
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This is true of any product. Why would everyone who is happy with something feel motivated to write a "I like it" post. And my impression is that many of the EI "problems" are actually due to poor installation, bad wiring, or something completely unrelared.
If you encounter a problem however, this is the place to try to find a solution before tossing it.
BTW - installed a Trispark four years ago after many problems (and posts) about another brand EI.
I LIKE IT!! :D
Mine worked great for two years. As long as I rode in cool weather or let it set and cool off before restarting. In 6000 miles it has failed twice. This was installed exactly as it should have been, even with Tri-spark coils and a brand new wiring harness with extra ground. I love the timing and function of this unit, but the heat is a known killer of this ignition. Maybe the answer is to not run the point cover. Whatever the answer is, I will not be finding out. I could have bought 3 Pazons for what I have invested in this junk.
 
Beach.... I did not mean to imply there are zero problems with the Trispark - sounds like you are one of the unlucky ones.
What kind of air temps do you typically ride in?
 
I did not mean to imply there are zero problems with the Trispark - sounds like you are one of the unlucky ones.
What kind of air temps do you typically ride in?
The temps when it just failed was high 70s to mid 80s. Not extremely hot. Tri-spark suggests a gasket between point cover and engine to keep it cooler. Stephen said they have new one with different potting.
 
Here is part of email from them.

Hello Bill,


Sorry to hear the unit is not functioning for you. I suspect you will need to order a spare stator unit. When installing the new one I would recommend inserting a rubber gasket between the cover and the engine to allow the points cover to run cooler.


The spare stator is SPR-0005 A or B depending on your engine. We have a discount code you can use in the checkout. We have updated the Classic Twin since you purchased yours and it has some new features:


• A new test mode that allows for easy testing at the press of a button, on the bike or bench.

• Higher fault tolerance to high voltage spikes.

• A robust module encapsulated for moisture, oil and vibration resistance using a new softer material (long exposure to water and oil is not recommended).
 
I bought a T150v Trident with on installed think it was dated 2009. It would cut out now and then. No help from TriSpark as
I didnt buy it. So bought a new one in about 2014. No trouble since then. This is the unit that has the remote black box.
But since that time I ve bought 3 Pazons one for my Norton 850 and two for my two Enfields. The Altair is on the Norton
the analogues on the Enfields. I cannot say I notice any difference between the two. Seven year guaranty is appealing.
 
Tri-Spark here. Maybe ten years. I did have a small wire under the points cover break one time, easy fix beside the road. It was my fault for not making sure that that wire was stabilized with Tri-Spark's supplied foam pad. I did install an insulating gasket a few years ago. Original coils. California so usually moderate to warm ambient temps.

For me, I'm sold by the simplicity, all under the points cover, no need to finagle a spot for a black box up under the tank.
 
I bought the TS for three reasons. 1. duplicated the OEM advance curve (I would use the OEM ignition system over an E-ignition that does not). 2. It all fit under the point's cover. 3. I liked the idea of the additional ignition retard at kick start speed.

If it didn't do 1 and 2, I wouldn't have considered it. I would have just left the OEM points/AAU in place which worked perfectly well though, of course, they required periodic maintenance. But it wouldn't bother me to go back to them; the added maintenance doesn't really amount to much on the scale of Norton maintenance! ;) And since you can precisely set the timing for each cylinder (assuming you have accurately determined TDC/the marks on the rotor/ timing scale), the Oem system gives you a capability that E-ignitions do not!

Does it matter? Well, we're not talking competing in a Moto-GP here so...no. :)
 
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