Tri-Spark and Podtronics

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I get dealer news from Tri-Spark, I got the following from them late last week, it may be of interest to the group:

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PODTRONIC SINGLE-PHASE VOLTAGE REGULATORS NOT SUITABLE FOR USE WITH TRI-SPARK


Do you have customer with the problem of misfiring at 3000 to 4000 RPM but not at idle? This can sometimes be caused by problems with the charging system. We recommend running the engine with the alternator disconnected briefly to see if the problem clears.


The misfiring is likely a problem with the Podtronics Single Phase Voltage Regulator POD-1P-Max (CS-4035, JRC 17-104A), 12v 200-watt rectifier – regulator. We have recently discovered that it is causing excessive noise interference.


The Podtronics Single Phase Voltage Regulator is not suitable for use with Tri-Spark Electronic Ignitions. The noise interference is severe enough it could affect any electronics on the bike.


We have developed a filter that eliminates the problem that we now attach to every Podtronics Single Phase Voltage Regulator we sell.


The Podtronics Single Phase with Capacitor (CS-4030) is an excellent alternative as it does not suffer from the noise interference.

All the best.
 
It would be nice to know what the filter is exactly. I have a feeling that after shipping that $16 part will be $50. It's probably $1 worth of components. Someone should cut open the heat shrink and take a look inside.
 
It would be nice to know what the filter is exactly. I have a feeling that after shipping that $16 part will be $50. It's probably $1 worth of components. Someone should cut open the heat shrink and take a look inside.

Probably just a piece of wire wrapped around a ferrite loop, that’s all they usually are.
 
Probably just a piece of wire wrapped around a ferrite loop, that’s all they usually are.

Tri-Spark and Podtronics


Judging from the bumps it looks more like resistors and maybe a capacitor?
 
We had problems too in France , and it was also noticed on Britbike forum, nice to have feedback from that filter .......
 
Is this a Podtronics brand issue specifically?

I have tri spark in place and a single phase regulator in place but damned if I remember the brand name of the regulator.

Or is this one of those mass produced pieces from the ChiComs where the brand name is added leaving the factory or later.
 
My money's on a ferrite toroid coil.
Tri-Spark and Podtronics

I don't think that will work. Note that Trispark offers a Podtronic with a capacitor to solve the problem. The standalone filter is probably just that for Podtronics that don't have the capacitor.
 
Any issues with a three-phase alternator and Podtronics reg/rectifier with a Tri-Spark?
 
Tri-Spark and Podtronics


Judging from the bumps it looks more like resistors and maybe a capacitor?

I have the 120 watt version of the Podtronix and the Tri-spark ready to install. Hoping for no problems.o_O Seemingly, the 120 Watt version does not affect proper running, but if problems do crop up, I'll come up with a L/C filter out of the junque box. May resort to checking the operation of the circuit with a scope if the problem persists.

This may sound totally backward, but Tri-Spark needs to deal with this--not necessarily Podtronix. Given the apparent evidence of the problem, the Tri-Spark unit is way too sensitive to spikes or other electrical noise generated by external sources, not necessarily exclusive to the Podtronix unit. In my opinion, this is a serious design flaw on the part of Tri-Spark.

~998cc
 
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I have the 120 watt version of the Podtronix and the Tri-spark ready to install. Hoping for no problems.o_O Seemingly, the 120 Watt version does not affect proper running, but if problems do crop up, I'll come up with a L/C filter out of the junque box. May resort to checking the operation of the circuit with a scope if the problem persists.

This may sound totally backward, but Tri-Spark needs to deal with this--not necessarily Podtronix. Given the apparent evidence of the problem, the Tri-Spark unit is way too sensitive to spikes or other electrical noise generated by external sources, not necessarily exclusive to the Podtronix unit. In my opinion, this is a serious design flaw on the part of Tri-Spark.

~998cc

Serious might be excessive, depending on how widespread this is. Maybe it's just the Podtronix that is noisy.
 
This may sound totally backward, but Tri-Spark needs to deal with this--not necessarily Podtronix. Given the apparent evidence of the problem, the Tri-Spark unit is way too sensitive to spikes or other electrical noise generated by external sources, not necessarily exclusive to the Podtronix unit. In my opinion, this is a serious design flaw on the part of Tri-Spark.

It probably does sound backwards to many, but I agree with you. Given the popularity of Podrontics and the fact that the issue is also likely to be caused by other such things, Tri Spark should see this as an issue.

We can’t blame them for not knowing something they didn’t know! But now they do, that capacitor should be fitted as standard to all their units from now on IMHO.
 
Fair point. We can do that as well. But there may be other manufacturers and other sources of ‘noise’ around now or in the future. So it seems to me that Tri Spark should seek to make their products resistant to such things.

They’ve got two choices. Blame everyone else whilst allowing the problem to persist, or fix it. Only one of those provides a solution that is within their control.
 
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TriSpark isnt on the low end of the product price scale. To add a can isnt huge money for them but having problems is huge brand wise.
Remember that early TriSparks for Tridents definitely had issues which were later resolved but cost me the price of a new unit as I wasnt
the original purchaser, it came on a bike I bought. Fair enough I suppose but it did seem a bit of a public relations mistake to me.
 
Probably just a piece of wire wrapped around a ferrite loop, that’s all they usually are.
correct
1. one wire in, one wire out...inductor

My money's on a ferrite toroid coil.
Tri-Spark and Podtronics
Certainly a strong candidate +1

I have the 120 watt version of the Podtronix and the Tri-spark ready to install. Hoping for no problems.o_O Seemingly, the 120 Watt version does not affect proper running, but if problems do crop up, I'll come up with a L/C filter out of the junque box. May resort to checking the operation of the circuit with a scope if the problem persists.

This may sound totally backward, but Tri-Spark needs to deal with this--not necessarily Podtronix. Given the apparent evidence of the problem, the Tri-Spark unit is way too sensitive to spikes or other electrical noise generated by external sources, not necessarily exclusive to the Podtronix unit. In my opinion, this is a serious design flaw on the part of Tri-Spark.

~998cc

2. LC of course will have 3 leads...1&2 are the series pass and #3 is the capacitor shunt to ground.
3. yes the ignition must be designed to function in the electrical environment it is meant to be run in.

Why aren't we blaming Podtronics?

4. The old podtronics was designed and built by Bob Kizer(RIP) WAY before trispark and pazon even existed. Bob and I talked as master technician contemporaries several decades ago about mags and electrics in general. That is when we ran things like magneto's, points-coil, analog boyer and lucas Rita.
5. The podtronics was to give the Neanderthals an option to quit bitchin about the zener and discreet rectifier.
6. John Healey owner of Coventry Spares bought podtronics years ago from Bob (RIP).
Further technical changes are now not likely to come without outside EE design assistance.

7. deleted for political correctness
 
The E-Smith tachometer now comes with a resister that is to be installed in series with the tach pickup wire if using a Trispark ignition. This is - they say - to eliminate interference with the tach caused by the TriSpark. Interestingly, I had no issue at all with the tach/my Trispark WITHOUT the resistor but I do have a problem with the speedo resetting itself under high load/RPM. It does not appear to be bad connection or vibration - only occurs at higher RPM under high load. Doesn't occur at the same RPM/low load and is not affect by road conditions.

I don't know if the issue with the speedo resetting is Smiths problem or TriS's problem... ;)
 
The E-Smith tachometer now comes with a resister that is to be installed in series with the tach pickup wire if using a Trispark ignition. This is - they say - to eliminate interference with the tach caused by the TriSpark. Interestingly, I had no issue at all with the tach/my Trispark WITHOUT the resistor but I do have a problem with the speedo resetting itself under high load/RPM. It does not appear to be bad connection or vibration - only occurs at higher RPM under high load. Doesn't occur at the same RPM/low load and is not affect by road conditions.

I don't know if the issue with the speedo resetting is Smiths problem or TriS's problem... ;)

Are you running the single phase podrontic ?
 
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