Electronic Ignition

So i am Matthijs from Holland Europe and i am building a xs400 hardtail. You can also read that on this site. But i am having problems with mine ignition. I have a 81 with a cdi ignition. The problem is that the voltage on the coil drops to less it srops until 10Volts. So that not enough for a big spark. The problem i think is in the CDI unit. but its an American bike so here in Holland i cant get a other CDI. So i wanted to use an other Igntion but i wanted to know... Can anyone tell me what kind of signal comes from de pulsegiver. Sorry i dont know the right word i meen whats in the foto. I hope someone can help me.
This is the site from the ignition i want to use.

www.conrad.nl/nl/velleman-elektronisch-ontstekingssysteem-voor-autos-063469.html
 

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Thats not the problem Drewpy i had it conected with cabels to my car, the voltage on the coils was 12.5 volts and on the other wire that should switch to 0 volt it only drops to 10 volts. so THats not enough.
 
Your bike has a tci ignition (transistor controlled ignition). There is a test for the pickup coil in the manual. Check the ignition box that is under the battery for good connections. Make sure all the grounds/on off switches are proper. There are wiring diagrams in the forum for how the bike should be wired. If all else checks out my guess would be your TCI box has a short or a bad transistor. After looking at the pics of your bike I notice that your bike looks to be missing the TCI box and maybe the voltage regulator and rectifier. Do you have these?
 
:D Sorry xschris i think you looked at the wrong pictures... The tci box is there. Today i measured again and i think i am a step closer. When i measure with out the coils connected i measured 0 volts when it drops en with the coils connected it drops until 10 volts. The voltage regulator en rectifier are there but are not wired/ connected, but i think thats not necessary , because that is for charging and not sparking.
 
Question. I plan on purchasing a PAMCO electronic ignition, I see that I will need a new coil. Must I purchase one or two of these 5ohm coils? Also, should I purchase the solid state regulator/rectifier from mikes while I am at it too? I am in the process of building my own Harness, since the PO cut all the plugs off and was just using electric tape to hold wires together....Thanks - Lucas
 
What is your coil situation at the moment? The PAMCO is designed to work with the stock coils. Have you started a build thread of your own? Introducing yourself and your bike with its story is very helpful for advice.
 
New/er coils and caps, with points currently. Thanks Troop. Yeah I've never been really good at introductions. I've been lurking in the background for awhile. I will do that, what you said " introduce myself and start a build thread." I will post my scooters current status later tonight, along with information and questions, ideas, etc.. -Lucas
 
im a bit confused about what SOHC bikes this fits, I´ve got a 81 xs400 SE (4g5) european model. I popped the ignition cover off today, and it definently has contact points. Will the pamco fit this bike? Build thread coming up soon!
 
Anyone order one of these recently? I'm wondering how long it will take to get to my house. Just super anxious to get my 79 xs400 out on the road and I think this will do it.
 
Hey guys,

Just to help everyone who's thinking about switching over to the electronic ignition from pamco pete : DO IT !
Really, i installed it last week, bike has never run better, i'm sure it din't even run like this when it came right out of the factory !
Easy to install, easy to fine-tune and no more adjusting points !

Pete, thx man , from belgium ! :thumbsup:
 
I like it too. The smaller footprint beats even the stock TCI if you are limited on space. Once you get the 2 sides timed even, the main adjustment is easy.

Got 400 miles on my Pamco now and no complaints.
 
Super_wizard said:
Hey guys,

Just to help everyone who's thinking about switching over to the electronic ignition from pamco pete : DO IT !
Really, i installed it last week, bike has never run better, i'm sure it din't even run like this when it came right out of the factory !
Easy to install, easy to fine-tune and no more adjusting points !

Pete, thx man , from belgium ! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thank you for the feedback!

PamcoPete
 
Hay Pete, you still out there? Your email Pete@xs400ignition.com didn´t work.
I started restoring a 79 XS400. This should work on mine right?
I guess the XS400E-HD is the way to go for this. Yes?
What about the stock coils that are almost 40 years old? Probably should be replaced too I guess.
Do you have these in stock?
Any thoughts... anyone?
Please advise.
Thanks
 
stormtracker said:
Hay Pete, you still out there? Your email Pete@xs400ignition.com didn´t work.
I started restoring a 79 XS400. This should work on mine right?
I guess the XS400E-HD is the way to go for this. Yes?
What about the stock coils that are almost 40 years old? Probably should be replaced too I guess.
Do you have these in stock?
Any thoughts... anyone?
Please advise.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I think that email works as I contacted him a few weeks ago and he answered the next day. I have the original one on mine and it works just fine.

As for coils if replacing them just go to Mikes and grab a couple. Have you tried testing what you have to see if it works ?
 
Thanks for the info on the email spectra.
I had it running for a while last year, but didn´t get that far yet.
I just figured it´s best to ditch the points. The coils probably still work, just not sure if they degrade over time.
When you say you have the original on yours, you mean electronic ignition but with the mechanical advance, correct?
Still pondering that or the newer set up.
Thanks again.
 
stormtracker said:
Thanks for the info on the email spectra.
I had it running for a while last year, but didn´t get that far yet.
I just figured it´s best to ditch the points. The coils probably still work, just not sure if they degrade over time.
When you say you have the original on yours, you mean electronic ignition but with the mechanical advance, correct?
Still pondering that or the newer set up.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I had a points ignition on a 78 motor and when I pulled the cover off there was a Pamco Hall Effect on there. One of his original ones. I did have the bike running for a few but that was it. And yes it still has the mechanical advance on it.

I have thought of going with his newer set up as no more mechanical parts in there.
 

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