[Spridgets] Pertonix vs. Points Vice 123 System

Dean Hedin dlh2001 at comcast.net
Sun Mar 15 17:15:52 MST 2009


This is starting to sound like the silicon vs. conventional brake fluid debate or 
the brass vs. stainless sleeve master rebuild debate.

If there are failure issues with the Pertronix, these can only be attributed to either
a manufactuing defect, or a usage/ installation problem.

Ignition module failures from the manufacturer are not unheard of.  Ford had a big
recall with thier ignition modules some time ago.   This was caused by the fact that 
the ignition module was mounted to the engine in a hot place which did not bode well
with components within the module that had different rates of thermal expansion.

Despite the above I have never encountered an ignition module failure in all the modern
daily drivers I have owned.

There is one case that Pertronix mentions on their website that could account for many
of the problems people have encountered:

"Leaving the ignition switch on when the engine is not running, can cause permanent damage 
to the ignition system, and related components." 

The above applys to points systems as well.  But it would be nice if the Ignitor was immune to 
this.   Lots of LBC coils have been cooked in this fashion.

There are two other scenarios that I am aware of that are very hard on automotive electronics. 
1) Jump starting a car.  There is an Intel application note that goes into great detail about this.
     What happens is there is a large voltage spike that occurs as the alternator regulator kicks in
     when you attach and remove the jumper cables.
2) Arc welding on a car without disconnecting things.

So if you have a Pertronix and are worried about protecting it then I would never jump start 
your car.  Always find a charger.

There is not much inside the Pertronix chunk of epoxy.  The electrical components probably 
cost less than $5.   You are paying for all the molding & engineering they had to do to get 
the Ignitor to fit into all the different applications.  

Still, it would have been nice if they threw in a spare module with the kit so that you are never 
stranded.  Additional modules should also be lower cost than the initial price as well.


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