No spark on new Pertronics Ignition

[TheHummerguy]

List
I was running fine and then all of a sudden I tried to start my 43MB that was jsut converted to 12v with a 6v Gen spun to a 12v.....I changed the oil and tried to start it and nothing.
I get no spark at the plugs...I get 12v at the coil though when I turn the key on so I beleive the ignition switch is good....did I fry the pertronics ignition?
Is the coil toast...the coil is an autolite 6v.
Help please.
The only thing I remeber was I did open the Distributor cap to look at the new unit....I suspect it has something to do with it.

[Fred]

hello ,


check the wire between the coil and the cap.


cheers

[Bob N]

This is a mod topic but I will respond here. Check the wires that were mentioned. I need you to clear up a point (no pun intended) from your post for me.

The jeeps is now 12 v? If so, then get a 12v coil with an internal resistor. I boughtthe Pertronics brand because at the time, I don't think Ron was selling the NOS look alike. IF he has them in 12v AND they have an internal resistor than that's the way to go. IF NOT then you could still use his resistor but you will need to wire in a voltage drop resistor...guys have posted about this before. Since I don't use that method, I have forgotten what the part numbers are or what ol' vehicle you can get it from.

Also did you purchase the petronics for 12 or 6v? I am using the 12v version because my jeep was converted to 12v looooooong before I every bought it. Since I was familiar with 12v and couldn't readily find 6v parts back before the Internet days, it made sense to stay with 12. The pedigree of my jeep is too clouded to ever be considered for showboat status so it suits me to even now to leave it at 12v. Though I would like to do as you have done and hooked up a 6v size genny turning out 12 v. I have purchased a genny that is supposed to be 12 and is about the same size as a 6. But I haven't found a 12 v regulator...I have a 6v...one of these days I will see if any one is making an electronic conversion fof 12v regs like I understand they are doing with 6.

Let us know how it all plays out. Good luck.

[John]

Bob-I bought a M29 weasel and originally thought it was 6 volt because of the regulator. It looked just like the one on my jeep. It turns out the weasel is 12volts, but the regulator looks identical externally. Put a posting on the weasel website, m29cweasel.org and you may come up with a 12 volt regulator for your jeep.

John

[John]

Bob-I forgot to add, they also had 12volt generators, but I haven't sat down and looked at it to see if it is the same configuration as the jeep.

John

[Bob N]

Thanks John. I guess the other problem then becomes...well THAT regulator work with my generator? I know nothing at all about generators and regulators, especially about mixing parts together.

[John]

Bob-Take your generator into an automotive electric place and let them bench test it. They can tell you the voltage(and maybe how many amps it can turn out) and if the thing is even working. The auto electric guys can tell you how to wire it, or just do it the same as the WW2 jeep is done.

I'm no wiring genius, but I think you can stick any regulator on it that is the same voltage, the regulator only limits the power output from the generator, turning it on and off as needed. Your ammeter should coincide in amperage to the regulator output so it can read amps correctly.

A weasel generator is supposed to be a 40 amp unit. The regulator part number is G179-06-37475 and I would assume it to be 40 amps, but I'll have to go outside and look at the weasel to know for sure.

John

[TheHummerguy]

I was told by the electronics guy who installed it that the old 6v coil was sufficient as is and no mods were made...is this correct.....He installed a Pertronics 1541 part no
We could not get the number off the distributor because the plate was so far gone.....can only see the Autolite name on it.....is it possible it the ignition did not turn it of the new pertronics unit is toast....the install guide states if you leave it on it will burn it out.
I can only try the basic TS techniqes with no spark...new coil or points "pertronix"...but I wil need a new pertronix to test it I guess.

As far as the regulator, It is just a standard off the shelf 12v reg, the Gen was re-wound to 12v from 6volts...the gen was dead so it made this decision easy.

[Bob N]

Replacing the coil is you quickest cheapest route. If you jeep is 12 volt get a 12 volt coil. I can't say anything about your electronics guy but I used all 12 volt parts and it worked fine from the very first time. You need the new coil anyway so you might as well try that first. If that doesn't work then get the new pertronix parts. It shouldn't take you 10 minutes to swap out the old. Do you still have the instructions? Makes me wonder if the fellow installed the kit correctly. There should be two wires coming from the unit, the two wires go to either side of the coil.

Good luck.

[TheHummerguy]

Allright...It turned out to be a fried coil...seems the guy who did the work says the old 6v would work fine with the new 12v system but he installed nothing to knock down the voltage.
I took it to a guy in Concord near my house, I brought him the Distributor,cap,rotor and ignition...tested it on the bench for free.
I purhcased a new 12v unregulated coil for 39.00
Fired right up when I got home and installed it.
The guy who tested it said he was not awre that you could use a 6v coil in a 12v system without a ballast resistor to knock down the voltage.
Thanx all

[Bob N]

"unregulated"? I guess it won't do any harm. I know when I tried running a coil without a resistor and no resistor in line it fried the points...but then you don't have any points to fry. The only question is what will be the impact, if any, on the pertronix unit. As I said, I run a pertronix coil with the internal resistor with my pertronix unit. Works fine. Hope that works for you too.

[TheHummerguy]

I may be wrong about the unregulated Coil...it says "no external resitor required"...it must be built in.

[Bob N]

Good! Sounds like you are all set then. How's it running?

[TheHummerguy]

I use by thumb on the floor start button and even sitting outside in the cold overnight I just tap it and it starts......I gotta tell ya,it's hard to beat the 12v system over the 6v system.
I know a lotta people don't like it for the lack of purity but this jeep is a good around towner...not for the shows but parades will do fine.
Thank you.