Lost and cornfused

[Gary Lewis]

Ray - That's a really good read.  Thanks!  (Is that Daniel Stearns in the pic at the bottom?)

Here's what he said about fusing:

You'll want a 15A fuse, and you'll want to carry spares.

Not far off of my 20A suggestion.  And I agree about the spares.

And, the waveforms are very telling.  The spike to over 20 is impressive, and the sustained spark is awesome!

And, I'm sure you two are right that you could do this with a DS-II's PIP to trigger it.  And you could put the HEI module in a DS-II case and no one would be the wiser.  

Bill - The EEC-V system uses an E-coil.  How hot is that system?

[85lebaront2]

I'll have to put the MAC scope someone gave me on it, I know the plugs gap at .042-.046". Check this video out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJhIC_8ImYI

[Gary Lewis]

Does that MAC scope even work after its overland journey?  Can you take a pic of the waveform if you get it to work?

Wow!  1" of spark!  And it was HOT!

[85lebaront2]

I actually used it on a 1989 French G30 trying to figure out why it would shut off. It was owner induced, he had swapped the engine box and the safety shutdown system the state of VA had on it when it was theirs shorted against the insulation foil backing.

It worked just fine, how about the DS-II tester?

[Gary Lewis]

It also works well.  Fortunately I haven't had to use it very often, but it works when I do.  

[Hstrymkrs]

I am swamped at work right now, so I will be out of the loop for a couple more days. I hope the distibutor arrives soon, and I will call D.U.I. to ask about the setup and If they recommend a fuse size. I will be following along in the shadows when work isn't beating me up. This time of year always gets a little more intense.

William

[Steve83]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

...losing my ignition while out on public roads...

By "rapidly", I meant "seconds after turning the key to RUN the first time".  If it lasts beyond that, it should last until there's a fault in the circuit that threatens the wiring.  If that happens in traffic, it's still preventing fire in the harness.

ArdWrknTrk wrote

If none of the rest of the harness is going to get hurt, I'm going to fuse it for the rating of the relay (30/40A)

Yes, I think that could seriously hurt the rest of the harness.  And it's unnecessary.  You don't size a fuse for the strongest component in the circuit; you size it to be the weakest link in the chain.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm thinking the weakest link in the chain is going to be the unified ignition.
DUI probably has a suggested fuse, at least they say to run a 12Ga wire.
Maybe they say what their ignition draws. (not going to look it up on my phone)

Either way the fuse should probably be a slow blow type rated a bit above what the ignition uses.
Engine heat and small amounts of oxidation can cause resistance to go up in that new circuit.

[Gary Lewis]

I just published a new page: Literature/1985 Literature/1985 Body Builders.  Go to the Appendix tab and then scroll to Page 21 to see Ford's guidance on wire current capacity.  And they say #12 is good for 30 amps.

That's more than I would have thought, but I don't build millions of vehicles either, so what do I know?   

[Frank Wyatt]

Yeah and the charge wire on my 60 amp alternator MIGHT be 12 gauge. That explains why I've seen such an improvement every time I've increased it to an 8 gauge wire with a fuse inline.

[Hstrymkrs]

Wow. Very busy week with work and the family. No problems, just busy life trying to be responsible and prioritize things properly. The D.U.I. distributor has arrived, and I hope to install it later this week with the information I get from Performance Distributors and the forum input. I will keep you all posted.

That thing sure is a monstrosity.

[85lebaront2]

Yes, people have run into problems on 460s with it not clearing the thermostat outlet and thermal vacuum switches.

[Gary Lewis]

And now you see why people put an HEI module on a DS-II dizzy.

[Hstrymkrs]

Maybe. However, I am feeling good and adventurous about it. Onward and upward...

[ArdWrknTrk]

Glad to hear the pieces are coming together William!

Be sure to post some pics of the install.

[Gary Lewis]

Yep.  And, tell us how you wired it so we can ensure we have it right for others.

[Hstrymkrs]

Yes, Sir. I will give a full report when I am done...one way or the other.