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Very useful information, Bill. I now have a
much better understanding of the relationship of the plugs to the wires and the
ignition system. Thanks for thaking the time to write/send it. Paul
Conner, hoping for DAR inspection the first of the week.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 10:15
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: (unshrouded plug
?)required wrench
They should work fine. I just felt that for a system set up for
maximum spark power, I didn't want to have a big resistance in the
plug. I have no idea whether you would ever notice the
difference. I expect Paul Yaw would.
The
resistor is there as a "ballast" to limit the peak current. You need high
voltage to strike the arc, but once the arc has formed, the resistance across
it is low and it takes very little voltage to sustain it. Without the resistor
in the plug, very high current flows, eroding the electrode and shortening the
life of the plug. Also, the high current produces a high magnetic field,
causing radio interference.
The
resistor also helps to increase the duration of the spark. There is a fixed
amount of energy stored in the coil for each spark. Without the resistor, a
high current flows. The energy is then quickly spent, resulting in a shorter
spark
duration.
Additionally,
you can "burn out" some types of spark plug wires by using non-resistor spark
plugs. The wire can't handle the extra current and goes open-circuit.
Most
cars have "magnetic suppression" type spark plug wire these days. It is a long
coil of thin wire wrapped around insulating fibers. It acts as an inductor in
the circuit. This tends to make the current much more constant during each
spark.
With
electronic ignition, it is not uncommon to have both magnetic suppression wire
AND resistor plugs. They act in concert to limit peak current, to smooth out
the average current, and to reduce radio (and computer) interference.
If the
coils and ignition control module you have selected were designed to use
magnetic suppression wires and resistor plugs, you would probably be smart in
continuing to use these type plugs and wires. The higher peak current from
non-resistor plugs can also damage the coil or ICM if they are not designed
for that use.
Just my
eight cents. :^)
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