Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I have the Hot Spark on a AQ120 and it works great. I do NOT have a ballast resister and therefore the coil had to have one built in. I used a VW coil as suggested by the Hot Spark instructions.

Thanks... that's exactly what I got. Except they pointed me to a FlameThrower coil. It was easier to get... and I found it for cheap too.

I didn't get a chance to work on it this weekend... but, hopefully I'll have time soon. Too many projects going on, buying a house too. I'm defnitely not bored right now.

Hi! I finally got a pic for you. If you haven't already bought a coil, I'll go see what ours is.

nyteez... thanks for the pics. I printed them up and will see if we match up. From memory it looks like mine. But, my memory isn't what it used to be. LOL

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

VT_RainMan, Hitech,

Is your Hot Spark Ignitor still working for you?

I have an AQ130 and I took it out this weekend with my freshly installed Hot Spark Igniter and it worked like a dream for the first few hours then it died. I had a replacement Hot Spark Igniter which I swapped on the water and it worked like a dream for about another 30-40 minutes and then the 2nd igniter died the same way it did with the 1st igniter. I went to pull out the igniter after it died for a 2nd time and it was hotter than Hades! Is this a bad product or did I do something wrong?

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

VT_RainMan, Hitech,

Is your Hot Spark Ignitor still working for you?

I have an AQ130 and I took it out this weekend with my freshly installed Hot Spark Igniter and it worked like a dream for the first few hours then it died. I had a replacement Hot Spark Igniter which I swapped on the water and it worked like a dream for about another 30-40 minutes and then the 2nd igniter died the same way it did with the 1st igniter. I went to pull out the igniter after it died for a 2nd time and it was hotter than Hades! Is this a bad product or did I do something wrong?

I haven't had it on the water yet... but, everything worked for the few minutes I had it running. I have a few trailer issues I have to take care of before I can tow it to water. So, I can't be certain mine will work any better. But, I've heard of multiple people using these with great success.

What kind of coil are you using? They were really specific about it being resisted when i talked to them. It has been really easy getting in-touch with them. They are sincerely great to work with. I would call them asap.

Maybe I should get a few spares before heading out on the lake. Yikes!

 

[VT_RainMan]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

If you don't mind, Post back what they tell you.

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I haven't gotten a response back yet from Hot-Spark.

I just purchased Pertronix and I think I'm going to go that route.

The reason I'm giving up on Hot Spark is due to the weird wiring info I got last year from them and then there was the issue with having to use a ballast resistor or not using a ballast resistor. My coil is a Bosch (less than 9 mos. old), Hot-Spark specifically calls for the model I have installed.

BTW, I had to use the Volvo P1800 wiring diagram to make the Hot-Spark module work.

This is my assessment of the Hot-Spark module, it works great if you aren't running at WOT, I think that's why we were able to cruise around for hours before failure. My wife and I started our day on the water with just a bunch of long slow cruises around the lake (2000-3000rpm). Later in the day we started hauling (4000-5000rpm) for about 30-40 minutes and this is when the trouble started, the engine died, then it started, then it died again.

I made the swap to the second module and did a slow cruise for a bit and it worked just fine, after felling warm and fuzzy about the module swap I decided to open-it-up, the module worked for about another 10-15 minutes and then died. This last module was extremely hot when I pulled from the distro.

One more thing, I'm not slamming Hot-Spark, I think they have a good product, I'm just not sure if it's ready for the kind of stress a marine engine might put on it. Unlike Pertronix, Hot-Spark doesn't make mention of the RPM range of it's module. Pertronix is designed to run all the way up to 15,000 rpm, well, as we all know our motors will never spin-up that fast, but it's nice to know your ignition module can.

Hope this info helps.

 

[Hitech]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I've only had the boat out twice (other things need repair), but the Hot Spark is working fine. I ran at 3/4+ throttle for at least 30 min, 10 minute rest and the 30 min run at 3/4+ throttle again. The only time I have not had spark was when one of the wires came off the coil. Otherwise, it has worked well for me.

BTW, I replaced my coil (I questioned whether the one I had was working, so I wanted to replace it anyway) with one that had the required internal resistance. I measured the resistance before purchasing it (auto zone "lent" me a meter at the store to test it with).

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Ignition system issues on a Volvo AQ 130C

I may have been a bit harsh with my negative opinion of the Hot Spark Ignition Module; I think it might turn out to be user error on my part.

The following link gives you a bit of insight into my ignition problems.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=263280

I will let you know what I figure out later today.