Will auto equipment work?

[Docdoc]

I have a dwell/tach meter and a timing light I used to use in the days before electronic ignition on cars. I was wondering if anyone can tell me if these would work on my outboard. I have tried to use the timing light on the outboard and can't get it to flash although it was hooked up to the #1 spark plug. Would it be better just to remove both plugs, ground both wires to the power head and then hook the timing light up to the #1 plug wire. Would that get it to flash?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Will auto equipment work?

a timing light is a timing light. if the light is ok it will work on an outboard. the dwell tach is pretty much usless for outboard work. double check the operation of your light on your auto. and what is the power source and how is it triggered ?

 

[Docdoc]

Re: Will auto equipment work?

Rodbolt:<br />It's just a plain old Penske timing light made by Sears back in the 70s. Power comes from the auto battery (positive and negative leads). Has a good size alligator clip to latch onto the #1 plug wire.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Will auto equipment work?

Many automotive timing lights that use a "clip on" pickup work OK at lower speeds of a 2-stroke outboard, but may quit or misfire at high speeds. A 2-stroke firing at 6000 rpm is the same number of spark pulses as a 4 stroke car engine at 12,000 rpm. Most older timing lites were not designed for that.<br /><br />It's best and safer to use the "clip over the plug wire" inductive pickup, not one that has to have a bare plug wire extension that an alligator clip has to fasten on to with outboard CD ignitions.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Will auto equipment work?

wow<br /> and I thought my old penske was a dinosaur. I got mine in 74 I trhink. was one of the first penske's with inductive pickup. still use it now and again just for grins. I was about 13 when my dad gave it to me for a christmas presant.