Question for John T and others

Ellis Kinney · Sep 5, 2020

IN SIMPLEST TERMS please explain why different spark plug wires are required for electronic conversion kits.
Thank You Ellis

Eagle Beagle · Sep 5, 2020

This is an excellent question. There are solid copper core wire sets, carbon" graphite " sets and then there are the sets that Pertronics sells that are spiral wound metallic around a carbon core.

Very confusing.

Beagle

Hayfarmer · Sep 5, 2020

I have read the discussions on here about needing no copper core wires for Pertronex ignitions. I have 2 tractors that have been running with Pertronex ignition for 10 plus years, with solid core wire. There are different levels of pertronex systems, maybe mine are old ones. Whe I purchased them I don't recall anyone saying I needed different wires. I also have one on a Ford engine in a jeep and it has silicone wires I think. It does fine too. Perhaps some wiser folks will chime in here but I will continue to use my tractors as they are because it works.

John T · Sep 5, 2020

Ellis, you asked for SIMPLEST TERMS so here's my simplest, albeit not exact or perfect I'm sure, best pure guess/answer.

Due to the high energy, possible RF radiation, and potential higher voltages (subject to plug gap and other operation) its my understanding that Pertronix:

1) Requires some degree of suppression/resistance in their plug wires so as to provide a degree of buffering which pure copper does not

2) I believe they offer some spiral wound wires which provides some "inductance" into the HV secondary to accomplish some of the above.

3) Suppressor wires are necessary to reduce possible RF interference that may affect their sensitive electronic switching..

Hey no warranty on this one whatsoever, it may be right it may be wrong as rain, so don't anyone have a calf now, this is getting above my pay grade. Im more into old tractor DC and AC Power then "electronics"

John T

Stephen Newell · Sep 5, 2020

Regular wires will burn out the electronic ignition. Graphite wires should be used with an electronic ignition.

MarkB_MI · Sep 6, 2020

I'm pretty sure the reason suppression plug wires are required is to reduce high voltage spikes in the primary ignition circuit. Solid-state switches don't like high voltages, and will fail over time if measures aren't taken to suppress voltage spikes. The resistance wires help dissipate coil energy and reduce "ringing" in the primary circuit.

JMOR · Sep 6, 2020

(quoted from post at 13:50:30 09/05/20) IN SIMPLEST TERMS please explain why different spark plug wires are required for electronic conversion kits.
Thank You Ellis

hat has been posted regarding electronic 'noise' reduction, spikes, ringing, etc. Pertronix did not specify secondary wiring for many years, but a few years ago, began doing so. Over time, they likely determined that the suppression wires reduced their unit failure rate. So, in conclusion, the best reason to use such wires is probably longer life for your rather expensive module.

Ozlander · Sep 6, 2020

(quoted from post at 14:54:11 09/05/20) I have read the discussions on here about needing no copper core wires for Pertronex ignitions. I have 2 tractors that have been running with Pertronex ignition for 10 plus years, with solid core wire. There are different levels of pertronex systems, maybe mine are old ones. Whe I purchased them I don't recall anyone saying I needed different wires. I also have one on a Ford engine in a jeep and it has silicone wires I think. It does fine too. Perhaps some wiser folks will chime in here but I will continue to use my tractors as they are because it works.

Yep, 25 years plus with solid copper wires.

Question for John T and others

Ellis Kinney

Well-known Member

Eagle Beagle

Member

Hayfarmer

Well-known Member

John T

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member

JMOR

Well-known Member

Ozlander

Well-known Member

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