My 1986 KDX200 has been getting harder to start, although it ran fine with an Iridium plug gapped real close at .018". The crummy ignition wouldn't fire even a new plug at .025"
OK, must be the stator coil. Checked the ohms; right on the money (I know; doesn't mean diddley). Hooked up my analog AC voltmeter to the red&white/black stator wires, only got ~20 VAC with a good kick--spark plug out.
Time to see just how much VAC it takes to get the CDI to fire. Hooked up my Lionel train transformer to the red&white/black CDI input side, and frame-grounded a good spark plug gapped at .018".
No spark up to the max. output of the Lionel, ~20VAC. Figured 60HZ was like the engine at 3,600 RPM. Now what? Switched to a transformer I have, set it to 50 VAC, got good sparks. Opened the gap to ~.080", no sparks at all. Tried 55 VAC, got a few sparks. Tried 60 VAC, got a few more but not consistant. I mean I used to have an old Clinton 1 1/2 HP engine with a plain ol' magneto, and it would throw 1" long sparks easily by turning the crank by hand. Yes, I know, slow voltage-rise time.
Put the gap back to ~.025", only got intermittent sparks. Tried 60 VAC again, more intermittent sparks, then POW!!!
Seems there was too much smoke inside the CDI unit, and now it's all out.
Anyone have a GOOD CDI for sale? I'll try that, and then probably end up buying a Ricky Stator coil. Anyone know if a later model CDI is better than the early ones?
OK, must be the stator coil. Checked the ohms; right on the money (I know; doesn't mean diddley). Hooked up my analog AC voltmeter to the red&white/black stator wires, only got ~20 VAC with a good kick--spark plug out.
Time to see just how much VAC it takes to get the CDI to fire. Hooked up my Lionel train transformer to the red&white/black CDI input side, and frame-grounded a good spark plug gapped at .018".
No spark up to the max. output of the Lionel, ~20VAC. Figured 60HZ was like the engine at 3,600 RPM. Now what? Switched to a transformer I have, set it to 50 VAC, got good sparks. Opened the gap to ~.080", no sparks at all. Tried 55 VAC, got a few sparks. Tried 60 VAC, got a few more but not consistant. I mean I used to have an old Clinton 1 1/2 HP engine with a plain ol' magneto, and it would throw 1" long sparks easily by turning the crank by hand. Yes, I know, slow voltage-rise time.
Put the gap back to ~.025", only got intermittent sparks. Tried 60 VAC again, more intermittent sparks, then POW!!!
Seems there was too much smoke inside the CDI unit, and now it's all out.
Anyone have a GOOD CDI for sale? I'll try that, and then probably end up buying a Ricky Stator coil. Anyone know if a later model CDI is better than the early ones?