Strobo-Spark Yay or Nay?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Strobo-Spark Yay or Nay?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher Vasconcelos in Fairhaven, MA on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 08:16 am:

Howdy folks,

I was thinking of buying the Strobo-Spark coil tester...anyone have any positive or negative feedback regarding this product?

I took my coil box apart and it looked like they were never taken out. The contacts were a bit rusted but I have taken it all apart and cleaned everything. I want to check if they are still good and the Strobo-Spark looked good.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 08:33 am:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/298518.html?1341693171

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/142860.html?1275155369


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James A Bartsch on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 09:18 am:

Christopher:

The Strobospark is one of the best Model T investments I have made. I have also tried to read everything from Coilman, Mr Regan, the Coildoctor and others that has appeared on this forum. Coildoctor even helped me with a consultation at Hershey. That knowledge added greatly to the value of the Strobospark.

Financially, you could probably do better by purchasing rebuilt coils and just go drive your T. But I learned a lot about coils and even managed to rebuild some good coils that others had given up on. If you do purchase the Stroboscope be sure to also purchase or make a copy of the point adjustment tool. (And don't pound on the coil point bridge while the coil is in the Stroboscope unit, if you do John Regan has spare panel lamp bulbs for very little $).

Respectfully, jb


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher Vasconcelos in Fairhaven, MA on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 10:39 am:

Thank you folks for the information. I don't want to fix them if they are no broken...but I just don't know if they work.

Thanks again...makes the decision much easier when you know all the information.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Zahorik on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 10:44 am:

I don't own a StroboSpark, but a few friends in our club do. I had the opportunity to compare one of the StroboSpark machines to my Allen Electric HCCT and the only difference that I could detect is that the HCCT is way heavier. And the StroboSpark allows you test the capacitor. I like my HCCT, as long as it can stay on the bench. The StroboSpark can be taken anywhere. Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 10:46 am:

Christopher:

You and put your mind at ease by checking the electrical values of the internal coils..... if they are ok, then the units can be rebuilt. Do a forum search and find the info you need.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 10:49 am:

I rebuild my own coils and have a friend who owns an HCCT. He sets them up for me. It's not something you do (lets say) frequently. I agree with James that purchasing a set of re-built HCCT'd coils from whomever you choose is probably money better spent. HCCTing is a kind of art. You gain it through experience. It involves sight, sound and a knowledge of exactly what needs adjusting to achieve that magic single spark at all points plus there's more that one adjustment that may need to be done on each coil. Perhaps a Strobo Spark unit it easier to use but still you have to learn what to do to reach your goal. Your possibly once every few years use of a Strobo negates the cost of buying one. Unless of course you simply must! Again, if I was in your situation I'd invest in a professionally rebuilt set.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 11:19 am:

I used one and am very happy with it. The Strobospark costs the same as switching your system over to one of those......never mind.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Mullis on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 08:29 pm:

I bought my Strobospark about two years ago.
It is probably the best "Model T" investment that I have made.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BRENT MIZE on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 11:50 am:

The Strobospark allows me to see how the coil responds with increased voltage at upper engine rpm's
The HCCT fires the coil with relatively low voltage. The Strobosparks actually operates the coil at 400 engine rpms which is very much like it will operate in the car. It also allows the points to rest in between firing. It detects the first spark. This is very important.

For me the most valuable part of the tester is it's ability to fire the coil at different magneto outputs. A coil can look fine on the HCCT but once placed in the StroboSpark on high output, you will occasionally see the dreaded double spark. If you can see it, it's very easy to deal with. The HCCT will not allow you to see the doubles due to it's relatively low voltage output. The coil is a current device, however the increase in voltage can and will effect the coils output, ie; double sparks. The SS takes a little getting used to, but once you know what it's telling you, you will be happy you purchased one. I agree that it takes a lot of practice to know what the testers are telling you and how to deal with the points to fix the problem.

John Regan did an amazing job designing and manufacturing this valuable tool. John didn't pay me to say that. I firmly believe it.
I use both the HCCT and SS in my business and will continue to do that.

I do get a lot of practice, doing about 800 plus coils a year.

Respectfully,
Brent, The Coil Doctor


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 12:08 pm:

"Aye. That's the rub" John. Practice.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Barker, Somerset, England on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 01:23 pm:

That will be a 'yes' then.....

(and I agree, having had one of the first in the UK, set up for 50Hz AC)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Vaughn on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 03:46 pm:

I agree with Brent 100%. I don't build 800 coils a year but typically do 75-100 per year. The SS makes the job a lot easier and the coil function is more accurate than on my HCCT. Properly tuned coils can be the difference between a running car and a great running car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Dailledouze on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 02:12 pm:

Anyone have any info on the ECCT software? Who does it, still in business, is there an interface device between the coil/coil tester and the PC?

Thanks...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 02:18 pm:

Chris,
Check this link out for current info:
http://www.modeltecct.com/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BRENT MIZE on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 02:48 pm:

All testers have strong points. The trickiest part of the coil rebuilding process is knowing what to look for and how to repeat the process to fix any issues. Ron Patterson shared his process in detail with me several years ago. By following his process you should be able to learn how to repeat each step to obtain a properly functioning coil. The most important part is learning to adjust the spring cushion tension, regardless of the tester you are using. Paying attention to small details and points alignment makes the job easier. My advice is regardless of the tester you decide to use, learn as much as you can about how it works and why and stay with it. The HCCT has been servicing us well for 100 years, but the Strobospark is more portable and it has added features. The price is also substantially lower than a restored HCCT. I cannot comment on the ECCT, since I have not used the device.
Brent


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Dailledouze on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 07:10 pm:

Just as a follow up on my question. I have seen a screen shot of a software Program running on a pc, does the ecct interface to a pc? If not and not the same ECCT does anyone know of the software program?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 08:22 pm:

See the link a couple of posts up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Sunday, November 30, 2014 - 06:24 am:

I LOVE my Strobo-Spark. It only needs to be purchased once and it lets me fine tune my coils whenever I wish, check coil rebuild candidates, tune rebuilds, help friends, etc. John is fantastic if you ever need to call him with a question. I never have regretted spending the money to buy my Strobo. The smallest adjustment can make such a difference and this tool lets you see that. Very helpfull in getting all the coils set as close as possible to each other as well.

I do use the HCCT to check spark plugs though.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Housego (United Kingdom) on Sunday, November 30, 2014 - 04:35 pm:

The Strobo-Spark is an excellent piece of equipment, I have used one for a number of years and refurbished >300 coils with it to date. I use this in parallel with a home made tester which consists of a timebase so I can run individual coils at any given engine speed, mainly as a final test. It also displays on an oscilloscope display the coil firing pattern, current and multiple sparking.

Home made coil test set


Upper trace = Timer contact
Lower trace = coil firing pattern


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Housego (United Kingdom) on Sunday, November 30, 2014 - 04:42 pm:

Not sure why no pictures in my last post, trying again with smaller file size...

Home made coil test set



Upper trace = Timer contact
Lower trace = coil firing pattern


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Sunday, November 30, 2014 - 05:00 pm:

Christopher-
My local Model T Club purchase a Strobo-Spark for all the members to use. I love it. If the price is a concern, go in with a couple of buddies.

-Keith


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