----- From: "Michael Rigby-Jones" <Michael.Rigby-Jones@
> >> Better still, use a 6 volt coil with an automotive "coil 
> >resistor" in 
> >> series with coil+
> >
> >What will a 6V coil give me that a 12V can't? 
A 6 volt coil, with the appropriate resistor in series will give as hot of a spark as a 12v coil with the added bonus being that when the diode quenches the primary voltage, it 1 doesn't quench the secondary as much, and 2 produces less of a spike on the supply.
I have scoped side by side comparisons of the 2 configurations and seen the improvement with the 6 volt coil.
Of coarse the 3rd benefit (bypassing the resistor during cranking) is of no use in your application.
> >
> >> add a "condenser" (small high voltage cap) from coil- to Gnd. and a 
> >> 2.5Amp 1Kv diode from coil- to 12V.
> >
> >If I remember correctly the purpose of the condeners is to 
> >stop buring and pitting of the points. I'm not using to the 
> >coil to fire a spark plug so I can't think of a reason I would 
> >need it. The diode I can see being needed as Russell McMahon 
> >pointed out a flyback issue that most likely killed my FET.
> >
> 
> The 'condenser' actually speeds up the collapse of the magnetic field in
> the coil by preventing (or at least reducing) any arc forming across the
> points that could sustain the primary current.  A contact breaker system
> without the condenser produces a very weak spark.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Mike
> 
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