(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Spark Plug wires

You've already jumped to the conclusion
that it's beneficial to switch to copper
on a six volt system. I've seen no
evidence of that.
 

What does coil voltage have to do with it ?
Unless the machine has an AM radio . Use nonresistor wires and solid core wires if using points . If using solid state ignition use non resistor plugs and spiral wound ignition wires .
 
(quoted from post at 10:28:09 11/04/19)
What does coil voltage have to do with it ?
Unless the machine has an AM radio . Use nonresistor wires and solid core wires if using points . If using solid state ignition use non resistor plugs and spiral wound ignition wires .
Click to expand...

I have converted as I said in my original post to 12 volt system .....alternator, petronix ignition........thanks for your post....not sure I'm familiar with NON resistor plugs...

I have the yellow carbon fiber wires from Access or Accent.....can't remember right now not looking at it.....same ones I put on my cars that I modified to length
 
Have you read the 75 helpful hints....

27. Copper core spark plug wires make a lot of difference in spark quality as compared to automotive resistor wires.
 
Ron, to your question: "Is it still beneficial to use copper core spark plug wires if you have converted to 12 volt?"

1) First, regardless if 6 or 12 volt THAT ALONE doesn't determine what plug wires should be used.

2) Often in typical old tractor MAGNETO ignitions copper plug wire would be preferred over modern carbon core suppressor plug
wires. Similar in many old tractor stock battery and distributor coil ignitions (6 or 12 volt no difference) old fashion
copper plug wires (not carbon core suppressor) were used

BUT HERES A POSSIBLE DIFFERENCE

3) Since you later posted its a Pertronix Ignition SOME (not all) of those high energy systems use a degree of suppression in the plug wires be it spiral wound or other IE NOT copper core wires in SOME of the high energy Pertronix Ignitions.

BOTTOM LINE check with Pertronix and do as they suggest NOT what any of us here may guess.

John T
 
> 27. Copper core spark plug wires make a
lot of difference in spark quality as
compared to automotive resistor wires.?

Whoever wrote that wasn't good at math. If
you do the math, you'll find resistor
wires don't have significant loss in spark
energy versus copper.

That's not to say there aren't benefits to
using copper. But don't expect a hotter
spark.
 
(quoted from post at 15:21:42 11/04/19) > 27. Copper core spark plug wires make a
lot of difference in spark quality as
compared to automotive resistor wires.?

Whoever wrote that wasn't good at math. If
you do the math, you'll find resistor
wires don't have significant loss in spark
energy versus copper.

That's not to say there aren't benefits to
using copper. But don't expect a hotter
spark.
Click to expand...

actually...
a coil discharges to a higher voltage with resistor wires than it does with copper wires.

a capacitor discharges higher to lower resistance then it would to higher resistance.

remember ELI the ICE man. and the fact its the "coil" doing the discharge.

The points or electric (hall effect sensor) have NOTHING to do with the wire choice.
 

The higher voltage just makes the spark more likely to scatter and short out or jump to the wrong spark plug terminal .
With the pertronix on there . The wires have to be resistor or spiral wound suppression .
Never heard of non resistor plugs ? Resistor plugs are the ones that suffer the phantom failures .
 
"The points or electric (hall effect sensor) have NOTHING to do with the wire choice. "

HOWEVER when using SOME of the high energy Pertronix Electronic Ignition Systems THEY DO INDEED REQUIRE CERTAIN PLUG WIRES so it does make a difference in that case.

John T
 
You state "Copper core spark plug wires make a lot of difference in spark quality as compared to automotive resistor wires."

When using a Magneto Ignition its best to use copper core plug wires NOT automotive resistor as you call them.

"Spark Quality" ???? When the coils magnetic field collapses the ENERGY stored gets dissipated in the wires (I Squared R x time heat loss) PLUS the energy expended when current arc jumps the plug gap. I view ENERGY as a finite definable unit while "quality" is ?????????

NOTE its been a longgggggggggg time since I studied all this in Purdue EE school so no warranty but I believe the laws of physics and conservation of energy still apply so take this at your own risk lol

John T
 
(quoted from post at 12:47:59 11/04/19) Ron, to your question: "Is it still beneficial to use copper core spark plug wires if you have converted to 12 volt?"

1) First, regardless if 6 or 12 volt THAT ALONE doesn't determine what plug wires should be used.

2) Often in typical old tractor MAGNETO ignitions copper plug wire would be preferred over modern carbon core suppressor plug
wires. Similar in many old tractor stock battery and distributor coil ignitions (6 or 12 volt no difference) old fashion
copper plug wires (not carbon core suppressor) were used

BUT HERES A POSSIBLE DIFFERENCE

3) Since you later posted its a Pertronix Ignition SOME (not all) of those high energy systems use a degree of suppression in the plug wires be it spiral wound or other IE NOT copper core wires in SOME of the high energy Pertronix Ignitions.

BOTTOM LINE check with Pertronix and do as they suggest NOT what any of us here may guess.

John T
Click to expand...

Thanks John I will do that. Marvin at Petronix is always very helpful
 
You're Welcome, good idea. Its ONLY certain of the high energy Pertronix Ignitions that require suppressor wires, many elec switches can use wire core OR suppressor but Pertronix will give you the correct info..

John T
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Electronic Ignition Weak Spark
Replies
16
Views
1K
RTR
R
C
Electronic ignition
Replies
3
Views
547
old
O
E
D17 Allis chalmers series 2
Replies
12
Views
545
EasyE
E
G
8n ford tractor running bad
Replies
2
Views
269
old
O
Superbros8
Ford 4000 poor running when warm
2
Replies
35
Views
840
Superbros8
Superbros8
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top