Merctronic question

[johnyrude200]

I am having an issue with the merctronic I use, its a model 9800 with the built in battery. This one has a R/C rechargable battery installed.

The unit isnt working on coils anymore, as soon as I go to conduct the test its reading output even when I have the knob set to below low, and wont show spark when I turn it all the way up. Set on standard, this is how it behaves. Set on CDI, it mike give a pop or two on the air gap spark indicator when set all the way up.

The coils Im testing are known good coils.

Any recommendations?

[fleetwin]

Sorry, but don’t really understand what you are describing. I am assuming you are saying that known good coils don’t fire on the tester, even with the know turned all the way up. I am assuming it has worked in the past. To be completely honest, I’m not sure why the separate battery is needed, and what it powers. Am assuming the battery helps power the output tester. I’m sure you have charged the battery, have you checked the output voltage of the charger, perhaps it isn’t working? Have you tested the battery voltage? Hopefully, this is just a battery issue. I’m sure the electronic guys will chime in with better/more accurate advice. D

[debe]

The heart of Coil/CDI testing is the Vibrator, It may be vibrating but if the contacts are burnt they wont carry enough current. I would be checking this first. As a last resort they can be opened up & the contacts may be cleaned. Theres pictures of the Vibrator on my Photo bucket site debe5. http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/debe5 … t=3&page=2

[johnyrude200]

Ill check it out and report back! This is obviously a must-have piece of testing equipment for repair diagnosis.

Thanks!

[jeff-register]

Jonny Evin
Before trying to file the contact points clean go to an electronics store & buy a burnishing tool. This is for cleaning up contact points.
This vibrator has a part number & you might try antique electronics to see if they can match your part number to a solid state vibrator using a S.C.R. as the switching device. There are 4 different vibrators, positive & negative ground & 6 & 12 volt versions. They were used in car radios for many years. It changed a direct voltage current from battery to a crude alternating current for a transformer as a trans requires a pulsing current to function. The car used the transformer output was used to run the heaters in the tubes as heat is required to move electrons which is basic radio function. The Vib in the MOT sends an adjustable voltage to test the magneto coil or magneto transformer to step up the voltage for spark. The capacitor in the meter may have failed too. You have 4 pins on the bottom voltage in & voltage out the same current but can’t measure as meters are set to 60 cycles unless using airplane current it runs on a different frequencys
You can test ANY coil by connecting the two wires from the primary voltage ( points & ground wires) of the coil to a 3 volt battery except put a big file on the pos lead to the file & drag the coil wire across the file to make a long spark. The pulsing current as the wire is drug across the file makes the pulse & that pulse will make a coil fire.

[johnyrude200]

It sounds my machine is a lot like repairing a motor… 😉

[jeff-register]

Very much so. After removing the vibrator from the mot, it pulls out like a vaccum tube & bending straight the aluminum crimp remove the cover by pulling on the pins & cover. It has a sound deadining foam on top of the bakeolite bottom. Be VERY careful cleaning up the contacts, very fragel!
Call me if needed 480 924 4536 I’ll help you!

[brian-grigsby]

I had the same problem with mine. Jeff helped me out and told me how to clean the vibrator points, and it worked great!

[chris-p]

I use these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131063185113?_t … EBIDX%3AIT

[jeff-register]

Chris,
Thank you so much! That is a great price for 6 strips!! You are happy with them too! I’m going to order up a set today too.

[Author]

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