Ignition Tester Operation Question

[jonathan75]

I couldn't resist to pick up this ignition tester for $2.50 clearance at Northern Tool yesterday. But how does it work?

Here is a picture, you can see a heat cone (insulator) but no center electrode. Is it hidden deep but still can spark to the ground and become visible? Or is it defective and missing the electrode?

 

[1949 caddyman]

Thats the way it is. It tests the max spark ability . I think about 50K voltage or so to jump the gap.

 

[jonathan75]

Thats the way it is. It tests the max spark ability . I think about 50K voltage or so to jump the gap.

Thank you, so if the spark is weak it won't jump the gap. Makes sense that it will only show you if it is strong enough.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Mine has a center electrode. I think yours is missing it.. I would suggest going and looking at other ones at Northern to be sure.

 

[signcrafter]

Mine has a center electrode. I think yours is missing it.. I would suggest going and looking at other ones at Northern to be sure.

The picture on the package in his post shows no center electrode. I need to pick one of these up sometime soon. Hook it up and ground it and if the spark jumps gap it has good spark. I *think* I read it was somewhere in the 30K range.

 

[jonathan75]

Mine has a center electrode. I think yours is missing it.. I would suggest going and looking at other ones at Northern to be sure.

Google image search shows both ways. So maybe they changed production at some point.

 

[joel63]

They make (made) two different types; one for high energy ignition systems, without the center electrode, and one for conventional ignition systems with the center electrode showing.

 

[jonathan75]

They make (made) two different types; one for high energy ignition systems, without the center electrode, and one for conventional ignition systems with the center electrode showing.

Thank you for explaining that.

I probably can't use it on my Toyota's but at least I have it for possible future use.