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Sun Distributor Tester - Convert to LED

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Bronco2

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May 30, 2016
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There are many old Sun Distributor Testers that just need the strobe light replacing to be operational again. But those lights are near impossible to find and fairly expensive if you do find one. I designed a solid state circuit which uses a high power LED to replace virtually all the old electronics. I originally did the conversion on a model 504 but the circuitry is the same in many others. The cost is less than the strobe tube alone. If anyone is interested you can contact me for details.
 
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39SixSedanMan

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Oct 4, 2012
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I am starting on the restoration of a Sun Model "O" distributor tester and am having zero luck finding a schematic or component ratings. I'm very interested in your LED conversion and had considered the same.
This tester has a wooden cabinet, but a similar variable speed drive and rotating platter as others. It also carries an automotive coil to drive the trigger of the flash (I conclude).
Any help from members would be VERY VERY appreciated.
Pat
 
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39SixSedanMan

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Some older photos of the Model O Sun Distributor Tester.
 

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39SixSedanMan

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More photos...Now partially disassembled. Still have found no one with knowledge of this ancient of the ancient distributor tester, Model O.
Pat
 

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Distributor Doctor

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Nov 8, 2017
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Bronco2 said:
There are many old Sun Distributor Testers that just need the strobe light replacing to be operational again. But those lights are near impossible to find and fairly expensive if you do find one. I designed a solid state circuit which uses a high power LED to replace virtually all the old electronics. I originally did the conversion on a model 504 but the circuitry is the same in many others. The cost is less than the strobe tube alone. If anyone is interested you can contact me for details.
Click to expand...
I need two LED kits , can you please send me details.
I don't normally use forums, being a bit too long in the tooth.
Could you pleasse reply to [email protected] Thank you .
 
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redvalkyrie

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Nov 12, 2006
Messages
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I've been looking for a working King or Sun dizzy curve machine forever and they all seem to either be broken or restored. If anyone has something that works but isn't pretty please feel free to message me here or at [email protected]

I'd totally be down for a led conversion too.
 
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Tallpilot

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Jan 13, 2017
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Orlando
This is a cool project. I hate to make anyone feel old but this probably belongs in the vintage tool section. :beer:
 
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mrholmquist

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Aug 25, 2015
Messages
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Bronco2 said:
There are many old Sun Distributor Testers that just need the strobe light replacing to be operational again. But those lights are near impossible to find and fairly expensive if you do find one. I designed a solid state circuit which uses a high power LED to replace virtually all the old electronics. I originally did the conversion on a model 504 but the circuitry is the same in many others. The cost is less than the strobe tube alone. If anyone is interested you can contact me for details.
Click to expand...

Could you please send me this information ...
 
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txvwnut

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Jan 1, 2015
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Location
Bedford, Texas
Stu doesn’t get on here much anymore, you might try sending a PM through the forum and if that doesn’t work let me know and I’ll send him an email. His kits are great, well made and easy as pie to install.
 
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Bronco2

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YES, I'm still offering the LED conversion kit. I do check the forum once in a while but it's best if you contact me directly.

Stu
 
7

71fordramair

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Feb 6, 2023
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San Diego east county
Bronco2 said:
There are many old Sun Distributor Testers that just need the strobe light replacing to be operational again. But those lights are near impossible to find and fairly expensive if you do find one. I designed a solid state circuit which uses a high power LED to replace virtually all the old electronics. I originally did the conversion on a model 504 but the circuitry is the same in many others. The cost is less than the strobe tube alone. If anyone is interested you can contact me for details.
Click to expand...
I have acquired and Alan Synkro graph with no working bulb. I think I would like to start by putting it to LED if you have a kit I am interested. Thanks. [email protected]
 
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sabebbe

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Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
1
Bronco2 said:
There are many old Sun Distributor Testers that just need the strobe light replacing to be operational again. But those lights are near impossible to find and fairly expensive if you do find one. I designed a solid state circuit which uses a high power LED to replace virtually all the old electronics. I originally did the conversion on a model 504 but the circuitry is the same in many others. The cost is less than the strobe tube alone. If anyone is interested you can contact me for details.
Click to expand...
Possible to order your kit to get my Allen synchrograph working again?
 
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Schurkey

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Oct 27, 2011
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Sun 504 LG 01.JPG
Yeah, I'm interested. E-mail sent.


I had an Allen Synchrograph--a little desktop unit--before I bought the Sun. The Allen went underwater in a flood, and that was it for that unit. I'd even modified it to accept mag-pulse distributors.
 
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Schurkey

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I did that something like thirty years ago, so the details are a bit fuzzy. Four-pin HEI ignition module mounted to a heat-sink somewhere on the inside of the unit, primary wires of perhaps 18-gauge leading from the W and G terminals to the exterior of the cabinet. They'd connect to the mag pickup on the distributor. Polarity matters, you want whichever way works best--which generally provides the most advanced timing.

The B+ and C- terminals got connected with 14- or 12-gauge primary wire to the "ignition" coil + and - terminals that powered the strobe light. Kinda thinking there was a ballast resistor in there, so the B+ would connect on the higher-voltage side of the ballast resistor. (Check the voltage available. The HEI module should be good to 17 volts at least short-term, 14-ish preferred.)

I must have provided a ground wire from one of the ignition module mounting screws to the chassis of the machine.

I don't remember how--or if--I provided switching for the normal "points" triggering vs. the mag-pulse triggering.

I did all this when I thought I'd "invented" a way to put a Chrysler reluctor and pickup coil on a GM points-type distributor, and needed a way to check my work. About a month later, I visited a "speed shop" in the larger town eighty miles away...and found someone was selling a ready-made "electronic conversion" kit for GM distributors using Chrysler parts, to do what I'd just accomplished grinding by hand.
 
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Bert_

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Dec 24, 2016
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NW Iowa
Are the flash tubes really that hard to find?

I remember replacing the flash tube in a timing light probably 10 years ago. At that time I found one at RadioShack and it was not overly expensive.
 
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Schurkey

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Oct 27, 2011
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The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
My understanding--and perhaps I'm wrong--is that it's not the flash tube that's the problem. Maybe more accurately, it's not ONLY the flash tube.

There's electrolytic capacitors in the circuit, and the electrolytic caps have a predicted service life of 20--30 years. They're way beyond that expected service life.

I'd been planning to replace all the electrolytic capacitors in my unit, (possibly upgrading the circuit to film capacitors instead of electrolytics, just like I've done with my stereo speaker crossovers) but if I can get a modern circuit board at reasonable cost, I'd just replace the whole works.
 
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