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 • Ignition coils - transformer type vs oil-filled?

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 • Ignition coils - transformer type vs oil-filled?

Posted by AnthonyD at 12-12-2006 21:43
Beyond the slight weight savings what is the general feel about transformer type ignition coils? Are they any better or worse than an oil-filled coil in a Formula Vee?

Thanks heaps in advance for any help.
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Posts: 10

 • Re: Ignition coils - transformer type vs oil-filled?

Posted by supervee at 23-12-2006 12:17
Anthony
Bottom line for a Vee? No difference.

The transformer style coil has the coil windings potted, or enclosed in some kind of resin.
The oil filled coils are just that and so are more resistant to overheating in event that an old points/coil ignition system (which they were designed for) was left on and the points were closed.

The transformer coils are essentially designed for electronic ignitions that fix a dwell time and so only ever have, say, 3.5 miliseconds, of juice applied to them and thats only if the engine is running.
This style of coil, if left switched on in a points application could possibly overheat and eventually fail where the oil filled can style of coil has a much better heat sinking capacity and will cope with far more abuse.

Use whatever looks the best M8
L8tr
E
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 • Re: Ignition coils - transformer type vs oil-filled?

Posted by AnthonyD at 26-12-2006 20:32
Thanks for the info.

For what it's worth I've swapped over the transformer coil to save an odd 180grams. Haven't been out on track since installing, but on initial engine warm up and reving just off idle, the engine is now notably smoother. Less inclined to stall now when first started, and once warmed up it has removed the stutter I used to get when going from idle to about 3000rpm on a fastish opening throttle. Both are very welcome side effects I wasn't expecting. Just to prove I wasn't imagining things, I quickly swapped back to the original Bosch oil coil I had installed and the engine went back to its old behaviour.

So overall I'm happy with the change, but I certainly have noticed the coil gets warm very quickly and makes a humming noise letting you know the ignition is on.

Thanks again,
Anthony
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Posts: 10