Gammatronix

[POR68]

Has anyone any experience with these on a 356?

[Ashley James]

It’s all simple stuff, so should be fine as long as you know what to strobe the timing to and at what revs.

[POR68]

It is different in principle from the Petronix, HotSpark etc., Ashley and still uses the points as the breaker. The timing should be the same as before, unlike the other systems, I believe.

[Ashley James]

I didn’t realise sorry. In which case it will be easier to do the timing. The idea is that points are switching very low current and so will last much longer. Idea okay, but often the heel wears out more quickly.

[neilbardsley]

According to a discussion on the registry. These are the ones to use

http://www.capacitordischargeignition.com/

[POR68]

Yes Neil, I have been following that discussion with interest and also in contact with Fred. Amazing knowledge base that he has and is very helpful indeed. I am still testing a few things for my own satisfaction at this stage. First is the Gammatronix and then a 'potted' version of a solid state capacitor that Fred has suggested to replace the condenser. I do like Fred's CD ignition and will probably finish up getting one.

Ashley, I can't see why the heel of the points should wear any faster? The Gammatronix takes the discharge 'heat' off the contact points and, my original objective, get rid of the 'condenser'. The old ones may still work for a while, but the new ones won't last long.

[mycar]

If you're looking to get rid of your condenser, ditch the points too and fit a 123 ignition distributor.

Then the job will be very much jobbed.

[impmad2000]

Why not Jonny Hart's Classic Retrofit CDI ? Will work with 4 as easily as 6, mappable, host of additional features..

[POR68]

Will check that out thanks Tim. I was thinking about the 123 and have seen them in situ, but I had already spent the coin on getting my BR18 completely rebuilt here. It is now perfect. The weak link is the condenser, in the main. I have fitted the Gammatronix as a trial and so far starts really well, idles smoothly and revs through out the range. The LED tells you what position the points - open/closed. Nice guys to deal with too.

[Ashley James]

You can get excellent and reliable electronic ignition for under £30, the main advantage being getting rid of points. You won’t get more power and you may not notice a difference.

[POR68]

What models Ash? Actually I am not so fussed with the retention of points if the stress is taken off them, they are just a switch. I have now a large collection of fully tested contemporary condensers and quite a few disassembled 'failed' ones examined. The common factor is, there is no common factor, as their capacitance varies considerably among the ones that work to some extent.

[Ashley James]

These are the system as PerTronix, so a magnetic impulse switched transistor.

Replacement Powerspark high energy electronic ignition amplifier module simonbbc https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/360703159583

[POR68]

Thanks for that. I have tried some of those (e.g., Pertronox and HotSpark) in the past and they don't seem to be entirely happy with 6v systems, and have a critical lower voltage point and degrees of voltage loss. The best available seems to be Fred Winterburn's unit which ticks all the boxes in terms of voltage maintenance and spark integrity for 6V systems. They are not so cheap.

[mycar]

Did I mention 123 Ignition ?

[POR68]

I have looked at the 123 (sorry I don't know your name), and it seems a terrific development. I have a perfectly rebuilt Bosch BR18 and I am not keen to get rid of that originality at this time. I really only want take the fallible condenser (those now available) about of the equation after two bad experiences. I am also not keen on moving to a 12v system, as that again would be a move away from what is a very original car.