Power Arc Electronic Ignition

I'm thinking of getting the Power Arc Ignition from Old Britts for my '74 Commando. I want the motorcycle to idle consistantly for when riding in the city(stop lights,stop signs,and stuff like that). Any advice on this system. For $310 you get the ignition,coil,wires,and instalation kit. Sounds like a good deal to me.
Thanks, jan

Jan,
Do a search for Power Arc and you will find numerious threads in reference to Power Arc, pros and cons. I have a Power Arc system on my 75 Commando and like it very much. Installation was simple and straight forward.

Chuck
Saber13

Jan,

If you're really looking for a stable idle under all conditions, you should focus on the three EI systems that provide an idle-stabilized advanced curve: Pazon Altair, TriSpark, and the Boyer MicroDigital. The advance curve examples shown by PowerArc on their website do NOT offer this feature, and, if the dots on the curves indicate set points, it does not appear as though the PowerArc is capable of idle-stabilization. Since many contributors to this board have installed PowerArcs, perhaps they could let us know if they have successfully programmed an idle-stabilized advance curve on their PowerArc systems.

Oh bother, Things are not as simple minded as being discussed.

1. Fred at Old Brits Does Not Supply a flip/flog idle stabilization curve on Power Arc Because they do not need it d/t the 3 sparks per stroke below like 6000 rpm. The reason others kits need a fancy up/dn curve is their mere one spark fails to fire at times so slows engine then advances some to give poor ignition time to pressurize then over speeds so reatards to even out again. Not a bad thing at all, very good in fact, for lessor one spark misfiring kits.

2. FRed can program in what ever curve you like including Tri-sparks or other jig/jag initial curve up to pulling in some retard at top rpms the racers order up. Plus Fred's units have more than one curve to switch to - up to 4 he told me today. DAMIT I paid like $500 for this capability direct from Gary at PowerArc, so he'd selling a hi end bargain deal.

3. Fred and Gary both make a big point about 3 sparks per hit being whole 'nother ball park better running smoother. Gary sold me on tale of impossible to stop detonation hi CR Harley on race gas and best slections of other electronic wonders, till Power arc 3 sparker put in then ran best with most power on cheapest low octane fuel as burnt up quicker than hi octane.

4. Try to order special curves from any other ignition company.

IMHO, idle stability is certainly not an issue for Power Arc. I'm not saying the system is without fault but I can say that my bike can idle at 500 rpm (not that I have it set that way permanently!) all day long, and with dual-Amals no less.

I've had 3 Nortons that would idle steady to 400 rpm with points and dual Amals so not that impressed on brags about special electro brains giving a stable idle. Mainly the lack of servicing unobtainable parts in stock set up Cdo's or for impractical CR + low fuel octane in my hot rod, only PowerArch up to the job. Idle is bad for engine and don't charge battery so had to break habit of just listening to slow pitter pats very long. Boyer analog did too but not long as volts dropped it'd stall out misfiring.

Anglophile said:

IMHO, idle stability is certainly not an issue for Power Arc. I'm not saying the system is without fault but I can say that my bike can idle at 500 rpm (not that I have it set that way permanently!) all day long, and with dual-Amals no less.

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Tell me about the 2 map curve and switching between them. Did you have Fred change the rev limiter? I am thinking 7200.

pvisseriii said:

Tell me about the 2 map curve and switching between them. Did you have Fred change the rev limiter? I am thinking 7200.

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Didn't bother with the switch. I went with the tame curve and left the redline at the stock setting of 6800. I've never rev'd her past about 6200 so haven't experienced the cut-out. I just installed and ride 8) Maybe some experts can chime in. A lot of selection between ignitions out there so the choice is difficult.

Lord Enki idles well, runs well, no complaints. I went with Power Arc because it was supported by Old Brits. I have gotten nothing but quality from them and figuere if it was good enough for Fred, it is good enough for me.