CA's ExactFit coils. Anybody else have 'em?

[junior varsity]

Interesting. I kinda figured the coils are relatively bullet proof / fool proof.


Which bike do you have? I'd be interested to know if its an issue related to heat with the igniters or the coils...

[Staggerlee]

Yeah, I'm thinking it's a heat/resistance issue as well, since it runs fine before things get to temp.  I have checked the primary & secondary fields (both cold & hot), and there's no appreciable change in resistance though, which is puzzling.

It's a 2000 M900.  Looks like I'm the only fuelie guy to try 'em so far. 

[junior varsity]

So no igniters on that bike

[koko64]

I thought that those coils were specifically for carbed Monsters.

I wonder if they are in the correct Ohms range for your model's ignition requirements.

EDIT: I checked the Cal Cycle site and they should be ok for a 2000 ie. It's the green writing above the product listing under the parts guide in the Ignition section. Worth double checking.

[ducatiz]

any indication where they are made or who makes them?

[Staggerlee]

I talked to Chris today and he's as baffled as I am.  He's sending another set to me riki tik to see if maybe I just ended up with a bum pair.

I wonder if they are in the correct Ohms range for your model's ignition requirements.

Yeah, we talked about that.  He has a customer with an MH900 who's using the coils with no complaints; same 1.5 ECU that I have, so that should rule out any compatibility issues.

For shits & giggles, I ohm'd out my stock coils against the CA coils just to see:

Stock Primary: 5.2 & 5.2
Stock Secondary: 18.42 & 19.17

CA Primary: 5.8 & 5.9
CA Secondary: 20.89 & 20.54

The secondary windings on each were measured through the 5k ohm resistor cap.

I'll update after I receive the replacement coils; should have 'em in hand by this weekend.

[krista]

Well crap.  I must have drawn the short straw 'cause they make my bike run like poo. Reckon I'll need to call Chris and see what he thinks.

Yeah...  And big compliments to your troubleshooting; thanks for calling in. Wasn't aware there was a thread.

Yeah, I'm thinking it's a heat/resistance issue as well, since it runs fine before things get to temp.  I have checked the primary & secondary fields (both cold & hot), and there's no appreciable change in resistance though, which is puzzling.

It's a 2000 M900.  Looks like I'm the only fuelie guy to try 'em so far. 

The manufacturer sent us a pair of sample coils once we worked out the specs and Candice was the first to try them on her 2003 M620 -- same feedback that Zina had when we tested the Dyna coils on her `95 900ss/cr back in `98. Improved smoothness at low rpm / opening throttle conditions and maybe improved starting.

any indication where they are made or who makes them?

These are made to our specs by a company in China. We scouted around and the best results come from there. It works well when I ask for the best product modern technology can manufacture, rather than worry about price. We probably pay 2 or 3 times what they are as provided to Ducati.

Pretty sure he's found an overseas (not that that's a bad thing) manufacture to supply them per his specs.

Yes... it kind of saddens me that I consider quality of manufactured goods in the US to be second or third rate.    I was going to get the spark plug cables from the LA region (which is where I start all of my buying adventures) and then I got a sample from a Chinese company that totally blew away the US wires. Almost twice as many strands of the conductor itself (19 vs 10), plus the silicon jacket is so much better on the imported wires.

In the next couple months, I'm going to set up a test bench so I can attempt to quantify actual changes with coils, wires, etc. I got an oscilloscope and have enough parts laying around that I've got what I need to put it together. Your magical mystery coils are going to be a part of that!

Chris

[ducatiz]

Thanks!

[671M900]

So I have the good ol' Dynas, any reason to switch over other than the fact that it fits without a bracket? I like the fit just fine, and am considering going to a DIY igniter bracket holder as I have no airbox.

[krista]

So I have the good ol' Dynas, any reason to switch over other than the fact that it fits without a bracket?

Nope. I consider them to be equivalent as far as the rider's experience is concerned. We should have switched to our own years ago, but it was how they changed their design a few times, it got to where we weren't able to cut the long ends off anymore. I'm actually quite happy that we do not need to make the adapter brackets and build hardware kits! That added an epic amount of work to selling those. Everyone here dreaded when we had to do another run of coils kits...

Chris

[CannedIce]

Install video from Chris: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=69439622253D5B8D

[671M900]

Install video from Chris: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=69439622253D5B8D

I LOOOVE how when it zooms in on the actual install of the cable to the coil, the camera keeps focusing on the monster in the background, haha....

[ducatiz]

For shits & giggles, I ohm'd out my stock coils against the CA coils just to see:

Stock Primary: 5.2 & 5.2
Stock Secondary: 18.42 & 19.17

CA Primary: 5.8 & 5.9
CA Secondary: 20.89 & 20.54

I tried this with the Dynas that I got from Chris that are on my 900SS -- only checked the primary though.  I got a straight 5.0 on both of them.

I wonder why the new CA model has a much higher impedance?  Usually people go lower to get a bigger spark.  Some folks were even putting the 3Ohm models on their older bikes with decent result.

Or are these defective put putting in too much resistance?

[Howie]

I tried this with the Dynas that I got from Chris that are on my 900SS -- only checked the primary though.  I got a straight 5.0 on both of them.

I wonder why the new CA model has a much higher impedance?  Usually people go lower to get a bigger spark.  Some folks were even putting the 3Ohm models on their older bikes with decent result.

Or are these defective put putting in too much resistance?

Primary impedance needs to be compatible with your ignition modules.  Output voltage is dependent the amount of turns in the winding.  My guess is one of Staggerlee's coils has a winding that is opening or shorting when temperature builds.

[Staggerlee]

Well Shit.

First off though; huge thanks to Chris & Candice.  I had a pair of replacement coils in hand two days after speaking with Chris.

However, it would appear that my Monster is a high maintenance little pregnant dog.  There is clearly nothing wrong with the coils, as this new pair does the exact same thing.

Full disclosure:

Brand new DCPR8E's gapped at .036   
Brand new NGK 8515 plug wires w/ 5Ω resistor caps
Power & ground to each coil is correct (spade terminals are different sizes, just like OEM)
Full charge on battery
Full bag of gas
etc
etc
etc

I checked the new ones with a multimeter before installation; I didn't write down the values but it was real close to the first pair.

It ran like a striped-ass ape for about two blocks, then wouldn't idle.  I limped it back into the garage and shot this video immediately after dismount:

M900 Cough Cough Sputter Cough
I tossed the OEM coils back on, and went for a two hour ride with nary a hiccup.

Now what?