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[GMCnet] Never assume anything [message #269728] Thu, 15 January 2015 08:20 Go to previous message
glwgmc is currently offline  glwgmc   United States
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
Senior Member
Hi Ken,

Thanks for the operator error reminder. That is one I always assume first in a situation like this one so it is a process of elimination. The fact that I could get it to run both on points and on the module with the 9-5 jumper in place once I changed the coil polarity, and since both you and Matt both confirm that polarity shouldn't matter, I am moving to the board and if not that then the K1 start relay will be next on the list.

BTW, what was the wire you said to move?

Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
-----------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 20:59:02 -0500
From: Ken Henderson
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Never assume anything
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Jerry,

I'm not surprised that the Onan ran fine with the + & - terminals reversed
-- I'm not even sure why those markings are on there since the polarity
should not matter in the "lost spark" ignition. But the only explanation I
have for the failure to run is not one you want to hear: Operator error.
Sorry, but one specific Onan-related event tells me it's not beyond the
realm of possibiity:

Years back, when we first began installing Pertronix, I helped Bobby Moore
modify his at Bean Station. While we were doing that, a dear friend, now
deceased, with BSME and MSEE degrees from GA Tech, and many years'
experience in general and GMC's specifically, was doing routine maintenance
on another Onan nearby.

When we finished with Bobby's project, I wandered over to the other crowd
where the primary, smartest guy in the bunch, was getting LOTS of peanut
gallery help. They'd been trying for 30 minutes to get the Onan to run.
Having just come from having the wiring indelibly engraved in my short-term
memory, I glanced at the coil and said, "Move that wire from there to
there.", turned, and walked away. I wasn't 15 feet away when I heard the
engine running.

If it could happen to him, I could happen to ANYONE! :-)

Ken H.
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
 
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