| 4k Onan Pentronics Upgrade [message #116205] |
Wed, 23 February 2011 09:36  |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Last summer I upgraded my 4k Onan with a Pentronics module. I "found" my camera and pictures and finally posted the pictures. I was guided by the postings of others but a 4k is smaller so to positioning ended up a bit different.
It makes the Onan run MUCH better and gets those poorly designed points out of the circuit.
TWO NOTES:
SAFETY: It doesn't take much for the Pentronics module to fire the plugs. If there is any fuel vapor near the spark plugs it can fire unexpectantly. If in the cylinder, the generator may fire with 'bad' results.
--- I had a backfire, but it could have started from turning the flywheel by hand. ---
Caution: After getting the first module in and during the wrap-up of the install, I killed the module by shorting the wires to the hot terminal on the starter. $63 mistake. I had to wait for another module in the mail. 
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37858>
While any 12volt negitive ground module (see below) should work, I used the lowest priced module that had the mounting bracket (rivets) on the side away from the "hot" side of the sensor. It is the "1181" listed for use in most GM products 50's to 80's.
The cheap module I used doesn't have built in burn out protection that is built into the slightly more expensive Petrionics II (red) module. While the Onan control board SHOULD provide keep this from being a problem... it is 60's tech. Next time I MIGHT spring for the few dollars more to get this added protection.
I suspect that even a magnet-less "lobe sensor" (LS) module would work if you used a small chunk of steel in place of a magnet. But I haven't tried it... it cost more than to other two types.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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