Advanced Spark Diagnostics

Available as an optional extra on the GS8 and GS12 ignition modules, Advanced Spark Diagnostics allows the user to monitor the condition of the high tension voltage supplied to the spark plugs.

With this technology it is now possible to monitor the health of the HT leads and the spark plugs on an engine with up to 24 cylinders (GS12) and output an error condition when the measured value falls outside the set limits. One cylinder per engine cycle is measured, providing real-time engine condition data, which can be viewed using our advanced Spark Monitor software that provides tabular data, or our SparkView software that displays the spark traces graphically.

Easy to use, and cost effective, this technology can enable users to remotely monitor engine condition, and allow them to adjust their service intervals, as and when spark plugs need changing out, reducing the frequency of these visits.

This can also indicate internal cylinder faults or mismatch between cylinder performance highlighting problems such as burnt valves, localised air leaks and poor combustion.

With Advanced Spark Diagnostics, you can benefit from this technology if you are remote monitoring your engine. You can set maximum and minimum spark voltage and duration into the Gill software, so when the measurements fall outside of the parameters, an error code can be outputted into your remote monitoring equipment. This enables you to actively manage your engine service intervals, to potentially reduce your service costs.

Figure 1 shows a spark trace from a correctly operating cylinder, the first part of the line (a) shows the start of the spark line, this is the point after the initial plug voltage has bridged the gap.

The length of the line is the duration of the spark (b), known as ‘burn time’ or ‘spark duration’. If the line is short (Figure 2) this shows insufficient spark energy exists to maintain the desired burn time. This can be caused by one of the following:

• Loss of spark energy through faulty plug lead (high resistance)
• Fouled/eroded spark plug
• Excessive boost levels
• Excessively lean/rich mixtures
• Insufficient dwell (coil on time)

If the line is too long (Figure 3) this can be caused by the following:

• Faulty spark plug/lead (short circuit)
• Lack of compression (burnt valves, holed pistons etc)
• Excessive dwell

The height of the spark line (c) is also monitored as an indication of healthy cylinder operation. A low spark line indicates similar faults list for the long spark line above, this is due to the voltage required to maintain the spark across the gap being reduced, this may be shown as a combination of low and long spark line.