

| Subject: | dwell |
| From: | jeff crane |
| Date: | Sat, 13 May 2000 22:54:55 -0400 |
Yes dwell angle is still a factor in transistorized ignitions. It is no longer adjustable but through software it is possible in distributorless ignitions, but no the service tech cannot do so. Dwell is expressed in degrees of distributor shaft rotation. 30*dwell on an eight cylinder engine would leave 120* of cumulative rotation for the coil to be off charge and therefore cooling somewhat. 45* on a four cylinder engine would leave 180* to cool, and 180* to charge the coil cumulatively. Simply because the distributor shaft rotates 360* of course. If you have a transistorized ignition, breakerless whatever, you can still measure the dwell angle. If the system is weak chances are you will find a shorter dwell angle when you test it. I have done this and I know it works. In fact, transistorized ignitions can and do have variable dwell periods factored into the circuitry on some applications. In reality the hall effect sensor is simply a switch and not the conductor that all current must pass to charge the coil and this leaves you many possibilities. To understand this best it is best to realize that dwell exists even in distributorless ignitions, though it is often ignored, it is a percentage of time in a given engine revolution. That doesn't matter but that it is important to realize that without contact points you do still have a dwell angle. [text/html]
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