Mallory Ignition Mallory PORTABLE IGNITION TESTER 28357 - Manual (Page 2)

PAGE 2
5
0
1020
30
4
0
50
60 70
8
0
9
0
EXAMPLES OF RPM AND CYL SELECT SWITCH SETTINGS
Example: 5600 RPM, 8 Cylinder
FIGURE 1
4
0
10
20 30
4
0
5
0
60
70 80
9
0
Example: 4200 RPM, 6 Cylinder
FIGURE 2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
When checking a coil separate from the ignition, or an
ignition without an amplifier box, the spark will probably
“fade out” about 3000-4000 RPM (8 cylinder setting).
This is normal. The test plug is a very heavy load.
Amplifier equipped ignitions will normally operate to
higher RPM.
It’s a good idea to use the tester once when the ignition
system is known to be operating properly, to establish a
baseline for future tests. In future tests, if the spark looks
or sounds significantly different from the baseline, some-
thing is wrong with the ignition.
The front dial on the tester is very accurate, which makes
it very nice for checking RPM limiters, tachometers, and
RPM activated switches. To check a limiter or RPM
switch, just start testing at a low RPM and increase it with
the dial until the spark stops, to check limiters, or until the
RPM switch activates. Then read the RPM on the dial.
NOTE: If there is a discrepancy between your tachome-
ter and the RPM dial on the ignition tester, the tach
reading is inaccurate. For example, if the dial reads
7000 and the tach reads 6800 when the limiter stops
the spark, the limiter will rev limit your engine at 7000
RPM, even though the tach reads 6800. It is not uncom-
mon for tachometers to be off by 200-500 RPM. RPM
switches and on-board computer readouts are usually
closer, but it’s still a good idea to check them.
The RPM dial can be locked at any value. Simply push the
locking lever at the top right of the dial downward toward
the cylinder select dial.
The 9-volt battery will operate for a LONG time in typical
usage. When it goes dead, the red light on the front of the
tester won’t come on. When the battery is nearly dead,
the red light may blink at low RPM.