In the pursuit of the various types of electronic ignitions found on MZ's over the years, I have recently found one that is in my opinion quite brilliant.
As you may know, most of the type of ignitions, whether it be aftermarket, or one of the 2/3 original German types found in 251's (and later ones with Turkish built machines with another type as standard implemented in the stator unit), are what is called Hall Effect type sensor. And in short is a magnet on a rotor on the end of the crankshaft that as it passes the timing plate interupts signal. The sendor unit itself on the plate is typically a simple transistor, which is what gets effected by the magnetic field of the passing rotor. This is a reliable and well developed system and found on most vehicles, depending on quality/new price of the car since at least the 80's. Other types of systems include Infra-red as a common alternative, and indeed a home-makable. These work by the LED being interupted but by a key in the cam rotor that allows it to be passed (to fire). These were also common as kits for retro-active on 6v systems as sold by Burwins for example. Problem with Infared/LED systems is both dirt/debree and liquid (ie Rain) can interfere with timing.
Original type box as found in 251 wiring diagrammes. They are quite large, and there are not too many around anymore. However MZ-B do make re-production modules of exact inside wiring. However, the reproduction item I had was very much substandard- Indeed, it prevented the battery from charging at all when in use! I'm not a fan of the direct reproduction replacements provided by lots of companies (those include regulators and coils etc).
All the units I can find, original or otherwise have a box associated with the 'kit' that contains the electronics. Whether this is the large plastic box containing mid-80's tech resistors, transistors and diodes etc, or a later type.
Lots of you I am sure are using the PowerDynamo systems sold by MZ-B. But they are an expensive bit of kit, as they include stator and rotor and a few other items, that I do see the positive side of (for example- it is a self exciting bike with this system installed).
2 years ago I purchased this aftermarket system, which does have electronic box I have mentioned a little bit before. It does however have the benefit over the original factory system of a much more substantial cooling system, as well as 10/15 second coil signal shut off and an LED, helping you identify your timing much more precisely. I have used this for 10,000 miles now and I have not had any problems with it. It is reliable, consistent and maintenance free which is what everybody wants in timing
Recently my friend in Hungary showed me this item, which I have also seen on one or two youtube videos in various guises:
It has a major component that is not including the LED timing light on the board (where you would want it if anywhere). But it has all the electronic components found inside those large boxes, on the timing plate itself! There is but one wire in the kit, as well as the sendor rotor. Fiddly wiringharnesses!? Seems that has gone. You re-locate the coil wire that comes from condensor on the contact breaker set, to one of the terminals on the timing plate, and the included wire connects the other terminal to the other contact on the coil.
The lack of components in this new system means that it is actually quite cheap too! The electronic ignition I already have with the large aluminium cooling fin system on the box and the 6 wires to connect up was £65. This new system from Muller Electronics was £40, delivered from Hungary.
Now... Do not get me wrong - I am currently reserving judgement, as I am going to install this new contactless ignition soon. This post is a write up on my experiences with this new electronic ignition and a review. The only downfall I can see in the small print (at the moment) is that max voltage this item can withstand is 16v DC. Which to me is a very close tolerance to potentially being blown and unusable if your charging system is not on par! As all other electronic ignitions other than PowerDynamo, this item is only a direct replacement to the points and does not at all interfere with the charging system bar 20mA draw.
Watch this space!
