HT leads

Electronics has never been my strong point, but I'm currently trying to sort out the ignition on my latest I/C engine, all that's really needed now is connecting up the four contacts in the distributor to the plugs and the lead from the coil to the distributor. I bought some cored H/T lead, but at 6mm diameter its a bit big and would look clumsy coming out of the distributor. Does the team think that standard electrical cable is suitable for this application.

Thanks.

Depends on the HT voltage, but usually you will experience arcing to nearby metal and burn through of insulation on IC ignitions using regular PVC insulation wire over about 1200 to 1500 V.

Some test meter leads are silicone insulated and are good to 15000 V. Check with an electronics supply firm. These leads are about 3 mm dia. They are not inexpensive though. The electronics supply place may be able to recommend an alternate high voltage wire also.

I did once use silicone fuel line over a regular PVC insulated wire on an RC aircraft engine HT lead and it worked OK at least for the day I messed around with that engine for a friend.

If there is no grounded metal within 10 or so mm of the wire and the wire can be stretched taut, a bare wire may work also.

JD

It can be had in smaller diameters, this sounds like the silicon insulated stuff Jeff mentions, have a look on S&S's site

I have some that is about 1/8" dia that came from another American ignition supplier.

Green Sparkplug do a 5mm HT wire if thats thin enough

J

Edited By JasonB on 30/04/2013 17:27:56

High voltage and current Silicone wire can be had from 90 % of RC model shops.

4mm O/D approx 2 mm core and 30+ strands £3.50 / mt

Suggestions

Overlander, BRC hobbies, Giant Shark, Puffin models, Als hobbies, Inwoods, Slough models ,

RC model world, Steve Webb etc

Regards Clive

What has also been used is electrical test meter leads.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

The HT wire from an old CRT TV set should be OK, or the wire for a piezo igniter for a gas stove. Also Teflon insulated HT wire used in valved radio transmitters, these wires are about 3 mm over all diameter. Ian S C

Decent HT leads can make a huge difference, even if they look silly

An amazing amount of leakage can occur from weedy or old HT leads

The difference can add up to a healthly engine note with no misfires, especially on older engines

I was amazed at the difference decent leads made to my clunky mk2 escort over 30 years ago

Edited By Ady1 on 01/05/2013 15:24:58

I was amazed at the difference decent leads made to my clunky mk2 escort over 30 years ago

Even with modern ignition systems I have found it necessary to replace HT leads more than once on modern cars.

Neil