Zeeltronic Programmable Ignition Controller on RD400

[paul1478]

Hello,
long story, hoping someone has some insight on this.
Last year at the gap meet, Mark ride my bike and said he was hearing a ping at 8500 rpm and I need to be careful. He also suggested I get a Zeeltronic to back timing off after 8K.
Well I did not get one and seized it about 4 weeks before this years meet. Just had to hone it and add new pistons. I did order a Zeeltronic from EC and took it up with me to the gap. Chuck said he can install it for me.
We did just that and did not change timing. It was set at 21 degrees before. After installing it per the instructions we added a very simple program to do nothing from 100-7500 and then back off 5 degrees at 7500-8500 and then 5 more from 8500-10500. rev limiter set at 10500.
now, under load it struggles to get back 6200 rpm. after that it rips but seems to break up around 9500-10000.
We tried to re-program a few times no difference.
The instructions said to use resistor plugs and plug caps and we did. I swapped the resistors out of non-resistor, no change.
The instructions tells you to add a supplied resistor between the yellow and white wires coming off the pickup.
I am wondering if this may be part of the problem and was going to remove it next.
I reached out to the manufacture and they were super nice but not helpful.
Any suggestions are welcome, worst care, I uninstall this and back the timing off a little.
Thanks
Paul

[1976RD400C]

That should run fine timed like that. Maybe a little advanced at 7500, most would be back to 18 degrees. Did you make marks and time it with a light? I don't think the running problem is the timing.

[Economy Cycle John]

Have you loaded a flat curve and shot it with a timing light?  Where did you install the rotor timing wise and did you update same in the zeel box for your static timing? This is always step 1 to make sure you have control of the curve. For clocking of the rotor, check your highest point in the curve you're running and make sure the rotor carries at least that much advance.

[m in sc]

exaclty. i think the baseline of 21 degrees is off.

[paul1478]

The rotor never moved from what it was installed 3 years ago (9mm BTC)
It was checked via dial indicator and light to verify before installing the box. After the programing, checked with light and when revved it went to the retard position. 
It always ran fine. I never noticed the ping Mark was hearing. I only wanted to retard the timing a little to avoid the ping and stop (help stop) seizure. We left the base static timing the way it was (right about 9mm).

Being the rotor was never moved I assumed it was something to do with the resistors that were added or the unit. Again, it ran perfect before and the only thing changed was adding the box.

Yes, I tried to do a no curve curve and no change.

[m in sc]

verify with a light.

9mm?

[paul1478]

sorry, 1.9. what it was set at when installed by Chuck.

[paul1478]

so thinking about this, my offset would 0.
am I correct? if yes, how would I program this in?

[m in sc]

no. your static is 17.9 degrees if it is indeed at 1.9 mmbtdc. assuming it's at 21 degrees, THATS what you set the static to.  static is where the trigger actually fires the sensor. then your 5 degrees retarded is 16 degrees. so program it at 21.0 at the lowest rpm, then 21.0 at the highest rpm you want it to be at 21.0 (7500). then program it at 16 degrees where you want it to be. (8500).  or so. remember, if you don't do this it will I interpolate the curve between the changes.

[paul1478]

Thanks Mark. I will try this again when I get home. That is what I was trying to do but very well could be I messed it up.

[paul1478]

Any suggestions on a timing light that woks on 2 strokes? I don't want to spend a ton of cash and hope to only use it 1 time.
thanks
Paul

[m in sc]

something like this. yes, it has a 2 stroke setting

https://ebay.us/m/VzaW8K


or search this:

KZYEE KT60 Digital Timing Light with Tachometer


I have an actron version of this, older, thats always treated me right. i also have an innova thats... alwayy been very sensitive and a bit too sensitive.

[paul1478]

Thank you Mark. I ordered it yesterday and when I got home, it was at my door.
I did try and re-program it and think it saved but I really cannot tell. It is the part after finishing the program that I am confused.
I will verify timing, mark rotor, get a pointer together and check.
thanks for all the help so far...

[m in sc]

save ign curve, (pick 1 or 2 or whatever). load ignition curve (same number). escape out of all of it and watch the controller screen.

[paul1478]

I think I figured it out.
I watched the timing on the handheld while running.
It was set to start to pull timing at 3500.
I set a new curve and watching the handheld it is what I was shooting for.
I will still use timing light to verify once the dial gauge arrives.

Test ride pending.