My question is, is there a way to increase low engine speed ignition output (IE, kicking over the engine so slow that the coil is not firing unless its spun over quicker).
This is on my ATC/CR 500 conversion that I short track race with. I have to use a Blaster kick starter to fit around the frame and brake pedal. I'm using an 01 CR250 digital ignition setup modified to fit on the 500 and also have a flywheel weight. The problem is, even with the splines on the kicker shaft adjusted all the way forward so I get the most rotation out of it, when I kick it the motor is only making about 1-1.5 revolutions and is not sparking consistently because its not turning over enough. I'm already at the very start of the throw and putting my entire weight using the tip of my boot to "flick" the kick starter, so there pretty much isn't any technique tricks.
Now, I can pull the plug out and then kick it over slowly, about the same roughly as I do when its in and the motor is under compression, most of the time it isn't firing, and then sometimes it will. When it does, its a nice big fat blue spark.
BUT, I can kick the motor over just a little bit faster (but fast enough that I can't do it this quick with the plug in) and it sparks nice and blue on every kick, because the engine is getting enough rotations/speed to generate the ignition output it needs to spark. There is nothing wrong with the ignition system because it came off of another running machine and if you pull or pop start it, it runs perfectly, or if you just turn the motor over quicker it fires enough to bust your ass if your holding onto the plug. Its just the slower speeds, and less rotations out of the motor I'm getting when I have to kick it that its not getting a spark.
I have played with various plug gaps, and went on just about everything between .012 and .030. I'm using a regular old B9ES plugs...I've read in quite a few places that the split electrode plugs really don't make that big of a difference, besides I don't really think its the plug anyways but the ignition system itself before it gets to the plug. I've also already lowered the compression ratio about 25lbs and that did help to get the motor to turn over faster but not enough. I suppose I could add yet another base gasket but thats gonna really screw up my power output and the head design. Kick starter lengthening is out of the questions because if it gets any longer my foot/boot is going going to be hitting the silencer even worse then it is now. Bump/Pull/Accessory starts are out of the question because I'm not at a drag strip and when my class gets called to the grid I need to go. Besides that I'm by myself most of the time anyways.
I realise there are fuel additives and such (I've already done the 5% acetone trick) but they arent gonna do anything for me if the thing can't spark enough.
Harry in chat suggested using a condenser wired inline with the + wire coming from the stator to the coil, with the idea that it would hold what spark energy is generated at the lower speeds and then release it once its charged. I think I might give that a try and see what happens. Anyone else have any suggestions?