The failure of Altmann AMM-P2 ignition module

altmann amm-p2 ignition module

altmann ignition sensor plate

Symptom
Engine was stopped suddenly on the highway and couldn’t restart. No fire was identified on the rear spark plug.
Cause of failure
Ignition system
Background
Shortly before engine stopped, the following symptoms sometimes occurred.

-Engine speed can’t increase smoothly above 3,000 rpm.
-At 2,800 rpm or less, engine operates normally.

Parts

Cam position sensor, Ignition module:Altmann Micro Machines

Comment

The cam position sensor seemed to operate normally. So I assumed that the ignition module might be wrong.
I told the symptom to Charles Altmann (Altmann Micro Machines) by email and asked possibility of failure of his product.
Soon I got a reply from him.
He advised me to take a sniff of the module box. I did it and found the module box smelled bad.
He gently explained me the situation.
The high voltage current passing through the plug code always seeks and finds the place to discharge. Sometimes cylinder fins or wire harnesses around ignition coils could be the place.
This time, the high voltage current leaked from plug code discharged to the wire harness and it flooded into the ignition module.
As a result, the transistor in the ignition module was burnt.
A burnt transistor stinks.

altmann amm-p2 ignition module

I sent him some pictures that of around ignition coils.
He looked at them and told me that the clearance between plug codes and signal cables connected to the ignition module was too close. It should be wider to avoid unexpected discharging.

He also mentioned that the dual plug setup is not recommended because the second plug code is located between two push rods and the clearance between the plug code and push rod covers is so close.
This causes unexpected discharging easily.
There is another risk we should accept when running with dual plugs.
The high voltage current flows from the ignition coil to the first plug and then to the second plug via engine itself and returns to the coil following the same path.
Dyantek coil forms electric loop and these elements are connected each other with single road.
It means that the failure of one of these elements is the complete failure of the whole ignition system.

dynatek green coil dual fire

I understood what Mr. Altmann said in his email, however, I didn’t give up dual plugs.
I put Dyna-2000i into my FXR instead of AMM-P2 to get back on the road.
AMM-P2 has some good points. 3 rotary switches located on the side of ignition module box are ones of them. We can change ignition map easily and whenever we want even when we are running on the road. Someday in the future, I may try AMM-P2 again.

dynatek dyna2000i

Restocked – FXRD FXRT fairing Aluminum Speaker Covers

FXRT, FXRD fairing aluminum speaker covers

FXRT, FXRD fairing aluminum speaker covers

3 sets of “aluminum and brass speaker covers” for FXRD (FXRT) fairing are restocked.

A6061 Speaker Covers with Brass Plates Ver2 for FXRD fairing

FXRT, FXRD fairing aluminum speaker covers

This time, I changed material of the base parts from A5052 to A6061 with the intention of improving the overall look of the products.

FXRT, FXRD fairing aluminum speaker covers

Each speaker cover is consists of a6061 aluminum base part and etched brass plate.
Mounting hardware (brass slotted screws and wellnuts) are included.

*The dimensions of the base parts and Harley-Davidson original plastic covers are identical.
*When installing, minor modification (enlarging the holes for wellnuts) is necessary.

FXRT, FXRD fairing aluminum speaker covers

On the Derby Cover swims Goldfish

harley-davidson shovelhead evolution derby cover

Derby cover with 3 mounting holes for Harley-Davidson Shovelhead and Evolution big twin models.
The base part is machined from A6061 aluminum alloy.

Harley-Davidson Goldfish derby cover

Goldfish and 2 gears on the surface of brass plate are realized by etching.
Etching differs from printing. Watching the surface carefully, you will notice the convex and concave figures.

shovelhead brass goldfish derby cover

Brass plate is fixed to aluminum body with 8 rivets.

riveted brass shovelhead derby cover

Harley-Davidson riveted derby cover

The following picture shows installation example. The derby cover is put on the Shovelhead FLH primary cover.
Mounting bolts are not included.

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Harley-Davidson fxr goldfish derby cover

Harley-Davidson brass aluminum derby cover